Driven! Renault's all-new Duster

By Ané Theron

With its French name plate and modest price tag, you wouldn't think the Duster is half as capable as it really is. And it was only after heading up into the Maluti mountains near Clarens last year, that I fully had the opportunity to see what the Duster can do, which lead me to believe that it should have been named the Renault Hustler instead. Well, that was the old Duster, and this is the new. Is it even better? Let's take a look.

The little Frenchman returns with added value & more stylish looks

Renault's designers have made quite a few changes to the Duster's bodywork, and all for the better. Renault says it's more athletic looking with a more expressive face and "exaggerated stance". The radiator grille is brand-spanking new, up to date with the worldwide automotive fashion trends of the moment. C-shaped daytime running lamps, fog lights and a large front protection plate round off the more horizontal-looking front end.

The most drastic exterior changes have taken place around the Duster's new bottom, however, and it's a great improvement:  Square headlights with rounded edges at the edges of the rearmost corners make a modern, yet retro style statement. When the driver's foot is on the brakes, only the outer edges of the taillights turn red. Other new additions include integrated indicators and 16/17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels.

The interior has also been completely overhauled to address the previous generation's quality and ergonomics issues. A largely horizontal dashboard design and new easy-to-reach switchgear which are pleasing to the eyes and to the touch, also feel robust and durable. The budget trim bits that were present in the outgoing model are now a thing of the past. Typical of French cars, there are storage binnacles aplenty for the modern family, including a secret stowage drawer underneath the front passenger's seat in the Prestige model. Automatic climate control is another feature that is standard from the Dynamique derivatives upwards. Park distance control is another standard feature that can potentially save you from running over a pedestrian or child as he walks or cycles behind the car.

The boot has grown to accommodate 478 litres, and our two overnight bags seemed to disappear as we were getting ready for our journey from Nelspruit into the depths Mpumalanga. The latest MediaNav system with satnav is still standard across the board, while the flagship Prestige models now come equipped with a MultiView camera to give you 'eyes' on the front, back, and flanks of your new Duster - perfect for squeezing into (and out of) tight inner-city parking spaces. Keyless entry/start is another feature that now makes its way into the new vehicle, as does Blind-Spot Warning and Hill-Start Assist.

What about the new 4x4 derivative?

The Duster 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4x4 (R321 900) which will only available from the January 2019, now boasts added off-road spec such as Hill Descent Control as well as a 4x4 monitor on the MediaNav sytem that displays bank and attack angles, as well as a digital compass in the centre. Its engine output remains at 80 kW and 260 Nm.

Driving the new flagship model
From the moment we set foot inside the Duster 1.5dCi Prestige EDC 4x2, we knew we were on to something special. Gone are the niggles of the past: The seats are more supportive, the buttons and dials feel upmarket, and the trim quality is in quite another class altogether; with regards to luxury finishes, it's more akin to the interior of a compact SUV in a segment above. Interior noise levels are also lower and the user-friendly MediaNav system's sound quality didn't let us down at highway speeds.

The first part of the launch route consisted of the worst possible gravel section, which mostly comprised a combination of loose rocks and bright orange sand. The automatic dual-clutch Duster mostly took this surface in its stride, and we weren't left shaking about in the cabin like loose change in a runner's pocket. Renault has now added traction/stability control to all the Dusters in the line-up for added protection. Two frontal airbags are standard across the board, alongside the obligatory ABS with EBD and brake assist.

On the smooth tar roads between Nelspruit and Sabie the Duster displayed hardly any body roll, and the ride quality was cushy and comfortable. The Duster's road-holding is exemplary for a vehicle with 210mm of ground clearance and I thoroughly enjoyed powering through the Longtom Pass and an array of Mpumalanga's sweeping bends. While the 1.5-litre diesel engine's 260Nm isn't going to give you an excitement-induced embolism, it does the job well and keeps fuel consumption relatively low. It was a swift drive to stay within the time schedule, and we ended our route with a consumption figure of just below 8 litres per 100 km, but under more relaxing conditions your trip computer should give you a more favourable 6-7 litres per 100km on average.

Verdict

The affordable Duster offers value and convenience spec by the bucket load in a handsome, trendy package that's now been markedly improved with regards to build-quality. While there's still isn't major leg room for adults in the back, it will offer the young, adventurous family plenty of opportunity to experience scenic, lesser-driven roads, while keeping monthly installments low and inhabitants safe. I do hope that we'll see some curtain airbags in the next generation of flagship Dusters.

Models in the line-up

DUSTER 1.6 Expression 4X2 (84kW and 156 Nm)	R249 900
DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4x2 (66kW and 210 Nm)	R282 900
DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique EDC 4x2 (80 kW and 260 Nm)	R316 900
DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4x4 (80 kW and 260 Nm)	R321 900
DUSTER 1.5 dCi Prestige EDC 4x2 (80 kW and 260 Nm)	R334 900

Options include:    

Metallic paint	R2 522
Leather seats	R10 088

The new Duster comes standard with a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000km intervals, and a standard 3-year/45 000km service plan applies.