Kia Seltos vs Renault Duster (2026)
Kia Seltos (₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh) and Renault Duster (₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh) go head-to-head in the midsize suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (August 2026).
- The Renault Duster is more affordable — it starts ₹0.51 Lakh lower than the Kia Seltos.
- The Renault Duster is the more powerful car, with 160 bhp against 158 bhp.
- The Kia Seltos is more efficient on paper — up to 2026 kmpl vs 19.41 kmpl.
- The Renault Duster has the bigger boot: 518 litres vs 447 litres.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
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 →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Seltos or Duster?
The Renault Duster is more affordable — it starts ₹0.51 Lakh lower than the Kia Seltos. (Ex-showroom prices, August 2026.)
Seltos vs Duster — which is safer?
The Kia Seltos scores 5 stars and the Renault Duster scores 5 stars in NCAP crash tests.
Should I buy the Seltos or the Duster?
The Renault Duster is more affordable — it starts ₹0.51 Lakh lower than the Kia Seltos. The Renault Duster is the more powerful car, with 160 bhp against 158 bhp. The Kia Seltos is more efficient on paper — up to 2026 kmpl vs 19.41 kmpl. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.