Intro

Renault is playing a double game in India with the New Renault Duster and Kwid Facelift, targeting compact SUV buyers and entry-hatch customers in one go. The new-gen Duster will be rolled out in phases before a 2026 launch, while the refreshed Kwid will come sooner with safety and cosmetic upgrades that matter daily. That’s the catch – and the opportunity.

Design that turns heads

Spy shots and brand teasers suggest the Duster gets a tougher stance, Y-shaped LED elements, chunkier skid plates and a bolder grille with Renault’s new logo – a look that can take on the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in showrooms. For a buyer, that means presence without trying too hard, plus better lighting and road visibility in mixed conditions.

Inside, more useful tech

Expect a clean modern cabin on the Duster with a floating screen, fully digital driver display and redesigned controls – the stuff that cuts clutter and makes daily commutes feel more current. If Renault sticks to plan, quality of life features like wireless phone integration and improved ergonomics should reduce the fiddly moments that budget conscious families put up with.

Engines and what they mean for you

While final engines are under wraps, the Duster is likely to get turbo-petrols with manual and auto options, with hybrid in the works – meaning punchy city driving and potentially better efficiency if hybrid variants come to India. The Kwid should continue with its 1.0-litre engine with manual and AMT options, with a likely six-airbag push that will bring genuine peace of mind to a first time buyer. That’s where it shines: simple to run, easy to park and still light on the pocket.

Kwid facelift: timely upgrades

The Kwid update will likely get the new 2D logo and minor exterior changes, while safety could take a big leap with six airbags across the board. For city runners comparing with the Maruti Alto K10, that extra kit could be the clincher if pricing is honest.

Price and timing: the road ahead

Pricing hints at a competitive start to undercut or match segment norms, production in Chennai before a first half 2026 launch. The Kwid facelift is expected much sooner – targets point to a late September 2025 timeline – so a clear ladder from budget hatch to family SUV in Renault showrooms.

Rivals to watch

The Duster will take on Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, MG Astor, and Honda Elevate – each with a unique selling proposition or powertrain. On the hatch side, the Kwid’s competitor is the Maruti Alto K10 where airbags and in-cabin tech could be the differentiator beyond on-road price.

Closing Note

If Renault gets the pricing and kit mix right, the New Renault Duster and Kwid Facelift could offer a hard-to-ignore value bridge – from first-time ownership to an SUV upgrade – without overcomplicating the buying decision.

Also read: New Renault Duster India Launch Confirmed: Bold Design, Hybrid Power

FAQs

When is the New Renault Duster coming?

Production is tracking for late 2025 with market launch in the first half of 2026, as Renault ramps up its Chennai operations.

What’s new in the Kwid facelift?

Expect subtle styling changes, Renault’s new logo, and a likely six-airbag safety uplift while keeping the 1.0-litre petrol with manual and AMT options.