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 (July 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 20.7 kmpl vs 19.41 kmpl.
- The Renault Duster has the better crash-test score: 5 stars vs 3.
- The Renault Duster has the bigger boot: 518 litres vs 433 litres.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Seltos | Renault Duster |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 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 | 160 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 17.0-20.7 km/l (ARAI, varies by engine and gearbox) | 17.75-19.41 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | 3 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 433 L | 518 L |
Kia Seltos in short
The Kia Seltos is the brand's midsize SUV workhorse in India and one of the Hyundai Creta's fiercest rivals, refreshed comprehensively in 2023 with sharper styling and Level 2 ADAS. Its trump card is choice: three engines and five gearbox options spread across sporty GT Line and classy Tech Line trims. The 158bhp turbo-petrol makes it one of the quickest mainstream SUVs in the class.
Full Seltosprices & 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 Dusterprices & 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, July 2026.)
Seltos vs Duster — which is safer?
The Kia Seltos scores 3 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 20.7 kmpl vs 19.41 kmpl. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.