The Renault Duster Thread

Tested: Renault Duster TechRoad is practical, frugal and well priced

VERDICT

If you’re looking for a reasonably sized SUV for the price of a smaller one, the Duster gives you lots of metal for the money, while the 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine provides acceptable performance and excellent fuel economy. You're essentially getting something almost as big as a C-segment SUV, in the lower end of the B-segment price range. As mentioned, Duster prices start at R260 900, while our Techroad EDC model is listed at R332 900.

The Duster is a comfortable vehicle too and it looks like an SUV should look. Most models are 4x2s, but if you want to go off-roading, there is also a 4x4 version on offer, albeit with a manual gearbox only.

All considered, the Duster range offers excellent value for money and it worth keeping at the top of your list if you’re looking for a family-sized vehicle.


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Is the 5 year/150'000km warranty a new thing with the Renaults?

Quite impressive actually. I would have thought it to be a bit less due to it being a 'budget' car but it actually surpasses the packages offered by more premium manufacturers
 
WATCH | Renault stuns all by showcasing its Duster with new turbo petrol engine

At the recently concluded Auto Expo, Renault sprung a surprise by unveiling a new engine for its Duster range.

The French automaker showcased its popular mid-sized Duster with a brand new turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine. Currently, in South Africa, the only petrol model in the Duster range is the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre motor.

This newest addition to the Duster range will only see cosmetic changes to the SUV’s front, while the overall profile and rear will remain untouched. The SUV will also continue with the same interior we’ve become used to. The 1.3-litre engine is good for around 115kW and 250Nm, and the engine is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Though the newcomer is poised to hit Indian showroom floors in the second quarter of 2020, Renault South Africa said that "this engine is not available for our market, and will not be making its way to SA anytime soon."

 
Same engine used in the Mercedes Benz?
Yebo:

Renault Duster to get A-Class Engine

Merc's 1.3 A200 engine planned for Duster.

The small engine cooperation agreement between Renault and Mercedes-Benz will soon benefit global fans of the Duster compact SUV.

It is no secret that many of the A-Class entry-level engine options are not researched or developed in Germany. The now tenuous Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance has in the recent past pooled resources to engineer some excellent compact turbocharged engines and the latest rollout strategy for these, includes an upgrade for Duster.

Adaptable to a variety of applications and environments, the HR13 engine is rated at different power outputs, depending on fuel quality in its destination market. For introduction to the Duster, this turbocharged 1.3-litre engine is expected to boost 115 kW and 250 Nm.

 
I quite like the duster. Does it come with a way to log trips and fuel stops via app?
 
Dacia Duster Bi-fuel 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

If you were in the market for a 1.0-litre Duster already, there’s little reason not to opt for this instead. At only £400 more than the entry-level petrol, you could break even on the extra costs in little over a year of driving.

It remains practical, comfortable and affordable family transport, with few rivals that can match it on sheer value alone, although the lack of an all-wheel drive option may come as a disappointment to some.

The option is unlikely to make the jump to parent company Renault’s line-up, which already includes hybrid, plug-in and fully electric options, but LPG does seemingly have a place at the lower end of the price spectrum.

While alternatively-fuelled models carry a higher price premium, we can see the appeal in reducing your carbon footprint for considerably less cash.

Dacia Duster Comfort TCe 100 4x2 Bi-Fuel specification

Where Surrey, UK Price £15,255 On sale now Engine 999cc, 3-cyls, turbocharged, petrol / lpg Power 99bhp at 5000rpm Torque 125lb ft at 2000rpm Gearbox 5-spd manual Kerb weight 1252kg Top speed 106mph (petrol) 104mph (lpg) 0-62mph 14.4sec (petrol), 13.8sec (lpg) Fuel economy 43.3-44.1mph (petrol), 35.3mpg (lpg) CO2 145g/km (petrol) 129g/km (lpg), 32% Rivals MG ZS, Ssangyong Tivoli


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Off-road prowess and fuel-efficient: 10 reasons why the Duster is strong seller for Renault SA

• Duster has been on sale in SA since 2013.

• More than 15 000 units have been sold locally.

• A petrol and diesel engine power the range.

10 good reasons

To remind South Africans of the Duster's prowess, here are ten of the SUV's aspects that helped make it a success.

1. The Duster first arrived locally in 2013. Since then, more than 15 000 units have been sold, and globally more than 2 million.

2. Off-roading is no issue for the Duster, thanks to its 210mm ground clearance.

3. While going off the beaten track is what the Duster lives for, it retains practicality and boasts with a spacious 478L boot.

