2026 Renault Duster has entered the Indian market in a new avatar after a long wait. This car, which once ruled the mid-side SUV segment, is going to make a splash in the market again. However, it is also going to face strong competition from some models. The name of MG Astor is also included in this. In such a situation, let us know which of these two SUVs will be more profitable to buy.
First of all let's talk about the price. The starting ex-showroom price of the new Duster starts from ₹ 10.49 lakh and goes up to ₹ 18.49 lakh. Whereas, MG Aster is available in the range of ₹ 9.79 lakh to ₹ 15.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Duster is a bit expensive, but comes with more variants and powertrain options. Let us now take a look at the details of these two SUVs, from design to engine and mileage.
Design and interior
The new Duster comes with aggressive and modern SUV styling. Strong rooflines, full LED headlamps, panoramic sunroof and 212 mm ground clearance. It seems better for rough terrain. MG Astor has a stylish and premium look, with sharp lines, LED lights and a sleek profile, which is attractive for city driving. Duster gives more rugged feel.
Duster has dual screen setup (10.1 inch infotainment + 10.25 inch driver display), Google based system, ventilated seats, powered tailgate and large 518 liter boot space. The cabin is spacious and the quality is good. The interior of Aster is also premium. It gets a large touchscreen, digital cluster, good material finish and comfortable seating. However, compared to the Duster, it has a slightly smaller boot and less space inside.
Features and safety
Duster is equipped with advanced features. It has 17 ADAS features, 360° camera, panoramic sunroof, connected car technology and multi-mode drive. Astor also has 360° camera, wireless charging, sunroof and good connectivity features, but Duster is ahead in ADAS. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in both. For safety, Duster has 6 airbags as standard and disc brakes. This is a safer option with ADAS. Astor also has 6 airbags, 360° camera, TPMS and hill control, but the ADAS level is lower.
Engine and Mileage
Duster can be purchased with three engine options – 1.0 liter turbo (100 PS), 1.3 liter turbo TCe 160 (163 PS/280 Nm) and 1.8 liter strong hybrid (163 PS) engine. Mileage is 17-18 kmpl (petrol) and up to 25 kmpl is possible in hybrid. It will have 6-speed MT or DCT gearbox options. The Astor is powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine (108 PS/144 Nm), which is smoother but less powerful than the Duster. Mileage is around 14.8-15.4 kmpl.