The Renault Duster has achieved a 5-star safety rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), marking a strong result for the midsize SUV in India’s evolving safety landscape. The model scored 30.49 out of 32 in adult occupant protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 in child occupant protection (COP), with the rating applicable across all variants.
BNCAP evaluated multiple trims of the Duster, including the Evolution, Techno, and Iconic 1.3T versions. In adult protection tests, the SUV delivered consistent performance, securing high scores in both frontal and side impact assessments. The frontal offset deformable barrier test yielded 14.49 out of 16 points, while the side movable deformable barrier test achieved a full score of 16.
In terms of protection levels, the driver’s head, neck, pelvis, and thighs were rated ‘good’, although the chest and lower leg areas received an ‘adequate’ rating. Protection for the front passenger was rated ‘good’ across most critical areas, including the chest and lower limbs. The side pole impact test result was marked as ‘OK’, indicating scope for improvement in more severe side-impact scenarios.
For child occupant protection, the Duster demonstrated strong results, particularly in dynamic testing, where it achieved full marks. The assessment used dummies representing 18-month-old and 3-year-old children in rearward-facing configurations. The child restraint system (CRS) installation also received maximum points, though the overall COP score was slightly impacted by the vehicle assessment component.
On the safety equipment front, the Duster comes equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-hold and hill-descent assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. ISOFIX anchor points are provided for child seats, although they are limited to the outer rear seats.
Higher variants further enhance safety with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Priced between Rs. 10.49 lakhs and Rs. 18.49 lakhs (ex-showroom), the Renault Duster competes with established models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Tata Sierra and Volkswagen Taigun.
