The second new product from Renault on test drive and detailed review; but isn't it the first in importance? After all, we are talking about the new Renault Duster! The new generation of the well-known crossover Renault Duster brings radical changes to the exterior and interior, new engines and a new list of equipment - and all this affects the new perception of the car and its character. Now I will tell you in detail why this is happening.
Design: fashionable look, comfortable interior
There is no trace of the past design with chubby wheel arches and large rectangular headlights - the new Renault Duster is trying on a fashionable bow! The elongated headlights have horizontal Y-shaped LED lines, the mirrors and the bottom of the bumpers have a gray matte finish, the front doors have an insert with a symbol made of recycled plastic and the usual handle for a natural grip, the rear doors stand out with a bulge under the wheel arch and a hidden handle on the window pillar, the trunk lid effectively goes inside the triangular lights, and there is also this concave spoiler on the rear window...
It's incredible, but the design of the new Renault Duster can be savored for a long time and in detail! Moreover, the car has not forgotten about practicality: the bottom of the front bumper is cut to improve the angle of entry (I will show another option below); a lot of protective dark plastic on the bumpers, sills, wheel arches. By the way, a rather wide sill and a protruding plastic element under it lead to the fact that you can get your pants dirty when getting on and off the front seats. Although, as for getting on the rear seats, everything is good - a well-thought-out protection around the wheel arch closes the doorway from excessive dirt. And speaking of practicality, I will also note the longitudinal rails, which can be reinstalled as crossbars - to accommodate a luggage box or a bicycle mount.
But to change the position of these rails, you need to have a Torx key and mess around with unscrewing the screws. A strange solution, considering that similar transforming rails have already been seen on other cars and everything is done much easier there. And here is another example of a strange solution - the Renault Duster headlights, which combine low beam based on LED elements and high beam based on conventional lamps. What is the point of this penny saving when you are already making a new generation of the car, and with such an original and interesting design?
A completely new generation of Renault Duster – with a completely new design that you can savor in detail! At the same time, the car has remained in plus or minus the usual dimensions: length – 4.34 meters; width – 1.8 1 meters ( or 2.07 meters including mirrors ) ; height – 1.66 meters; wheelbase – 2.66 meters. The declared ground clearance is 209-217 mm depending on the specific version of the car. The angle of entry is 31 degrees, the angle of departure is 36 degrees. The protective belt around the perimeter of the car is made of Starkle material , which is obtained from recycled plastic; moreover, the plastic itself on the bottom of the body is painted in mass – that is, scratches will be almost invisible. The headlights combine LED and halogen, which is surprising. By the way, the Dacia Duster crossover gets an insert-strip between the headlights, but the version for our market uses a radiator grille with the RENAULT inscription - in my opinion, it turned out well and is noticeable!
The interior is not inferior in its originality to the exterior of the car. It all starts with a change in the concept of the front panel, where the emphasis was placed on the large 10-inch display - now it is installed separately, the ventilation deflectors are located under it. By the way: the deflectors themselves also imitate a horizontal Y-shaped element, a similar design can be seen in the form of a door handle - it looks very cool! Also memorable is the dark mint-colored insert with a texture like denim and also with the DUSTER inscription, which decorates the front panel - it looks very original! Finally, I would like to note the gray ceiling with a coating like coarse fabric and seats with a beautiful profile, contrasting dark-light trim, as well as the Renault logo - it looks very interesting!
Of course, all this is great; but what about practicality? Everything is good. Good visibility, a bunch of shelves and pockets are provided, there is wireless charging, physical climate control buttons are installed. The display of climate settings is organized on the lower part of the central display; in the same place there are virtual touch buttons for turning on the heated seats, steering wheel, windshield. Yes, yes, you read everything correctly: in addition to the usual heated seats, the Renault Duster crossover also has electric heated steering wheel and windshield. The central display itself demonstrates excellent image quality and has a main menu of four parts-windows, and each of these windows can be customized to your liking. Inside the menu, there are both familiar items (audio, phone connection, car settings) and quite specific sections: display of car rolls on off-road and activation of the all-wheel drive system, images from cameras in front/rear and on the right/left of the car, tips for economical driving, etc.
