What is it?
The Duster is Renault’s most successful car in the country (though the Kwid is hot on its heels) and has sold more than 1.4 lakh units since its launch back in 2012. It is, after all, the Duster that made the relatively unknown French brand a household name. But now the competition is tougher with Hyundai creating a superb product in the Creta and with recent launches like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The Duster has aged and needed a mid-life refresh to keep it in the game. Introducing the Duster facelift. Like any other facelift, the Duster gets multiple interior and exterior updates, but most importantly it now comes with the option of an automatic gearbox.
All-new?
Not really, being a facelift the Duster has by and large remained the same. But now for the first time in India, it is being offered as an automatic. The Duster still comes with two engine options — a 1.5 diesel and a 1.6 petrol engine. The facelifted Duster comes with the option of a six-speed AMT, but it is only available on the higher output 1.5 diesel (the 1.5 diesel is sold in two power outputs — one making 83bhp and the other making 108bhp).
Will it turn heads?
Most definitely. While the facelifted Duster retains its general shape, details have been updated to freshen things up. The twin-slat grille is new and so are the headlight and taillight assemblies. The 16-inch wheels have been changed, and with their new gunmetal finish are more stylish than the wheels on the previous Duster. The roof-rails are chunkier and are embossed with the Duster name. The car we had was in a newly available paint called Cayenne Orange and calling it loud would be an understatement. Overall, the car isn’t too far removed from its predecessor, but looks more purposeful with a breath of fresh air. Turning heads certainly won’t be a problem for it.
What else?
The Duster has gotten a much needed refresh of its interiors and a whole host of new features as well. The pre-facelift interiors felt a generation old and this refresh is very welcome. The top-of-the-line Duster had a touchscreen before but it now also doubles up as a display for the rear parking camera. The Duster also gets automatic climate control and electric ORVMs. The car retains the chunky steering wheel and now the driver gets an armrest, similar to the one in the Scorpio. The dash is a neat affair and soft touch buttons add some premiumness to it. The interiors are dual tone but instead of beige, they are dark brown.
Fun to drive?
The Duster has always been a pleasure to drive. The ride and handling on this SUV has remained sorted as ever. The AWD Duster gets an independent rear suspension and this FWD Duster doesn’t but that doesn’t mean the ride isn’t pliant. Bumps and potholes are dealt with without breaking a sweat. The Duster’s hydraulic steering gives plenty of feedback but tends to kickback sometimes when cornering heard.
What is different on this car though is the AMT. The 1.5-litre diesel has always been a punchy motor. It makes plenty of torque — 248Nm right from 1750Nm, and heaves this SUV along really well. The only issue it really has is the clatter, but this is less pronounced once you’re inside the car. When paired with the AMT, the motor still pulls rather well, though the engine feels like it has been dulled slightly. The AMT is a bit slow to respond, especially when you want to downshift. Stamp on the throttle and you’re left in limbo for a few moments before its artificial brain realises you want it to shift down and it does so. Also, being an AMT, the shifts aren’t the quickest and the points where the clutch deactuates and actuates are rather far apart. A dual clutch transmission would’ve done away with all these problems though the costs would’ve gone through the roof and we can see why Renault opted for an AMT instead. Slot the car into manual override mode and things get much better — the shifts take equally long but now you have control over when the car shifts. The SUV gets hill start assist, along with ABS, EBD and brake assist.
Easy on the pocket?
Renault claim that the manual Duster has a fuel economy figure of 19.72kmpl, while the AMT version is 19.6kmpl (both ARAI figures). Expect around 15kmpl in real world conditions. The Duster gets an Eco button that dulls throttle responses as well as lowers the load on the AC to save fuel.
Competition Check
The Duster sits precariously in a position below a full size SUV and above the sub-four metre SUVs. If you discount the Terrano, its closest competition at the moment would be from the Creta. But the sub-four metre SUV segment is also getting stronger. Maruti Suzuki just launched the Vitara Brezza which has turned out to be quite a good car, and could eat into the Duster’s market share. However, there isn’t an automatic Brezza on sale yet. What the Duster does have going for itself is the fact that it gets a rather capable AWD system and appeals to people who genuinely want to use their SUV for more than grocery runs.
Good value?
The Duster now starts at Rs. 8.46 lakh, but this is the petrol variant. The variant we tested was the top of the line RXZ AMT Duster, and that will set you back Rs. 12.86 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The AMT is also available on the lower RXL variant which costs Rs. 11.66 lakh, but then you’d be giving up goodies like the touchscreen, height adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control and most crucially, the passenger airbag. Meanwhile the automatic Creta costs Rs 14.38 lakh and neither the EcoSport or the Brezza get an automatic.
The Creta’s torque converter allows for a better driving experience but if don’t want to shell out what the Creta is asking for, the Duster is the way to go. And that makes us wonder — how much more would it have cost to have a DCT in the Duster and make the whole package irresistible?