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>>One has to admit that the Renault Duster looks a lot better in real life than in pictures.
The muscular fenders, chrome grille and twin barrel headlamps all give it good road presence.
It’s just about a little bigger than a Skoda Yeti in size, but looks a lot more menacing.
The first thing you notice about the Duster is its ground clearance at 205 mm. It tackles
bad roads with ease. The suspension is slightly stiff and there’s virtually no body roll
on twisty roads. The Duster has very sedan-like handling characteristics, thanks to its monocoque
chassis. The Duster we are driving is the RXZ 110PS
version, powered by a 1.5 litre diesel engine that puts out 108 bhp of power and 248 newton
meters of torque, with a six-speed manual transmission. There is a bit of turbo-lag
and one needs to rev it above 1800 rpm to really feel the punch of the turbocharger.
However, the Duster’s lightweight and front-wheel drive make it quite a delight to drive. The
steering feel is precise and you know exactly where your wheels are at all times. The 16
inch wheels with all-terrain tyres help in slippery conditions.
The top-end Duster gets a Bluetooth integrated audio system, with USB and Aux-in that has
good sound output. The AC is powerful and chills the cabin well. Boot space is huge
at 475 litres and a parcel tray is standard. It also has two airbags, ABS and parking sensors.
The controls are a bit quirky and take some getting used to. The power mirror controls
for instance, are under
the handbrake. The multi-function display shows you average
consumption, range and trip meters. The door pockets are deep and the glove box is illuminated.
Claimed mileage is 19 kilometers to the litre, but we managed a best figure of only about
15.9 kilometers per litre. Overall, with its huge ground clearance, butch
looks and compact dimensions, the Duster is a vehicle that will appeal to many sedan buyers
who want a vehicle that can do just that little bit extra. It’s not value for money and
has its quirks, but it will appeal to buyers who want something unique – a vehicle that
you would buy with your heart, rather than your head.