Renault Duster bags a 5-star rating in BNCAP

The 2026 Renault Duster joins the ranks of its rivals in the mid-size SUV segment with the likes of Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki Victoris, all of which have scored a 5-star crash safety rating in Bharat NCAP.

Its category-wise scores stand as follows: 30.49 points out of a total of 32 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP). As for the Child Occupant Protection (COP), it has bagged 45 points out of a total of 49 points. The current, third-generation Duster is significantly safer than the first-generation model, which had a 3-star GNCAP crash safety rating.

Apart from the improved structural integrity of the new RGMP-derived chassis, the latest Duster is equipped with 35 standard safety features. Some of the highlights are – six airbags alongside ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, cornering stability control, hill start assist and TPMS. Additionally, it gets three-point seat belts for all passengers with a load limiter in the front, ISOFIX child seat mount, impact sensing door unlock, immobiliser and burglar alarm, and rear parking assist. Furthermore, Renault has incorporated rollover sensors as well.

The higher trims of the new Duster are also optioned with Level 2 ADAS. Priced from ₹10.49 lakh (ex-showroom), its strong-hybrid variant, powered by a 1.8-litre inline-4 engine paired with a 1.4kWh battery pack delivering a combined 158bhp and 172Nm of torque. It is due for arrival around Diwali 2026. The currently available powertrain options are a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine putting out 98.6bhp. The other option is a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 160bhp and 280Nm of torque.