I would like to mention the 7-inch instrument panel display separately – this is the first time that the Renault Duster crossover has received a digital instrument panel. The picture on the screen is quite high-quality, but there are only three main options for displaying information, and they are all similar to each other. If you add a side window, then there are already four display options; at the same time, this side window provides a lot of interesting information: the operation of the hybrid system, an eco-driving monitor, the roll and pitch of the car, fuel consumption, etc. It is a pity that so much attention was not paid to the design of the tachometer. Instead, it is just a long horizontal line with minimal lines, even without numbers, which are supposed to symbolize the thousand revolutions. The numbers appear only in the 7-8 thousand revolutions zone (why? if the engine speed never reaches there), plus a marked green zone in the range of about 1.5-2.5-2.7 thousand revolutions. The interim summary of this dashboard: it seems that the car designers have received a new beautiful tool, but they have not yet fully understood the possibilities of its use. More options for displaying information are needed, several graphic options can be made (remember Peugeot digital dashboards with their futuristic design), and more attention to detail is needed (like adding numbers to the tachometer bar).
And literally in one paragraph you can mention the rear seats and the trunk. The space behind is more or less sufficient, at the level of expectations from a car of this size - no more, but no less. There are no ventilation deflectors, there is a shelf and USB ports - everything is at the class level. It's a pity, but again small savings are noticeable: for example, uncovered metal and a screw on the window frame. There are no such comments in the trunk. After all, there is a lot of soft fabric covering there (things will not knock), hooks for bags are provided, and there is a full-fledged spare wheel.
Fresh and original interior design; at the same time, they didn't forget about practicality - great! The central 10-inch display is definitely good, but the digital 7-inch instrument panel needs a little refinement. The seat upholstery material resembles some kind of synthetic eco-leather: it is quite smooth and, probably, is not afraid of spilled water; but such material freezes quite quickly in winter - so heated seats are definitely needed. Also, seat belt height adjustment for the driver and front passenger is definitely required - and there is none; again, saving on trifles? According to the company description, +30 mm of space is promised for rear passengers compared to its predecessor. Translating into common language - there is enough space behind, albeit without excess. Surprisingly, the trunk is completely trimmed with soft material, and a niche-organizer is arranged around the spare wheel. The standard trunk volume with a 5-seater interior ranges from 411 liters to 542 liters: the volume depends on the specific version of the car, the layout of the rear of the body and the location of the spare wheel.
Technology: CMF-B platform, 1.2 mild hybrid advanced engine, YouClip mount
The new generation of Renault Duster is built on a completely new CMF - B platform (instead of the B0 platform for its predecessors), which is currently used for many of the company's modern compact cars. At first glance, there are no fundamental changes: a load-bearing body, transverse engine installation, front or all-wheel drive, front independent MacPherson suspension, rear suspension - semi-independent on the basis of a transverse beam (for front-wheel drive versions) or independent multi-link (for all-wheel drive versions). So what does the new platform bring? Potentially - it can bring the integration of a very wide package of driver assistance systems: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, vehicle leveling, etc. But the new Renault Duster did not receive anything like that. At the same time, control of the "blind spots" of mirrors or four perimeter cameras - this was also the case before.
