The Renault Duster, will it eat its rival’s dust, or make its own?

Suddenly the local market sees the arrival of characterful fresh compact cross-overs.  Hot on the heels of the Ford EcoSport, the Renault Duster arrives…  so will it eat its rival’s dust, or make its own?

For years we’ve seen people downsizing or moving across from large sedans into smaller sedans, or moving from from large SUVs into more mid-size ones.  Now the compact cross-over is the sensible target, as this segment grew massively in some overseas markets.

Where the EcoSport relies on its Fiesta-sharing friendliness, the Duster is definitely the more rugged character.  Just simplistic functional basic toughness.  This down-to-earth cross-over SUV is popular in countries outside Europe, namely Russia, India and Brazil – now it is ready to take on the tip of Africa.

The Duster is offered here in 1.6 petrol front-wheel drive or 1.5dCi turbo diesel in either front or AWD (All Wheel Drive).  Renault says the Duster is also capable on dusty roads, as all models have good ground clearance (205mm for 4x2 or 210mm in AWD) and high-profile tyres with suspension reinforced for loose-surface ability.  Where it kicks dust in its competitors’ eyes is it AWD offering – other modern similar vehicles are all front-wheel drive.  However, only manual gears are available, where an automatic would have been a more relaxing choice for some buyers.  The dCi is definitely the stronger performer.

In the suburbs the Duster is definitely more SUV-like than its very popular Renault Sandero Stepway little brother (a raised-suspension hatchback with roof rails).  The Duster’s higher driving position and square, almost utilitarian appearance creates a good all-round city runabout, with a refreshing honest basic appeal.  The interior trim and fit&finish is quite utilitarian, which is either part of the no-frills appeal, or could feel a bit cheaply built.

The base Expression spec level is only twinned with the 1.6 petrol, creating a starting point of R 204 900 as at time of writing (having gone up since its launch last year, when it entered and surprised the market at R 194 900).  For this hatchback money you get the roof bars, air conditioning, electric windows front and rear, remote central locking, electric mirror adjusters, CD/MP3 audio with steering fingertip controls (on a stalk behind the steering wheel – where it is not always easy to use), aux jack and USB port, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors.  Quite well specced.

The Dynamique name is not a more dynamic vehicle but rather indicates more equipment, and makes up the other 3 derivatives:  1.6 and 1.5dCi 4x2 or 4x4.  Dynamique gains alloy wheels, and satin-chrome (silver) trim for the outer door handles, roof bars, side sills, mirrors and skid plates – for that proper 4x4 look outside.  Inside Renault gives a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear grip, and a touch-screen built-in navigation multi-media system, allowing control of nav, radio, portable music devices and mobile phone through an 18cm screen.

*Prices are R216 900 for the 1.6 Dynamique, and an extra R19 000 for the more frugal higher-torque diesel (so that’s R235 900) and another round R20 000 for the AWD.  Renault SA even includes a 5-year 150 000 km warranty, and a 3-year 45 000 km service plan.

Such a clever idea this – a simplistic square tough-looking compact cross-over, with fairly good equipment and uncomplicated engineering, at great-value pricing.  With the Duster name it also clearly introduces itself as a characterful unusual vehicle, ready to kick up some dust and get really functional.