The base variant of the all-new Duster is being offered with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Renault has launched the all-new Duster in the price range of Rs 10.29 lakh to Rs 18.29 lakh. With the Duster and the upcoming Bigster (7-seat Duster) and Bridger (sub-4-metre SUV), Renault will aim to strengthen its presence in India. Duster has already received a great response in the market, with the strong hybrid variant (upcoming) completely sold out by 2026. Here, we are taking a look at the base variant to better understand its market potential.
New Renault Duster ‘Authentic’ base variant – exterior features
Renault is offering the new generation Duster in five broad trim levels – Authentic, Evolution, Techno, Techno Plus and Iconic. The base Authentic variant gets sharp LED headlamps and sleek top mounted LED DRLs. The lighting elements have ‘Duster’ written on them, prominently placed in the centre. The side profile looks suave and sophisticated, which is a hallmark of the attractive design of the new generation Duster.
Key highlights include square wheel arches, steel wheels in blacked-out finish, body color ORVMs, door trims with Renault logo, blacked-out B pillar and C-pillar mounted rear door handles. At the rear, the Duster base variant gets Y-shaped tail lamps, Duster lettering and a strong bumper design. Along with the base variant, buyers can choose from color options of Moonlight Silver, Stealth Black and Pearl White. There are 7 color options in the top variant.
While the new Duster base variant seems suitable for budget-oriented buyers, there are a few things missing. At the front, the base Authentic variant lacks LED fog lamps or a silver skid plate. There are no alloy wheels, shark fin antenna or roof rails in the side profile. At the rear, missing parts include silver garnish on the bumper, taillamps and a connected LED setup for the rear wiper and washer.
New Renault Duster Authentic – Interior and Features
While a 7-inch instrument display is available with the base Auth variant of the 2026 Duster, there is no infotainment screen. In place of the infotainment screen, the base variant gets a stylish blank panel on the dashboard. This complements the premium finish of the cockpit area. The base variant features an all-black interior theme with an exciting contrast created by accents in silver finish.
Other key features include fabric seat upholstery, an illuminated glovebox, coat hooks, one-touch LED cabin light and two cup holders. While the air conditioning is manual, rear AC vents are present. The base variant has auto headlamps, height-adjustable driver seat and tilt and telescopic steering. The new Duster Authentic base variant misses out on features like panoramic sunroof, leatherette seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and soft-touch finish. These features are available with higher trims.
On the safety front, the base variant of the new generation Duster has all the important features. The list includes six airbags, traction control, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). However, there are some items that are only available with higher trims. These include features like rain sensing wipers, all-wheel disc brakes and 360-degree camera. Level 2 ADAS package is also not available in the base variant.
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The all-new Renault Duster base variant is equipped with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It generates 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The higher trims are powered by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque. It is offered with transmission options of 6-speed manual and 6-speed DCT. The new Duster will also get a strong hybrid powertrain in the near future.
The new Duster base Authentic variant offers a good package for budget-oriented buyers and those who prefer a no-frills experience. The base variant has strong road presence and the essentials, including a robust safety package. However, to experience the new generation Duster to its full potential, buyers will have to opt for one of the higher trims.
