India’s automotive calendar for January 2026 is setting the stage for one of the most anticipated dual launches of the year. On January 21, Nissan will unveil the Gravite—a sub-4-meter, seven-seater compact MPV designed to democratize family mobility—while just five days later, on January 26, Republic Day, Renault will reintroduce the legendary Duster, now reimagined as a modern, feature-packed compact SUV. These launches represent fundamentally different philosophies: Nissan targets value-conscious families seeking space and practicality, while Renault aims at aspirational buyers demanding premium features and performance.
Nissan Gravite: The Affordable Seven-Seater Arrives
Nissan’s market strategy in India has been constrained by a limited portfolio—until now, the Magnite small SUV represented the brand’s sole passenger vehicle offering. The Gravite fundamentally changes this equation, positioning Nissan as a credible player in the sub-₹10 lakh family MPV segment, a category that includes the Renault Triber and Maruti Ertiga.
Platform and Design Architecture
The Gravite is based on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-A platform, the same architecture underpinning the Renault Triber. This design decision reduces development risk and manufacturing complexity while enabling rapid market entry. Nissan has differentiated the vehicle through a redesigned grille featuring inverted L-shaped LED daytime running lights, a sportier bumper with silver inserts, new alloy wheels, and restyled taillamps bearing pronounced “Gravite” badging. The overall silhouette remains sub-4 meters (critical for Indian tax incentives), with a boxy profile emphasising interior space over aerodynamic refinement—a trade-off appropriate for its target demographic.
Specifications and Powertrain
The Gravite will be powered exclusively by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 72 bhp and 96 Nm of torque—identical to the Triber. Transmission options comprise a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). A dealer-fit CNG kit is also expected, appealing to fleet operators and cost-conscious buyers seeking fuel economy.
This powertrain is modest by contemporary standards. The 72-bhp figure translates to approximately 9.9 bhp per litre, positioning the Gravite as frugal rather than spirited. Zero-to-100 kmph acceleration likely requires 11-12 seconds—acceptable for a family haulier, but unremarkable. Fuel economy should hover around 18-20 kmpl on petrol, with CNG variants achieving 25-27 kmpl. Highway cruising will feel unhurried, but city-driving practicality and ladder-climb terrain capability should prove adequate for Tier-2 and Tier-3 family buyers.
Interior and Technology
Interior details remain officially unconfirmed, but Nissan is expected to offer features including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, wireless charging pads, cooled lower glove boxes, driver seat height adjust, driver seat armrests, cruise control, rear seat lighting, and auto-folding ORVMs.
The seating configuration offers flexible arrangements of 5, 6, or 7 passengers—a critical feature for Indian families. Second and third-row seats will be capable of sliding and reclining, addressing the pragmatic needs of multi-generational households and weekend outings. The sub-4-meter constraint limits third-row legroom compared to the Maruti Ertiga (which falls just over 4 meters), making the Gravite better suited for children and occasional adult passengers than as a genuine three-row cruiser for long-distance family trips.
Pricing and Market Position
Nissan has teased an expected price band of ₹6.0 to 9.5 lakh ex-showroom. At the base end, the Gravite undercuts the Renault Triber (₹6.6 lakh base) marginally, creating internal competition within the Renault-Nissan alliance—a sacrifice Nissan is willing to make to establish brand presence. The ₹9.5 lakh ceiling positions the higher variants above the Triber but below the Maruti Ertiga’s top-end models (₹11.2 lakh), establishing a clear three-tier hierarchy.
The addressable market for sub-₹10 lakh family MPVs in India exceeds 400,000 units annually. Nissan, lacking brand equity in this segment, must price aggressively to capture share from established competitors. Early demand will depend heavily on dealer network strength, after-sales service reputation, and the willingness of Nissan-hesitant buyers to experiment with the brand for a second or third family vehicle purchase.
