2012 Renault Duster Review: Comfortable and Practical SUV
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2012 Renault Duster Review: A Comfortable and Practical SUV
The new Renault Duster delivers on its promises. It offers good handling, a decent driving experience, limited luxury features, and is priced around AED 55,000.
For some inexplicable reason, the 4x4 model was not available for testing, so we had to drive the 4x2 version. Therefore, we cannot provide a thorough analysis of its off-road capabilities.
We tested the 4x2 (2WD) PE, and here are our observations.
Space
With a trunk capacity of 475 liters—and 1,636 liters with the rear seats folded—the Duster offers ample and practical space. You will want to make the most of a vehicle this size. By folding down the front passenger seat, there’s nearly 2.65 meters of length available for your longer luggage (such as ski boards or a tent pole). After driving on some unpaved roads, we can confirm that it comfortably accommodates five people, with sufficient legroom for taller passengers.
Interior
Featuring grey carbon-fabric seats and a plastic interior, this model is not exactly the most luxurious among its competitors. As you choose higher trims, the interior quality improves (as is common in most vehicles). Nonetheless, there was a significant amount of hard plastic, and the color scheme is uninspiring.
Some controls and buttons are placed excellently, or we could say comfortably. For instance, the automatic window and door locks are located on the front panel, which we found convenient and easy to use. However, the audio controls and door mirror adjustments are positioned oddly, but you won’t need to use them in an emergency.
Comfort
The seats are spacious and comfortable, and even on unpaved roads, rear passengers won’t feel discomfort. In fact, you’ll find that this SUV offers sedan-like comfort, making it a great choice for long trips.
Handling
The Renault Duster is large yet lightweight, with a ground clearance of approximately 205 mm, making it a tall vehicle as well! However, its lightness—this model weighs 1,205 kg—makes it agile and easier to control compared to some other SUVs of similar height but heavier weight. It handles sharp turns well, and even this two-wheel-drive version has decent off-road capabilities (to some extent), thanks to its ground clearance and front and rear approach angles of around 30 degrees.
Conclusion
At around AED 50,000, this SUV is cheaper than the Toyota Yaris Hatchback. While you shouldn’t expect too much for that price, the Duster doesn’t skimp on what matters. You might not find many luxury features (though there are a few), but you will get a comfortable, practical SUV with an appealing exterior design. There may be some debate about the control panel, but you won’t take long to get used to the quirks found in every vehicle. Suitable for daily use, long trips, and practical for families, this car has the potential to be a big winner.