4. Keyless entry and start is standard on the Duster, as well as an auto-lock function.

5. The Duster boasts with a rugged look and is rounded off by 16- or 17-inch Alloy wheels. C-shaped daytime-running lights are standard.

6. The electronic features are not forgotten, and the Duster is fitted with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, a smart 4x4 monitor on 4x4 models, as well as climate control, rear-view camera, and satellite navigation.

7. On the safety front, the Duster is kitted with several airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and ABS brakes, among others.

8. Three engines make up the range: a 1.6-litre 16V petrol engine, and two versions of the 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine.

9. The Duster's fuel rating begins at a lowly 4.8-litre/100km.

10. The Duster comes standard with a three-year/ 45 000km Service Plan and a five-year/ 150 000km Warranty.

 
Renault Duster TechRoad In SA (2020) Specs & Price

Renault has expanded its Duster SUV range in South Africa with the introduction of the Duster TechRoad. See what’s on offer below…

The Duster SUV has proven to be hugely popular in South Africa thanks to the combination of its rugged styling and practical interior. More than 21 000 Dusters have found a home in Mzansi since the model’s launch in 2013.

Now, Renault has introduced the Duster TechRoad to the South African market.

Renault Duster (2020) Price in South Africa

Duster 1.6 Expression 4x2 - R278 900

Duster 1.5 dCi TechRoad 4x2 - R316 900

Duster 1.5 dCi TechRoad EDC 4x2 - R350 900

Duster 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4x4 - R350 900

Duster 1.5 dCi Prestige EDC 4x2 - R363 900

The Renault Duster is sold with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, 3-year/45 000 km service and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty.

 
GOOD NEWS! IT'S THE CONVERTIBLE DACIA DUSTER

James May will be thrilled

Car makers have routinely tried to sell us convertible SUVs and they've always more or less failed. Nissan gave us the cosmetically challenged Murano Convertible and Land Rover gave it a go with the Convertible Evoque, which was kinda funky but still failed because, well, no one actually bought one. VW recently introduced the Convertible T-Roc and now, lo and behold, here comes the James May-approved convertible...Duster! Good news!

The convertible Duster is made in Bucharest by a Romanian tuner called Auto K9 and I want to stress from the outset that this is not a 3D rendering or anything like that, this is an actual car which can be driven in the real world. Amazing. The conversion took about four months and it cost over €30,000 (around £27k or $36).


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Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo Petrol : Official Review - Team-BHP

The Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo-Petrol is on sale in India at a price of between Rs. 10.49 - 13.59 lakhs.

Renault Duster Turbo Pros:
• A Duster on steroids! 154 BHP motor has transformed its personality
• Very fast & loads of fun on the open road. Punchy mid-range will leave you grinning
• Turbo-petrol's refinement levels are terrific, including at high rpm
• Smooth CVT automatic available. It's quick too

• Mature ride quality & sorted dynamics
• The Duster is still a good-looking crossover. Exterior styling has aged well
• Robust, abuse-friendly build & construction
• Practical boot (475 - 1064 liters of cargo capacity)
• Fair pricing for a 154 BHP crossover. Lakhs cheaper than the Creta / Seltos 1.4 Turbos
• ESP is a crucial safety feature in a fast car, while Hill Hold is very useful with a laggy engine
• 205 mm of ground clearance. Dismisses broken roads with aplomb

Renault Duster Turbo Cons:
• 1.3L turbo-petrol suffers lag at low revs. It's very easy to stall too
• Duster's terribly old & outdated interiors are the biggest deal-breaker
• Feature list is basic by current times (no sunroof or keyless entry & go, just 2 airbags...)
• Ride quality is good, but retuned suspension & 17" rims have taken the "magic" away

• Price premium of ~2 lakhs for the turbo-petrol & 1.6 lakhs for the CVT is way too high
• Red highlights all over the car look extremely garish; we'd get them removed
• The next-gen Duster is already on sale globally, but Renault won't bring it here
• Workhorse 1.5L diesel & competent AWD are gone!!!
• Mediocre rear seat legroom. More like C1 segment sedans than C2
• Road & wind noise are prominent at high speed
• Renault's after-sales service quality is inconsistent

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10 facts about the Renault Duster you might not have known

• The Renault Duster competes in the competitive B-SUV segment.

• Locally, more than 21 000 Duster models have been sold since 2013.

• It boasts a ground clearance of 210mm, and prices start from R289 900.

 
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