None of Renault’s product could make any noticeable impact like Duster in Indian market. This well built, good looking, spacious, compact SUV comes with a price tag of C2 segment sedan ranging from Rs 7.19 lakh to Rs 11.29 lakh. It has got great amount of ground clearance compared to other compact SUV’s and MUV’s making it ideal for Indian road conditions.
Inside the cabin, it is spacious enough for an average Indian family. Cost cutting is visible on the dashboard, plastics are shiny and hard. The instrument cluster does not feel premium but decent enough considering the price tag. The controls are neatly arranged and well placed but the side mirror controls are placed under hand-brake handle making them hard to access while driving. The steering wheel mounted controls are actually a separate unit of controls placed under the steering wheel on the steering column.
There are enough head and leg room for both, front and rear row passengers. There are good amount of storage space and plenty of cup holders inside the cabin. The seats feel little hard but once you are set on them, you can be comfortable throughout your journey.
Basic features in Renault Duster include Air Conditioner, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Steering, Immobilizer and Folding Rear-Seat. Top end trim level gets few extra features like Anti-Lock Braking, System, Rear Wash Wiper, Air-Bags, Alloy Wheels, Front Fog Lights, Leather Seats and AM/FM/CD Audio System.
Renault Duster comes with three different engines, a 102.5bhp 1598cc 4 cylinder petrol, and 84bhp and 108.5bhp 4 cylinder diesel.
The 1.6 litre 104 PS Multi-point Fuel Injection petrol engine produces 104 PS at 5850 rpm while the 1.5 litre Common Rail Direct Injection (dCi) diesel engine produces 85 PS at 3750 rpm and the other version produces 110PS maximum at 3900 rpm. The 102.5bhp petrol and 84bhp diesel engine comes with a 5 speed manual transmission while 108.5bhp diesel engine is combined with a 6-speed manual transmission.
With no third row of seats, the Duster has plenty of space for cargo and can hold up-to 475-litre cargo. Folding down the single-piece rear bench increases the carrying capacity to 1,064 litres.
