The Renault Duster has a bit of a reputation as a small crossover that overdelivers at an underpromising price. The latest version is great value for money. A good-looking car, that is still very capable despite lacking some basic features.
It seems as though the Renault Duster has been around forever, celebrating a decade since the first-generation model launched locally in 2013. The SUV has gone on to become a family favourite in the competitive B-segment, selling more than 21,000 vehicles locally and two million units worldwide.
The Duster has aged well over time, with Renault merely improving on the existing body shape instead of making wholesale changes. Why change a winning recipe that worked so well before? Sections like the front grille, C-shaped LED daytime running headlights, alloy wheels and taillights all benefit from a fresh design. The colour palette is also extensive, with seven options to choose from.
We had the pleasure of reviewing and spending a week with the 4x2 EDC Intens unit to find out if the popular SUV really was worth all the positive hype.
A simple recipe that works
How does that saying go? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. A healthy number of Dusters have been sold, eclipsed only by models like the Clio, Kwid, Kiger and Triber. When the model first launched in 2013, it was offered with diesel and petrol engines, but the current crop is now exclusively powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. Sending power to the front or rear wheels is a six-speed dual-clutch or manual gearbox.
The diesel 1.5dCi 4x2 engine has outputs of 66kw and 210Nm and consumes just 5.1L/100km. The 4x2 EDC and 4x4 manual versions have outputs of 80kW and 250Nm with consumption from only 4.8L/100km.
An interesting fact: the Duster 1.5 dCi EDC 4x2 achieved top position in its class (Category C1 – Diesel Turbo 1300cc-2000cc) in the debut Wesbank Fuel Economy Challenge in November 2019, an accolade which is yet to be contested.
The inside of the Duster is very prompt and to the point, similarly laid out to that of its predecessors, improving instead of doing wholesale replacements. The steering wheel looks more modern, there’s an extra air vent, and we particularly liked the automatic gear selector. The hub for functionality is an 8-inch touchscreen that features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. There are also USB ports for those who prefer wires.
Some of the standard driving, active and passive features include ABS with EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), front, passenger and side airbags, Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist, cruise control, rear parking sensors, reverse camera and automatic air conditioning.
The cloth seats are decent, and there’s leather seating offered as optional.
Renault also managed to increase boot space from the same chassis, albeit not by much, from 475 in the first generation to 478 litres. Its boot space is considerably bigger than some of its closest rivals: Suzuki Vitara with 375 litres and priced at R438 900, Haval Jolion with 337 litres and priced at R334 950 and Kia Seltos with 433 litres and priced at R440 995. Another trump card is that it’s priced more affordably than the majority of those SUVs, second only to the Jolion.
The drive
Diesel engines are specifically designed to be frugal, so there was every expectation that the four-cylinder engine would be just that. Renault claims fuel consumption of 4.8 litres – for the 4x2 derivative - but the figure returned over a week of driving was around the 5.4 mark, which was achieved with normal driving and no inclination to drive conservatively.
Power delivery to the front wheels is smooth and we must commend the gearbox because we experienced no driveability issues there. The steering is quite responsive and takes some getting used to.
We had the Duster’s boot packed to the brim with a host of boxes and three extra passengers onboard that added a considerable amount of weight, but the 1.5-litre engine had more than enough torque to haul the chassis forward – no fuss. We weren’t a big fan of the armrest positioning, which, when pulled down, partially obstructs arm movement when engaging/disengaging the handbrake.
Verdict
Compared to previous products, like the Logan sedan in particular, Renault improved the craftsmanship across the park, and the result is a well-packaged SUV with plenty of boot space, an economical engine and well-priced, factors that are at the forefront of buyer's minds.
The diesel engine with the 4x4 capability is undoubtedly the sweet spot in the range and will be a tasty proposition in the minds of prospective buyers.
Pricing and aftersales
ZEN 4x2 - R377 999
ZEN 4X2 EDC - R421 999
ZEN 4X4 - R435 999
INTENS 4x2 EDC - R435 999
The range comes standard with a 5-year / 150 000km mechanical warranty, a 3-year / 45 000km service plan and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty with services scheduled for every 15 000km.
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