Nissan Gravite MPV vs New Renault Duster: Complete Specifications Comparison (January 2026 Launches)
Renault Duster: The Iconic Nameplate Returns with Ambition
The original Renault Duster, launched in India in July 2012, fundamentally redefined the compact SUV category. It arrived during an era when buyers conflated SUVs with expensive, underpowered alternatives to sedans. The Duster proved that a compact, affordable, rugged SUV could attract middle-class aspirants and young families. Over its first generation lifespan, the Duster achieved approximately 400,000 cumulative sales in India—a remarkable achievement that established it as a cultural touchstone.
Renault exited India in 2022, withdrawing the Duster and other models amid losses and strategic retrenchment. The brand’s return on January 26, 2026, signals renewed commitment, but the market dynamics have shifted dramatically. The compact SUV segment that barely existed in 2012 now features over 25 competitors, including the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun. Renault must re-establish the Duster not as a category pioneer, but as a technology and value leader.
Platform and Design Evolution
The new Duster is built on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B platform, a more sophisticated architecture than the CMF-A underpinning the Gravite. The CMF-B supports electrification (hybrid and potentially EV variants in future), all-wheel drive capability, and greater modular flexibility. This platform choice signals Renault’s commitment to long-term competitiveness, allowing mid-lifecycle updates and future variant expansion without complete redesign.
Visually, the new Duster abandons the rounded, softer proportions of its predecessor in favour of a distinctly boxier, more upright stance. Teasers hint at strong horizontal body creases, prominent cladding along the sides, tall roof rails, and a rugged overall character. At the rear, Renault has introduced a connected LED tail-lamp setup—a design element absent from the international-market version, suggesting India-specific customisation. LED DRLs front and rear provide a contemporary visual identity, while the overall silhouette suggests improved approach and departure angles, hinting at modest off-road capability.
Powertrain Options and International Parallels
The international Duster lineup offers three powerplant configurations: a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol with 145 bhp (with manual gearbox), a 1.6-litre mild-hybrid petrol (130 bhp), and a 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid (100 bhp). The international model also offers all-wheel drive on hybrid variants.
For the Indian market, Renault will likely rationalise this lineup. A naturally aspirated or turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol producing 100-120 bhp is probable as the base engine, with an optional turbo variant (140-150 bhp) on higher trims. The introduction of mild-hybrid technology—allowing 7-10% fuel economy improvements through regenerative braking and engine stop-start—would differentiate the Duster from competitors and align with industry trends toward electrification without the cost premium of full hybrid systems. All-wheel drive, if offered, would likely appear only on premium variants at ₹13-14 lakh upward, creating pricing tiers that appeal to diverse buyer segments.
Interior, Technology, and Safety
The new Duster represents Renault’s most ambitious technology push in India. A completely redesigned dashboard centres on a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay—addressing the smartphone integration expectations of 2026 buyers. A 7-inch digital driver’s display replaces traditional analogue instruments, wireless charging pads accommodate modern smartphones, and a 6-speaker Arkamys sound system provides audio quality beyond the utilitarian offerings of five years past.
Comfort and convenience features reflect premium positioning: ventilated front seats address India’s punishing summers, a powered driver’s seat enables personalised ergonomics, and a panoramic sunroof—once a luxury attribute—has become table stakes in the segment. Ambient lighting (soft interior illumination that enhances cabin ambience) represents a psychological upgrade, often described by buyers as providing a “premium feel.”
Safety represents the Duster’s most significant leap forward. Six airbags are expected across the range (compared to three in the original Duster), electronic stability control provides dynamic stability on slippery surfaces, and a 360-degree camera system aids parking and low-speed manoeuvring. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and collision mitigation—would position the Duster as India’s first affordable ADAS-equipped compact SUV, directly challenging the technology narrative of more expensive competitors.
Pricing and Competitive Positioning
Renault has signalled an expected entry price around ₹10 lakh ex-showroom, with the range extending to approximately ₹14-15 lakh for fully-loaded variants featuring ADAS, all-wheel drive, and premium trim packages. This positions the Duster directly in competition with the segment-leading Hyundai Creta (₹10.5-17.7 lakh), the newly-revamped Kia Seltos (₹11.5-17.9 lakh), and the Toyota Hyryder (₹10.5-16.4 lakh).
