Car review: Renault Duster 1,5 dCi dynamique 4X2
I have made it no secret that I love the Renault Duster. I have recommended it to people who have called me to say how much they also love it and it’s one of the best buys they have made. It’s no wonder though really. It is an affordable compact SUV that is more than capable of going off road. It’s honest, rugged and my favourite part, no frills. It doesn’t pretend to be anything else other than what it is.
I got to drive the 1,5 dCi Dynamique 4X2 for a full week and I loved every minute of it (Read about the previous generation 1,5 dCi Dynamique 4X4 or a video review). It may not be as refined as some of its rivals such as the Nissan Juke or Renault Captur, but all I kept thinking was that if I had a bunch of kids and needed a car to get me from A to B without worrying about space, dirt or road surfaces, then this would be high up on my list of cars to buy. In fact, kids or no kids, it would still be high up on the list.
I am not alone when it comes to loving this car. Since its global launch back in 2010 it has sold 400 000 units. It came to our shores in 2013 and has sold more than 8 000 here.
So what’s new on this updated model that launched in August?
The exterior sees enhancements to its chrome-plated horizontal strip section on the radiator grille which has been re-designed with Renault’s bold diamond centrepiece now set in to two strips instead of the previous three. The headlights have seen a change and new roof bars with the Duster name etched in to the aluminium insets has been added. The rear view side mirrors are body coloured, it sports new allow wheels and rear parking distance control sensors has been added as standard across the range.
The interior sports a new patterned fabric and cruise control is also standard across the range.
The line up remains unchanged, still offering two 1,6 petrol engines and two 1,5 diesel engines. This 1,5 dCi 4X2 now delivers a lowered fuel efficiency of 4,8 l/100 km as opposed to the previous 5,5 l/100 km. But the outputs remain the same (80 Kw and 240 N.m).
This car is composed both on and off the road. Like I mentioned, it may not be as refined as some of its competitors but it feels more refined than its predecessor. My only gripe, and to be fair I have this issue with more than a few touch screens, the 7-inch MedaiNav touchscreen, although easy to navigate, is really hard to see when sunlight shines on to it…which when driving in the day is pretty much all the time. I found myself struggling to change radio stations and felt as guilty as if I were texting while driving…which I never do. My other issue was with the phone pairing, although easy enough to do, I could hardly hear anyone even with the volume up full. This could just be my phone, but I only have this issue with the Renault system.
The other tiny problem I have is with the boot button. I know this is nitpicking but I find it very stiff and managed to bend my nail back more than once when trying to open the boot. Again, maybe I have a spaz thumb and it is something I would eventually get used to. But speaking of the boot, it has oodles of space, 408-litres of space!
Overall, this car is comfortable and like I say, it doesn’t pretend to be anything it is not. It is affordable and capable off-road…not two words you often see in one sentence. If you often find yourself off the beaten track and need something unpretentious, then this is your best bet!
Pricing:
Duster 1.6 Expression 4×2 R215 900
Duster 1.6 Dynamique 4×2 R234 900
Duster 1.5 dCI Dynamique 4×2 R255 900
Duster 1.5 dCI Dynamique 4×4 R272 900