ROAD TEST
Renault Duster 1.5 dCi 4x4
Johannesburg - Regular readers of our reviews might pick up that we road tested this very car – a Renault Duster 1.5 dCi 4x4 – almost exactly two years ago. And while we normally won’t re-test a vehicle, especially with identical drivetrains, there’s quite a significant difference between that 2013 model and this brand-new one, released in South Africa just over a month ago.
We’re not just talking about its new colour-coded side mirrors and door handles, re-styled wheel design or the classier looking instrument cluster. It’s the fact that South African Dusters are now sourced from a factory in Romania and not India as per previous versions. Mechanically the two are identical, but Renault itself says the Romanian plant has a reputation for better build quality so in theory this model should be a little more refined than the pre-facelift version.
In our 2013 road test we commended the Duster for its value offering (this is one of the cheapest SUVs available in SA), but we did pick on it for the tinny rattles its doors made when closed, a scratchy plastic interior and a loose driver’s seat (we hear this was a common problem).
The new one is noticeably less tinny, and its seats were all firmly affixed, but as for its scratchy plastics, well... they’re still abundant.
All Dusters come with dark cloth upholstery, but the R10 000 optional leather fitted to our test car goes a long way to elevate perceived quality inside the cabin. Not that perceived quality was all that atrocious before, but with leather, and more attention paid to fit and finish, the latest Duster has certainly upped its game in terms of a premium feel over its predecessor.
HAPPY IN THE BUSH
Not much has changed under the skin, and I noticed that the current Duster’s gear ratios are still just as short. This manual ‘box has six forward cogs and you’ll need five of them just to get to 100km/h. I almost always used second for pulloffs, so short is the first gear, which could be effectively considered a low-range ratio for those occasions when a challenging offroad obstacle presents itself.
As far as offroad credentials go, I’d put this Renault SUV one step ahead of the burgeoning softroad crossover brigade (such as Ecosport, Mokka and HR-V), and one step below the smaller but more capable Suzuki Jimny.
The Duster mostly cruises around in front-wheel-drive mode, but all-wheel drive can be activated via a simple dial switch in the centre console. A third ‘Auto’ mode can also detect front-wheel slippage and send power rearward when necessary. Ground clearance, at 210mm, is also impressive for a vehicle in this compact SUV bracket and (just) beats out more expensive models such as Jeep’s 4x4 Renegade (200mm), and Volkswagen’s Tiguan (200mm).
AWESOME RIDE
Surprisingly for such a short, stocky and high-riding SUV, the Duster has an excellent ride quality. Where some similar sized cars bobble and bounce, this one glides instead with an assured steadiness even when roads get ripply.
This can be put down to its high-profile 16” tyres, but also a well-designed independent rear suspension which contributes to its generous ground clearance.
While a base model two-wheel drive Duster with a 1.6 petrol comes with an impressively low pricetag of R215 900, this diesel-powered 1.5 dCi 4x4 top model will set you back R269 900.
Still, if all-wheel drive is a must have, this is an absolute bargain and you’ll battle to find another vehicle with this level of quality and spec for the price. Standard fare includes a 7” colour touchscreen for multimedia and navigation systems, cruise control, ESP, and four airbags among other things; but I would like to see disc brakes at the back, a reach-adjustable steering column and headlights that switch off with the ignition. These three things should be standard in all cars today.
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Power: 80kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1750rpm
0-100km/h (claimed): 12.8 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 168km/h
Consumption (claimed): 5.2 litres per 100km
Price: R269 900
Warranty: 5-year/150 000km
Service plan: 3-year/45 000km
-Star Motoring