The ₹10 lakh base pricing is aggressive—matching or slightly undercutting established competitors while promising category-leading ADAS and modern design. This pricing strategy hinges on two assumptions: (1) sufficient manufacturing scale to maintain profitability, and (2) buyer willingness to trust the Renault brand after a four-year absence. Historically, brand absence erodes buyer consideration; overcoming this inertia requires compelling product superiority or exceptional pricing. Renault’s ₹10 lakh entry point suggests confidence that the new Duster delivers sufficient differentiation to justify renewed brand allegiance.
The Broader Market Context
Both vehicles arrive amid significant shifts in India’s automotive sector. The compact SUV segment, which was nascent in 2012, now captures over 35 per cent of total passenger vehicle sales—approximately 1.8 million units annually. The family MPV segment, represented primarily by the Ertiga, commands roughly 250,000 annual units, with considerable white space for premium entrants.
From a manufacturing perspective, both vehicles signify confidence in India’s role within Renault-Nissan’s global strategy. The Gravite will be built at Nissan’s Renault partnership facility in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu (the same plant producing Triber), while the Duster production location remains unconfirmed but is likely Renault’s existing facility in Chennai. Domestic manufacturing, rather than imports, provides gross margin advantages critical for affordability while supporting “Make in India” narratives that resonate with policymakers and consumers.
Marketing Implications and Content Opportunities
For automotive content creators, these launches present multiple narrative angles:
Nostalgia and Resurrection Angle: The Duster’s original 2012 launch effectively created the compact SUV category in India, establishing a cultural touchstone for millennials and Gen-X families. The 2026 return taps into nostalgia while positioning the new model as technologically vindicated—proof that SUVs have matured from niche products to mainstream preferences.
Value Proposition Contrast: Nissan Gravite represents pure pragmatism (maximum space at minimum cost), while Renault Duster balances pragmatism with aspiration (substantial features and safety at mid-premium pricing). This contrast allows nuanced comparison content exploring what different buyer segments value.
Technology Leapfrogging: ADAS availability on the Duster at ₹10 lakh entry pricing represents a significant market democratisation. Historically, ADAS appeared exclusively on vehicles ₹15+ lakh; the Duster’s positioning brings autonomous-driving-adjacent technology to middle-class buyers two years earlier than many competitors.
Manufacturing and Economic Narratives: Both vehicles are manufactured in South India (Tamil Nadu specifically), supporting content around Make in India, regional automotive manufacturing clusters, and export potential (both could become globally competitive platforms).
Conclusion
The Nissan Gravite and new Renault Duster represent complementary rather than directly competitive launches. Gravite targets the family-first buyer, prioritising space and affordability; the Duster targets the feature-first buyer willing to stretch ₹2-3 lakh further for technology and safety. Together, they broaden the addressable premium market—the Gravite expanding into the value segment, the Duster reinforcing the mid-premium tier.
For Nissan, the Gravite is a bridge vehicle, establishing dealership footfall and brand consideration prior to the Tekton SUV (arriving February 2026) and a seven-seater SUV planned for 2027. For Renault, the Duster is a market re-entry statement: “We understand what India wants, we’ve learned from our absence, and we’re returning with the products to prove it.”
As January progresses toward these launches, early booking trends, dealer feedback, and subsequent customer reviews will shape industry narrative around whether these vehicles achieve redemption (Duster) or successful market entry (Gravite) in a segment unrecognizably more competitive than 2012.
Reference links:
- https://www.indiacarnews.com/news/nissan-gravite-india-debut-confirmed-for-jan-21-7-seater-mpv-details-66926/
- https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/nissan-gravite-to-be-unveiled-on-january-438742
- https://www.ndtv.com/auto/nissan-gravite-mpv-to-make-india-debut-on-january-21-10449640
- https://www.topgearmag.in/news/cars/what-to-expect-from-the-new-renault-duster-ahead-of-january-26-debut
- https://www.cardekho.com/india-car-news/nostalgia-hits-back-in-renault-dusters-latest-teaser-ahead-of-january-26-launch-35469.htm