If you're a new driver or looking to add an affordable and enjoyable SUV to your garage, options like the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster may catch your eye. While the EcoSport is the more stylish choice, the significantly lower-priced Duster with its extensive feature list explains why it remains a leader in its segment.

Exterior Design

Both competitors have their strengths and weaknesses in exterior design, but the most important aspects remain:

Trunk space
Fuel economy
Resale value

In terms of dimensions, the Duster is longer, wider, and taller than the EcoSport, but this does not necessarily translate to more passenger space inside. Stay with us to learn more.

Interior Design

To enhance practicality, the EcoSport offers more storage options for your phone, wallet, keys, and drinks, including a central storage box that the Duster lacks. The design features a modern, futuristic aesthetic for both the dashboard and center console.

The vehicle is equipped with an 8-inch entertainment display at the top of the dashboard, providing a premium and contemporary feel to the interior, complemented by ample head and legroom in both front and rear seats (despite its shorter wheelbase).

The Renault Duster, on the other hand, is revolutionary in its own right. While it has sacrificed the central storage box for larger seats, it also provides drivers with a Land Rover-inspired armrest attached to the seat for added comfort on long journeys.

As for the entertainment screen, it appears somewhat outdated and lacks the clarity found in the EcoSport's display. However, the well-designed rotary buttons for the automatic climate control deserve a mention, featuring sleek digital displays integrated within.

Technological Features

The Ford EcoSport aims to deliver specifications suitable for today's millennials, offering a long list of features that includes:

Keyless entry with a push-button start
Customizable instrument cluster
Automatic headlights
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Cooled storage compartment

However, the affordable Renault Duster boasts a set of enviable features that are hard to find in its price range. The Duster comes equipped with cruise control, a blind-spot monitoring system, a 7-inch entertainment screen with integrated navigation, a 360-degree camera system, and a four-wheel drive monitoring system.

Driving Experience

Under the hood, the American vehicle features a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine that generates 123 horsepower and 151 Nm of torque, transferring this power to its front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of dimensions, which resemble a longer hatchback more than an SUV, the vehicle offers tighter turning capabilities and a more comfortable driving experience, especially with its soft suspension system. Naturally, body roll during cornering was more pronounced than expected for such a compact vehicle, but this is the trade-off for achieving a smooth and comfortable ride.

The Renault Duster holds the upper hand in terms of engine power, equipped with a 2.0-liter engine producing 135 horsepower and 195 Nm of torque. However, this performance is not optimal. The vehicle features a 4-speed automatic transmission that feels sluggish on highways and works against its fuel economy goal, with a consumption rate of 8.7 liters/100 km.

Nonetheless, the Ford EcoSport has a front-wheel-drive system, while the Renault Duster is equipped with a four-wheel-drive system that allows for off-road driving, complete with a rear differential locking feature. This capability gives it another advantage over its rival, the EcoSport.

Conclusion

While both vehicles offer strong competition in terms of design, features, and driving nature, there is a clear winner when we consider the price. The Ford EcoSport comes at a price of AED 87,045, which is quite high, while the fully loaded Renault Duster is priced at AED 70,980, making it a more attractive and economical choice.

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