2016 Renault Duster Review: Affordable Budget SUV

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The Renault Duster was first launched in France in 2010 and adopted the alias of the Dacia Duster in some regions, along with the Nissan Terrano in others. While the Duster comes in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants, this review focuses on the latter, aiming to discover just how much fun can be had behind the wheel of this budget SUV.

Claimed to be outrageously affordable, the Duster’s AED 49,900 starting price is indeed impressive, especially when coupled with a 3 Years/60,000 Km service contract, a 5 years/1 million Km warranty, and 1 year of free insurance.

Key Features

Exterior

Understated yet appealing, the Duster’s exterior remains fairly unchanged from its predecessor. The bulky headlamps, roof rack, vented grille, and protruding bumpers all reinforce the Duster’s off-road pretensions.

Although it’s halogen headlamps that illuminate the road ahead, it’d be wrong to expect otherwise. It's worth noting that only the four-wheel-drive variant comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the others make do with steel.

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Interior

The Renault Duster is approximately 45% cheaper than the Nissan Qashqai, yet it offers more space inside. While its design may appear utilitarian, the cabin is surprisingly roomy, providing ample head and leg room for all occupants.

Despite evident cost-cutting measures, the Duster lacks a central armrest, features ultra-flimsy trim, and presents an ergonomic challenge. The horn is positioned at the end of the indicator stalk, and the cruise control and speed limiter switches are merely decorative on the center console.

However, space is abundant! In addition to two oddly placed compartment bins along the dashboard, there are several cubbyholes for storage around the cabin. The capacious boot can easily accommodate two large suitcases, highlighting the Duster’s practicality.

Safety & Features

The Duster is equipped with essential safety features including ABS brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and a couple of airbags. However, it falls short compared to its rivals in safety ratings, earning only a three-star Euro NCAP crash rating, lagging behind the more affordable Ford EcoSport.

The Duster does offer a decent sound system, a multimedia touchscreen with USB and AUX capability, a reverse camera, parking sensors, and a handy speed-limiter function.

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Drive

The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powering the Renault Duster delivers a respectable 135 horsepower and 195 Nm of torque. With an easy-to-operate drive mode selector and impressive approach and departure angles of 30° and 36°, it caters well to occasional outdoor enthusiasts.

The Duster effortlessly conquers gravel and small dunes, proving capable of handling milder parts of the UAE desert. While it may not challenge the Suzuki Jimny on the dunes, it certainly gives it a good try.

On the tarmac, the small SUV manages well against aggressive tailgaters and speeders, offering a smooth and comfortable ride once up to speed. Averaging 5.5 liters / 100km, it isn’t designed for spirited driving, but the brakes are more than sufficient to bring it to a halt.

Verdict

The Renault Duster carries a reputation for being budget-friendly, often viewed as a statement of frugality. Although a bit underpowered, it offers tremendous value for less than its rivals. At AED 49,900, the Duster represents a smart choice.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Low price tag
• Large cabin and storage space
• 4-Wheel-Drive option for mild off-roading

Cons:

• A tad underpowered
• Interior feels dated and lacks basic features
• Poor safety rating

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