Renault Duster 7-Seater Spied In Chennai: 2027 Launch Locked, And It Needs To Undercut Scorpio N
Renault's upcoming three-row Duster has been spotted testing in Chennai, with automotive enthusiast Mr. Shakthi capturing a clear side profile of the camouflaged test mule. With the five-seat Duster already on sale, the larger seven-seat SUV is now confirmed for an early 2027 India launch.
What was announced
The test mule was photographed in Chennai by automotive enthusiast Mr. Shakthi, marking the latest in a string of sightings for Renault's three-row Duster derivative. The image gives the clearest side profile yet, and the proportions confirm this is not a stretched five-seater hiding under camouflage but a properly reworked three-row body.
If Renault opens the three-row Duster above Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom, the Scorpio N and XUV700 will eat it alive before the first festive season closes.
The extended rear overhang, longer roofline and significantly larger rear quarter glass all point to a dedicated third-row layout, with the quarter window sized to maximise light and visibility for occupants in the last row. The SUV retains an upright stance with a flat roof, chunky wheel arch cladding and roof rails, carrying forward the rugged styling language seen on Renault's latest global products including the Bigster, on which this India-spec model is widely expected to be based. Door handles are visible beneath the wrap, confirming production-intent hardware.
The five-seat Duster is already on sale in India, and the seven-seater is expected to arrive in early 2027. Renault has not officially confirmed powertrains for the India-spec three-row model, but the Bigster's global menu includes a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol mild hybrid and a full hybrid setup. Pricing, variants and the diesel question remain unanswered, and the segment it enters, dominated by the Mahindra Scorpio N, XUV700 and Tata Safari, is unforgiving on value.
The Car Jury verdict
Renault has one shot to make the seven-seat Duster matter in India, and price is the entire conversation. The Mahindra Scorpio N starts around Rs 13.99 lakh, the XUV700 sits in the same orbit, and Tata's Safari plays the value card. If Renault opens the three-row Duster above Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom, it is dead on arrival. Faisal Khan of FasBeam points out the obvious problem: "this is not something they had thought about when designing this car back when it was launched in 2020," which means the third row will be a packaging compromise, not a Scorpio N rival on space. Renault must lead with diesel, lead with a hybrid option, and lead with sub-Rs 14 lakh pricing for the base variant. The five-seat Duster is a BUY at our verdict; the seven-seater has to earn the same call, not inherit it.