What the new platform has brought is the possibility of installing new engines. Depending on the sales market, the new generation Duster (now we are talking about Renault Duster or Dacia Duster) can be equipped with a liter turbo engine with the ability to run on gasoline or gas, a hybrid based on a 1.6-liter atmospheric gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor, as well as a “mild hybrid” based on a 1.2-liter turbo engine. From this range, only the last option has reached us - and it is it that is installed under the hood of the test car. So: we have an in-line 3-cylinder 1.2-liter gasoline turbo engine ( HR 12 series), it is made mainly of aluminum alloys and has a timing chain drive, and can also operate on the Miller economic cycle. All this is complemented by the 48-volt mild hybrid advanced system : this system stores energy during braking, reduces the load on the engine during acceleration (a reduction in CO2 emissions of -10% with a proportional reduction in fuel consumption is claimed), it is also responsible for the start-stop function; but this hybrid does not allow for electric driving. Note that the version with the 1.2 mild hybrid advanced engine is only offered in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Other Renault Duster variants offered in Ukraine are radically different – both in terms of engine and transmission. Firstly, we have a Renault Duster available with the well-known 1.5-liter turbodiesel (K 9 K series), which works in tandem with a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive – it’s a pity, but there are no all-wheel drive variants. But thank goodness, at least there is a turbodiesel variant at all. Secondly, we have a Renault Duster available with a 1.33-liter TCe petrol engine (HR 13 series), which works in tandem with an automatic 7-speed gearbox in the form of a preselective “robot” EDC ; this variant is also offered exclusively with front-wheel drive. You might say that the combinations of engines and transmissions are somewhat strange? One is tied to the other and nothing can be changed? Oh wait, we haven’t even reached the list of trim levels yet…
Although I will talk about the equipment later, for now let's focus on another interesting feature of the Renault Duster - these are the YouClip mounts and accessories. And here, similarly to the exterior and interior, the car evokes only positive impressions. What are YouClip mounts? These are small fasteners in the form of a nail head; and such fasteners are located in the front and rear of the interior, as well as in the trunk. And what are YouClip accessories? This is a rechargeable flashlight, a cup holder-trash can, a mount for a phone or tablet, a folding hook, etc. That is, you can install additional lighting in the trunk or move it to the front passenger's feet. Place an additional hook where necessary. Or equip yourself with a mount for your phone, and this mount also provides wireless charging. Finally, you can even combine several YouClip accessories into one element to improve the practicality of the interior. Wonderful: this YouClip story is an example of ingenious simplicity!
The car is built on the new CMF - B platform, it is offered with three engines, a manual or automatic transmission, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; a digital instrument panel and the latest 10-inch display have appeared for the first time; YouClip mounts have appeared for the first time. And for the first time there is a hybrid, albeit a fairly simple one. The test car was presented in just this version: a 1.2 mild hybrid advanced petrol engine, developing 130 hp (4500 rpm) of power and 230 Nm (2250 rpm) of torque. In combination with a 6-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, all this promises us acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 11 seconds, a top speed of 180 km/h, fuel consumption in the city at 7.1 liters and fuel consumption in the extra-urban cycle at 4.9 liters per 100 km. So…
Behind the wheel: good suspension, interesting hybrid
Frankly speaking, I didn't really get along with the CMF - B platform as performed by Renault: cars on this platform seem a bit stiff to me, they shake on bumps, and at the same time they don't give any particular pleasure from driving. And now multiply all this by the comfort and energy consumption of the Renault Duster suspension in the past. Do you understand with what caution I approached the car? So as not to spoil it, so as not to spoil it...
Not spoiled! Excellent suspension, which still allows you to rush along broken roads. Easily digests medium-sized pits and asphalt influxes, almost completely hides small irregularities, while protecting the body and passengers from excessive vibrations or shocks. Only occasionally, when driving over transverse irregularities at a fairly high speed and with both wheels at once, the rear suspension can jump unpleasantly. But as soon as the pits are scattered in a checkerboard pattern, as soon as you find a suitable pace of movement - the new Renault Duster will immediately reward you with good comfort and a feeling of almost complete indifference to bad roads.
This “drive without stopping” style is also relevant for off-roading. If you can drive through some mud or sand, then it’s better to do so: the suspension and ground clearance allow it. But when the engine is working at low revs, it’s not: there’s not enough torque, there’s no ultra-low 1-2 gears, you have to constantly accelerate and operate the clutch pedal. It’s a shame that it turns out like this. After all, the previous Renault Duster offered not only all-wheel drive for off-roading, but also a diesel engine – and there the engine itself already developed a lot of torque at quite low revs. Or the previous Renault Duster offered a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a rather “understated” gearbox and main pair – thus, even despite the usual engine torque indicators, a lot of torque still came to the wheels and you could slowly pull yourself along at a stretch.
