The new Nissan SUV, based on the same CMF-B platform as the new Renault Duster, will launch in India in FY2026, the Japanese brand has confirmed. It will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, Honda Elevate, and Maruti Grand Vitara when it arrives and is likely to follow Nissan’s new 7-seat compact MPV to the market. The Nissan SUV will launch alongside the new Duster, with both models being produced at the Renault-Nissan Alliance factory in Chennai for domestic sales and export markets.
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- The new Nissan SUV has a silhouette similar to the Renault Duster
- Interior layout is also similar, but it is likely to get more features
- Turbo-petrol engine and automatic gearbox confirmed
New Nissan SUV exterior design
Design elements on concept said to be inspired by the Nissan Patrol
Based on the images released by Nissan, the new SUV shares its rugged silhouette with the new Renault Duster but clearly sports unique design elements. Nissan says they have taken some design inspiration from the larger Patrol SUV. As the first teasers of the SUVs revealed exactly a year ago showed, the Nissan sports L-shaped LED DRLs connected by a chrome strip, and there are also two thin chrome bars that run across almost the entire length of the front grille, which has the Nissan logo at the centre.
Other differences that can be seen between the new Nissan SUV and the Renault Duster include slimmer headlights, a horizontally slatted grille, reshaped front bumpers along with thick C-shaped silver cladding, promimnent creases and scoops on the bonnet, and differently-designed multi-spoke alloy wheels. It should be noted that the teaser shows a concept, and that the production model may have some design elements toned-down.
New Nissan SUV interior features
10.1-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital instrument cluster
While the teaser does not show any interior details, the layout of the new Nissan SUV is expected to be similar to that of the Renault Duster. However, sources told us that the Japanese carmaker’s version will have more upmarket features and specs than the Duster, but fewer variants. The range-topping variants of the Nissan SUV will sport a driver-oriented 10.1-inch central infotainment touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, rear AC vents, automatic climate control, and drive modes. Nissan says its SUV has the same infotainment hardware as the Renault Duster, but the UI will be slightly tweaked. While an ADAS suite is offered on the international Duster, it remains to be seen if the India-spec model and its Nissan counterpart will receive the safety tech.
New Nissan SUV engine and gearbox
1.3-litre turbo-petrol and 7-speed dual-clutch auto confirmed
Nissan has confirmed our report that its SUV will be a petrol-only model. At launch, there will be a single powertrain option – a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 154hp and 250Nm in international markets, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The carmaker has yet to confirm whether an entry-level variant with a manual gearbox will also be on offer. Further, Nissan has yet to confirm if India will get the AWD seen on select versions of the international-spec Duster.
New Nissan SUV name and positioning
Nissan Terrano name might not be used again
Nissan plans to have its new SUV positioned higher than its predecessor, the Terrano, and the new Renault Duster. Hence, the new Nissan SUV will directly take on the Hyundai Creta, rather than slotting below it. Speaking of the Terrano, this SUV didn’t leave much of a mark on Indian buyers, and the brand may use a new nameplate for its version of the Duster.
A 7-seat version of this Nissan SUV and its Renault counterpart are also expected to launch in India, with the Japanese brand saying it’ll add the 7-seater SUV to its line-up by the end of FY2026. More details will be revealed as the launches of the new models draw near, so stay tuned.
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