Comparison: Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos

Renault has recently revealed the Renault Duster, with its launch to take place in March 2026. Because the success of the Duster will decide Renault’s future in India, the car brand has gone all out in making the Indian-spec Duster as capable as possible. With the new Renault Duster in the picture, Kia Seltos buyers have a capable SUV to weigh the Seltos against. However, it is certain to be a difficult comparison, as the second-generation Kia Seltos was launched recently, and Kia has done a fine job in improving the Seltos. To choose between the two easily, in this article of Renault Duster and Kia Seltos, we compare the two on key parameters and determine which one you should buy.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Dimensions & Design

The Kia Seltos is 117 mm longer, 17 mm wider, and has a 33 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Renault Duster. Whereas the Duster is 24 mm taller, offers a significantly larger boot space, and rides higher than the Seltos. Space inside, especially on the rear seat, is more or less the same in both SUVs – two adults and one teenager can sit comfortably, but three adults will find it a slightly tight fit.

It is not always the case, but between the Duster and Seltos, the exterior design and road presence should be a key factor, because neither of these SUVs is a Hyundai Creta or a Maruti car, which are go-to cars for most buyers. The Duster is a sportier-looking SUV than the Seltos. Its front fascia is sharper, even though it has an upright bumper. Adding the sporty touch are the two deep scoops on the bonnet, rectangular gloss black grille with ‘DUSTER’ lettering embossed on it, and functional air ducts on the edges of the bumper. Although there are some muscular elements too, such as squared-off wheel arches with muscular protrusions over them and a large blacked-out air dam with silver housing. The side profile exudes a muscular appeal, and like the Kia Seltos, its window glass house tapers towards the rear, while the C-pillar-mounted rear door handles are unique to itself. At the rear, like most modern mid-size SUVs, the Duster has connected tail lamps.

On the other hand, the Kia Seltos looks aggressive, especially due to the wide, toothy gloss-black grille that stretches over the main headlight units set in square housing.  The sleek fang-like vertically-oriented LED DRLs that extend right over to the bonnet and fenders add some more aggression to the front. Instead of a rugged black like on the Duster, Kia has gone with gloss black cladding on the Seltos that almost covers the bottom of the SUV. On the side, the Seltos gets flush-fitting door handles and sharper creases compared to the Duster. At the rear, the Seltos features vertical tail lamps, connected by a light bar. As mentioned before, overall, the Seltos looks more aggressive than the Duster.

While the Kia Seltos is larger than the Renault Duster, there is not much difference in the space offered on the inside. As far as design is concerned, the Duster looks sportier, while the Seltos looks more macho and aggressive.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Engine & Transmission

The Renault Duster’s smallest 1-litre turbo petrol engine has been borrowed from the smaller Renault Kiger compact SUV. Compared to the Seltos’s 1.5-litre NA petrol engine, this engine has a couple of downsides. First, it is a bit weaker, and second, it misses an automatic transmission, as the Seltos’s NA petrol engine also offers a CVT automatic.

At the same time, the Duster’s 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine is more powerful than every other engine in the segment, let alone the Seltos’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. This cutting-edge 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine was developed by the alliance of Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, with the collaboration of Daimler, and it also powers Mercedes-Benz GLA and Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine. One of the main highlights of this engine is that it delivers peak 280 Nm torque at around 2,500 rpm, offering a strong mid-range, while Seltos’s turbo petrol engine can deliver 253 Nm peak torque at around 3,500 rpm. Another advantage of this engine is that it is also available with both automatic and manual transmissions, while the Seltos’s turbo petrol engine or any other turbo petrol engine in the segment is not offered with a manual transmission.

The Duster’s strong-hybrid powertrain, which will go on sale around Diwali this year, is the best hybrid powertrain in the segment. The Seltos misses a hybrid powertrain for now, although Kia has confirmed that the Seltos will get a petrol-hybrid powertrain by 2027. Meanwhile, the Duster misses a diesel engine, while the Seltos offers a capable 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine.