But the hybrid flourishes in normal driving conditions. Starting from the middle of the green zone of the non-digitized tachometer (this is somewhere around two thousand revolutions), the unexpectedly good thrust of the engine also begins. I forget about its 3-cylinder essence, although I still hear it well; instead, I enjoy the torque at the level of a good 2-liter atmospheric engine - and this continues until about 3.5-4 thousand. The gear ratios of the manual transmission are well selected to support this particular style of driving, the gears seem to cling to each other. True, I would like more clarity in the manual transmission lever movements; but here I will say a special “thank you” for the light clutch pedal. It may be strange, but if you add an energy-intensive suspension, the Renault Duster crossover is perceived as quite fast and dynamic on bad roads - it simply allows you not to slow down on potholes, while it can accelerate quite briskly. Although all this is only at the level of sensations, because my real measurement gives the dynamics of 0-100 km/h in about 12 seconds - but here you need to take into account the driver's skills and winter tires. And of course, this is not a sports car: this is quickly reminded by the light steering wheel and average sharpness (2.7 turns from lock to lock), as well as noticeable body rolls in corners.
First and foremost: the excellent suspension is also ready for bad roads! Second and unexpected: the hybrid turns out to be quite lively for the engine capacity, it gives good traction in the mid-range of revolutions; and also demonstrates good engine braking efficiency when changing gears. This was an unexpected bonus, because usually small-volume engines cannot boast of this; the hybrid's recuperation system probably helps. But if you drive like this all the time, then on average fuel consumption in the city is 8-8.5 liters per 100 km - that is, about a liter more than the declared one. If you add traffic jams, then my maximums in the city and in general sometimes reached 9.5-10 liters. And where is the economy? It seems that I drove as smoothly as possible, I switch gears very early (according to the prompts of the indicator on the dashboard) - I got 6.1-6.2 liters in the city; but without any pleasure from driving and without the feeling of the power and traction that this hybrid can give. And in general: if you need economy - then there is a diesel. Which will probably be even more economical on the highway. After all, according to my observations, on the highway while driving at a speed of 100 km/h, the hybrid Renault Duster consumes 5.8-5.9 liters - that is, again about a liter more than the declared one. Off-road, there is a feeling that the new Renault Duster has lost something: it is difficult to move in a stretch, I would like to see more wheel travel when hanging out, the all-wheel drive system in most cases and settings modes first gives preference to the front wheels and only then connects the rear ones (with a 50/50 torque split). But on the other hand - the new Renault Duster still offers much more than the bulk of crossovers in this class: the very fact of having all-wheel drive, good ground clearance and short overhangs, energy-intensive suspension. It's still a capable traveler for the forest, mud, snow, and any other off-road adventure!
Price: how much does Renault Duster and its competitor cost?
The Renault Duster crossover is offered in Ukraine with three engines (two gasoline and one diesel), manual or automatic transmission, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, in three trim levels – it seems like a very wide choice. But…
The range opens with the Renault Duster Authentic, which offers: front and side airbags, inflatable side curtain airbags, ESP and ABD systems , a light sensor, LED dipped headlights, cruise control and speed limiter, air conditioning, rear parking sensors, front and rear electric windows, a radio with a docking station and a radio display on the instrument panel, four audio speakers, 16-inch steel wheels, etc. This car is available only with a turbodiesel, a manual gearbox, and front-wheel drive. The cost of the Renault Duster 1.5 dci 115 MKP6 Authentic starts at UAH 930,000 or $22.4 thousand; under the Renault Bonus program, the price is reduced by UAH 100,000.
