We like
Impressive on- and off-road manners; surprisingly torquey engines; sensible ergonomics and use of cabin space; terrific entry price; well calibrated driver assistance technologies

Room for improvement
Supply constraints and manual-only 4WD offering will limit sales initially; full hybrid offering not available locally; very plasticky interior; somewhat fussy human-machine interface

Overview

 

TOP GEAR fans might be familiar with Renault’s eastern European sub-brand Dacia and its range of durable, no-nonsense models like the Sandero, Logan, and Duster.

 

Sold globally under the Renault moniker, the Romanian-built compact SUV is finally available in the land Down Under, priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs, and taking the fight to rivals like the Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, and Suzuki Jimny – to name but a few.

 

Two- and four-wheel drive configurations are available from launch with power sourced from a 113kW/277Nm turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the case of the 4x2 and a 96kW/230Nm turbocharged 1.2-litre mild hybrid three-cylinder petrol for the 4x4.

 

The 1.3-litre engined 4x2 operates on 91 RON unleaded petrol, and the 1.2-litre unit  in the 4x4 requires 95 RON (or higher) premium unleaded.

 

Fuel consumption figures are listed at 6.5- and 5.7 litres per 100km respectively.

 

For now, 4x2 variants are available exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission while the 4x4 offers only a six-speed manual. Renault Australia says the latter will be offered with an automatic shortly, possibly as soon as early in the new year.

 

In both instances, braking is via four-wheel discs and suspension via a strut front / torsion beam rear combination in 4x2 variants, or with a multi-link rear in 4x4 variants. Ground clearance is listed at an impressive 212mm. That’s just 8mm shy of the Subaru Crosstrek and 8mm greater than that of the rudimental Suzuki Jimny.

 

Towing capacity is listed at 1500kg (braked) across the board, while cargo volume varies between 4x2 and 4x4 grades with 472 litres in the former and 358 litres in the latter.

 

The entry-grade Evolution 4x2 offers a generous standard equipment list with highlights including 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing LED headlights, electronic parking brake, fixed roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors.

 

Technology inclusions add a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment array, the latter with AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio reception, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, Arkamys six-speaker sound, and wireless device charging.

 

Stepping up to the Duster Techno (from $37,990 + ORC) we find 18-inch alloys, premium cloth upholstery, rear privacy glass, a 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, auto high beam, split-level cargo area (4x2 models only), and modular roof rails.

 

Colour choices include Solid White at no cost, or for $750 the choice of Cedar Green, Khaki Green, Pearlescent Black, Sandstone, Shadow Grey, or Terracotta.

 

All grades are equipped with a long list of safety features including front, side, and curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking, driver attention alert, ISOFIX and top-tether child-seat anchorages, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, safe follow distance warning, traffic sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitoring.

 

The high-grade Techno models add blind spot monitoring.

 

Driving Impressions

 

The third-generation Renault Duster is a terrific option for city dwellers with a thirst for weekend adventures or country folk requiring a vehicle with the ground clearance and traction to tackle pockmarked and unsealed surfaces.

 

More than most contenders in its segment, the Duster stands up well to Australia’s decaying rural backroads, its lightweight CMF-B platform (shared with the Nissan Juke), polished damping, and impressive off-road geometry gifting the vehicle with a broader skillset than any for the price.

 

Renault says the Duster offers a 31-degree approach angle in four-wheel drive format – thanks in part to a model-specific front bumper – 24-degree ramp-over angle, and 36-degree departure angle. Couple those figures with 212mm of ground clearance and 450mm of water wading ability, and it’s evident the Duster is one mighty capable little machine.

 

And while it doesn’t offer a two-speed transfer case like the Suzuki Jimny, the Duster’s four-wheel drive system is capable of sending up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels as required.

 

Testing the vehicle at the former Holden proving ground in Lang Lang, Victoria, we can testify that the Duster will go places many real four-wheel drives might struggle – making a meal of every hurdle placed in its path.

 

Of course, the Duster is more than just a nifty off-roader… Circling the undulating Bass Hills that surround the proving ground it is impressive how well the vehicle tolerates sub-par surfaces.

 

It takes a pretty large crater to unsettle the Duster’s poise, the suspension providing a controlled ride that is complemented by sweetly assisted steering to provide not only a sense of confidence, but a great big dollop of enjoyment, too.

 

The Duster’s seating position is a little less car-like than some of its rivals (say, the Subaru Crosstrek), feeling more akin to that of a traditional SUV. Likewise, the cushioning is rather flat and formless, perhaps reflecting the more austere virtues of a vehicle made for markets whose road conditions are worse than ours.

 

The Duster’s acres of hard plastics and, shall we say, more durable surfacing is likewise a nod to the outdoorsy character it aims to portray. Thankfully, the vehicle’s more pragmatic traits are matched with exceptional ergonomics, the relationship with the steering, pedals, and gearshift all a cut above our expectations.

 

Equalling that sentiment is the performance of the relatively tiny engines available in the Duster line-up. The 1.2-litre TCe engine (familiar to the likes of the Kangoo, Clio, and Captur) and 1.3-litre HR13DDT units (co-developed with Nissan and Mercedes-Benz) are effortlessly torquey, aiding in a smooth step-off from a standing start and progressive acceleration thereafter.

 

Whether sampling the automatic or the manual, it’s obvious Renault has spaced the transmission ratios appropriately for the Duster’s objectives. It feels just as lively in the 0-50km/h range as it does when passing on the open road (say from 70-100km/h), while at the same time delivering plenty of pulling power for climbing steep grades.

 

While the drive around the proving ground and nearby backroads might have been terrific for highlighting the Duster’s capabilities, it was perhaps a poorer choice for showcasing the vehicles’ fuel consumption.

 

In the two-wheel drive automatic and four-wheel drive manual, we scored consumption figures of 7.4- and 6.8 litres per 100km respectively – numbers we know could be improved upon were we not hurriedly sampling everything the Duster is capable of.

 

So, what else should prospective buyers know about the Duster? Well, besides the fact you might be waiting a while to get your hands on one, it’s also pertinent that we note how fussy the human-machine interface can be. The menu system takes a little getting used to with some settings either not where you expect them to be, or absent entirely.

 

Put simply, the Duster is not a hi-tech offering that tries to impress with high-end graphics and complex (read: mostly pointless) gimmicks. It’s functional, honest, and in the case of its driver assistance technologies, frankly, refreshing. Younger tech-crazed buyers might baulk at the lack of automation and innovation found here, but in a very Duster way, it suits the car to a tee.

 

And it’s that kind of simplistic honesty we think pragmatic Aussie buyers will bond with. In offering an enjoyable and capable package that is largely without the superfluous technologies we have come to loathe; the Renault Duster is well-placed to make its mark in a segment packed tight with same-same offerings.

 

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