As far as ride quality is concerned, the Renault Duster became a blockbuster in India mainly because of its unmatchable ride and handling balance. The old Duster excelled on bad roads, and the new Duster is expected to do the same. Moreover, with well-tuned suspensions, the Duster very well contains the body roll and lets the driver take the corners with ease. On the other hand, the second-gen Seltos is also being praised for its improved ride quality; however, would it be able to challenge the driving dynamics of the Duster? Only time will tell.

The Renault Duster is equipped with the segment’s most powerful engine and delivers an exceptional ride and handling balance. The Kia Seltos offers the advantage of a variety of powertrains.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Features & Comfort

On the inside, both SUVs meet the segment’s standards as far premium quotient is concerned, but the Kia Seltos feels significantly superior to the Renault Duster. Since the Duster is the car wherein you are most likely to be in the driver’s seat, the driver’s seat has been given special focus, and there is a sporty air about the cabin, especially the front section. Firstly, the all-black interior theme is already a sporty ambience, and the contrast green stitching on the seats and carbon fibre finish on the dashboard add to it. Moreover, the touchscreen and centre console are slightly angled towards the driver’s seat, offering easy accessibility to the driver. The chunky, squarish steering is nice to hold and helps you enjoy the Duster’s driving capabilities.

One thing common and great about both Duster and Seltos is the availability of physical buttons for most controls. Physical buttons are easy to adapt to and do not require you to take your eyes off the road to operate them. Both brands have done this in times when every brand is minimising their cars’ interiors by integrating most controls in the touchscreens.

On the other hand, Kia’s interior feels richer than that of the Duster, especially due to the dual-tone interior colour theme and the quality of the materials used, for example, soft-touch material on the dashboard. Moreover, like the Duster, the Seltos features a chunky, squarish three-spoke steering wheel. However, it gets a single-unit glass panel, which houses a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 5.0-inch HVAC touchscreen nestled between the two.

In terms of the features, both Renault Duster and Kia Seltos are packed with a lot of upmarket perks to keep the drives comfortable, convenient, and entertaining. All the same, the Seltos misses a powered front passenger seat and a powered tailgate, both of which are offered with the Duster.

On the inside, the Kia Seltos feels slightly more premium than the Renault Duster. However, the Duster offers a couple of advantages over the Kia Seltos – a powered front passenger seat and a powered tail gate.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Safety Features

While neither Renault Duster nor Kia Seltos have been tested by any NCAP, Renault and Kia are certain that their mid-size SUVs will score a full 5-star rating in the NCAP safety tests. Meanwhile, both Duster and Seltos are equipped with a host of safety features, including a Level-2 ADAS safety suite.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Price comparison

While prices of the Renault Duster are yet to be announced, they are expected to be Rs. 10 – 20 lakh (ex-showroom). For these prices, the Duster will offer a good value as the Seltos does.

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: Which one should you buy

Without a shadow of doubt, the French carmaker has left no stone unturned in making the Duster an appealing proposition for every type of mid-size SUV buyer in India. The new Duster is equipped with a lot of upmarket features, including all trendy ones such as a Level-2 ADAS safety suite, panoramic sunroof, and more. Next, it offers capable and refined powertrains, including a state-of-the-art 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, mated to both automatic and manual transmissions. Moreover, it offers an immaculate ride and handling balance, and a fine machine to get behind the wheel of. At the same time, it delivers the segment-leading ride comfort. So, if you want an SUV that drives and rides well, and offers all the aforementioned qualities, the Duster should be a great car for you.

All the same, since the Kia Seltos feels more premium on the inside and is slightly larger, it should be one that a family will find themselves more comfortable in. Meanwhile, it is nearly as feature-rich as the Duster and offers a more than satisfactory ride quality. While it cannot offer the driving joy like a Duster, its performance is entertaining enough with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. While the Seltos does not have many points to its advantage compared to the Duster, it certainly is a compelling offering for the reliability and refinement it possesses.   

Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos: FAQs