Upcoming Nissan C-SUV Spied; To Rival Creta, Grand Vitara | V3Cars

The upcoming Nissan SUV will serve a crucial role in Nissan’s strategy to revitalise its portfolio, which currently comprises just one SUV: the Magnite. Set to arrive by mid-2026, the upcoming C-SUV will be positioned as a direct competitor to popular models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, among others..

While a heavily camouflaged test mule was spotted, several key design elements align with the design teasers Nissan released in March 2025. Let’s take a look.

2026 Nissan’s Duster-Based C-SUV Spied

Despite the extensive camouflage, the new SUV’s design cues are evident. It showcases a strong, upright stance with a robust and purposeful silhouette. The spy images reveal a prominent grille, likely to feature a central Nissan logo, flanked by C-shaped LED DRLs. The bonnet has a sculpted look, and the flared wheel arches, along with 5-spoke alloy wheels, give it a muscular character. 

Unique to the side profile is the placement of the rear door handles, which appear to be integrated into the C-pillar, a design trait also seen on the Renault Duster. The rear features a sporty roof spoiler, a shark fin antenna, and what appear to be rectangular tail lights.

Interior & Features: A Glimpse Into The Cabin

Information about the interior is still limited, but it is expected to mirror the new Renault Duster in terms of overall layout and feature set. The SUV is likely to be packed with modern tech and convenience features to keep up with the segment’s high standards. 

Speculated features include: 

• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 7-inch digital driver display
• Automatic climate control
• Rear AC vents
• Panoramic sunroof

For safety, the new Nissan SUV is expected to include a comprehensive suite of features, with top-end variants likely offering an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite.

Performance: A Hybrid And CNG Future

The upcoming Nissan SUV is expected to be a petrol-only model at launch. We expect it to come equipped with a 1.3L turbo-petrol engine, which produces 154PS of power and 250Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). It remains to be seen if the India-spec model will receive a lower variant with a manual gearbox and a higher variant with an all-wheel Drive (AWD) system.

We expect Nissan to position their new SUV higher than their previous C-segment offering, the Terrano, and also above the upcoming Renault Duster. Given the Terrano’s limited success in the Indian market, we believe Nissan could adopt a fresh new nameplate for this crucial new model.

Nissan India: The Road Ahead

Nissan will kickstart their new growth strategy with the launch of a B-segment MPV based on the Renault Triber. This new MPV is likely to go on sale during the 2025 festive season. Apart from the MPV and the Duster-based SUV, Nissan have also confirmed a 7-seat SUV similar to the Renault Bigster. Nissan India also plan to launch an affordable EV, the next-gen Magnite and the new X-Trail SUV in the coming years.

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Also Read: Honda Introduce Elite Pack For 2025 Elevate – Offers 360 Degree Camera, Ambient Lighting

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