Renault recently launched the new Duster in the Indian market. Bookings for the SUV have already started, and it has begun reaching dealerships across the country. The Duster is a brand with strong recall value in the Indian market, which is why Renault decided to reintroduce it as part of its next phase. Deliveries for the new Duster will begin in April. Here, we have a list of four SUVs that are expected to challenge the Duster this year.
Volkswagen has been working on the facelift of the Taigun SUV, and an almost production-ready version has been spotted multiple times. The launch is expected to take place in the first week of April.
The updated SUV will come with a revised front end, including new headlamps, grille, LED DRLs with a connecting light bar, along with a revised bumper, fog lamps, and tail lamps. The alloy wheels might also get a new design. On the inside, we expect the SUV to feature a new colour theme, while the overall layout is likely to remain unchanged.
Volkswagen is also expected to introduce features like a panoramic sunroof and a rear seat massager, similar to Skoda models, along with multiple safety features. The SUV will continue to be offered with the same turbo petrol engine options.
The 1.0-litre TSI engine will generate 115 PS and 178 Nm of peak torque and will be available with a 6-speed manual and a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The 1.5-litre TSI engine will generate 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque and will be paired with a 7-speed DSG.
We already know that Nissan is working on its own version of the Duster for the Indian market. Now that Renault has officially launched the Duster, Nissan is expected to launch its version soon. It will be called the Tekton and is based on the same platform as the Duster.
The Nissan Tekton has been spotted testing multiple times, often alongside the Duster. The SUV will feature a design inspired by the Nissan Patrol and will be powered by the same 1.0-litre turbo, 1.3-litre turbo, and 1.8-litre hybrid petrol engine options.
At launch, the Tekton is expected to come with the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo petrol engines, while the 1.8-litre strong hybrid version may be introduced at a later stage.
Kia recently launched the GTX Plus variants for the Carens Clavis in both ICE and EV forms. The GTX Plus variant will be the range-topping option within the GT Line.
It may come with a unique interior theme and possibly a few additional features over the standard variants. Exact details will only be revealed at the time of launch. Like the Carens Clavis, the Seltos GTX Plus might be offered exclusively with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT. Kia is also working on a hybrid system but that will only get launched sometime next year.
The last SUV on this list is the Honda Elevate. The SUV is expected to receive a facelift this year, and alongside that, Honda is also working on introducing a hybrid system.
This would mean that the Renault Duster Hybrid will face additional competition in the segment, apart from offerings from Maruti and Toyota. The Elevate Hybrid is expected to continue using the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Honda has been working on a more efficient, less complex, and cost-effective hybrid system. It remains to be seen whether the Elevate will get this new system or borrow the setup from the City Hybrid.