Hyundai Alcazar vs Kia Seltos vs Renault Duster (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Hyundai Alcazar if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
- Pick the Renault Duster if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Seltos | Renault Duster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹14.99 Lakh – ₹21.55 Lakh | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L NA petrol / 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.0L turbo-petrol (TCe 100) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (TCe 160) |
| Max power | 158 bhp | 158 bhp | 160 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–20 kmpl | ARAI figures for the 2026 gen not announced yet (engines carried over) | 17.75-19.41 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) |
| Seating | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 180 L | 447 L | 518 L |
Hyundai Alcazar in short
The Alcazar is the three-row sibling of the Creta, refreshed comprehensively in 2024 with new styling and a plusher cabin. It targets the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and Kia Carens combination of space and premium feel, in 6- and 7-seat layouts. Captain chairs with a centre console on the 6-seater give it a genuine chauffeur-friendly second row.
Full Alcazar prices & variants →Kia Seltos in short
The second-generation Seltos arrived in July 2026 as Kia India's most consequential launch of the year: bolder styling, dual 12.3-inch displays, up to Level 2+ ADAS with a built-in dashcam on the new GTX(O)/X-Line(O) trims, and a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating whose 31.70/32 adult score is the highest yet for an ICE car. The three familiar engines carry over — 115bhp petrol, 158bhp turbo-petrol, 116bhp diesel — across a restructured 12-trim walk. It renews its rivalry with the Hyundai Creta, and now also the Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton.
Full Seltos prices & variants →Renault Duster in short
The Duster is back — the nameplate that created India's midsize SUV segment returned in 2026 on the Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform it shares with the Nissan Tekton, with butch third-generation styling, a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and six standard airbags. There is no diesel or AWD this time, but the 160bhp 1.3L turbo-petrol is among the punchiest engines in the class and a 518-litre boot leads it, while a strong-hybrid version is expected around Diwali 2026. It takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara and its own alliance twin, the Tekton.
Full Duster prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Alcazar vs Seltos vs Duster — which should I buy?
Pick the Hyundai Alcazar if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Pick the Renault Duster if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Alcazar, Seltos, Duster?
The Renault Duster starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹11.00 Lakh for the Seltos and ₹14.99 Lakh for the Alcazar (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Hyundai Alcazar: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Seltos: 5 stars; Renault Duster: 5 stars.