The Renault Duster Evolution is located one level above, where the following is added: a light and rain sensor, a 7-inch digital instrument panel, a rearview camera, an OpenR multimedia system with a 10.1-inch touch screen and smartphone replication function, matte gray mirror trim, and 17-inch alloy wheels. All engine, gearbox, and drive type options are available for the Evolution trim; although they do not overlap in any random order. The cost of the Renault Duster 1.5 dci 115 MKP6 Evolution car is from UAH 980,000 or $23,600; the cost of the Renault Duster 1.3 TCE 150 AKP7 EDC Evolution is from UAH 1.003 million or $24,000; The cost of the Renault Duster 1.2 mild hybrid advanced 130 MKP6 4x4 Evolution is from UAH 1.07 million or $25.8 thousand; under the Renault Bonus program, the price is reduced by UAH 100 thousand.
The maximum option is the Renault Duster Techno, which is distinguished by the following: fog lights, hands-free key card, climate control, wireless charging, roof rails, two-tone alloy 17-inch wheels, etc. In this configuration, the car is again offered with only one engine (but now it is a gasoline hybrid), as well as with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive. The cost of the Renault Duster 1.2 mild hybrid advanced 130 MKP6 4x4 Techno car is from UAH 1.11 million or $26.7 thousand; under the Renault Bonus program, the price is reduced by UAH 100 thousand.
By the way, a few interesting observations about the new Renault Duster . The first interesting observation: by looking at the gear lever and the area around it, you can immediately determine the type of engine under the hood. If you see a manual transmission lever and nothing else - under the hood there is a diesel; a manual transmission lever and a drive mode switch - under the hood there is a gasoline hybrid; an automatic transmission lever - under the hood there is the most powerful gasoline turbo engine. That's how strange it is, but in other combinations the engines and transmissions do not overlap. The second interesting observation: all three engine and transmission options are simultaneously present only in the Evolution configuration . That is, the buyer cannot choose the most powerful engine and automatic transmission and add the maximum configuration to this - again it looks strange. And there is also no option for the most affordable configuration in combination with all-wheel drive, which could interest farmers - also strange.
Finally, note that the most affordable version of the car is the diesel. By the way, if you compare the cost of the new Renault Duster and its predecessor (they are just now selling off the stock of the Renault Duster of the previous generation), the difference in price for the base car with a turbodiesel is noticeable, but not outrageous: we have 24-64 thousand UAH depending on the terms of purchase. But in the previous generation of Renault Duster, the cheapest is the 1.6-liter gasoline version - and in this case the difference is already 118-158 thousand UAH.
I'll add another example to the story: here is a Renault Duster with a turbodiesel and manual transmission, in the middle Evolution configuration. Externally, the difference is in the wheel rims, as well as the lower front bumper trim (under the radiator grille), such a car gets a rear suspension based on a transverse beam and an exhaust system with a side pipe outlet. In the cabin, the trim of the seats and the front panel is somewhat simpler, but a 7-inch display for the driver and a central 10-inch display are still installed; on the lower part of the latter there are only schematic indications of the air conditioner operation instead of the climate control indication. But what will competitors offer? And how much will they cost?
The first competitors for the Renault Duster are two Suzuki cars : the already old, but still youthful crossover Suzuki Vitara, as well as the more practical and restrained crossover Suzuki S - Cross. These cars can offer a combination of automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the prices are about the same, plus in the Suzuki Vitara model you can find a hybrid and more modern driver assistance systems. But they cannot offer a diesel engine.
Another competitor is the Skoda Kamiq: front-wheel drive only and low-power engines, nice interior trim and a feeling of overall lightness and ease of handling. Finally, if you are looking for something more emotionally vivid (oh, what a question can now be posed around the Renault Duster !), then there are the Jeep Avenger and Nissan Juke. Both offer small petrol 3-cylinder engines and only front-wheel drive; although an all-wheel drive version is promised for the Jeep Avenger in the future. However, both cars are smaller in size, comparable or more expensive in price, devoid of a turbodiesel, and also offer stiffer suspensions with an emphasis more on good roads than on off-road.