Double Apex was invited to try out the all-new Renault Duster at its South African media ride-and-drive event in the Western Cape.
About two years ago the Renault Group unveiled the third generation Duster. We thought that the model would make its way to SA some time in 2024. But the all-new Renault Duster it is finally on sale locally about two years after its world launch. In fact, this is the first all-new model introduced by Renault SA in about two years. The brand has had a quiet spell, something it wishes to change over the course of this and next year.
Follow Double Apex on Instagram and Facebook where we share more car content.
New Appearance
The all-new Renault Duster is based on an existing platform from within the group, but the car itself is all-new ie this isn’t a revised or facelifted model. As such this, third-generation version has an all-new appearance. We have to admit that we are fans of the bold. chunky new looks. Renault’s designers have done a great job of carrying over some of the traits of the predecessors, yet making it look new an modern.
Part of this is achieved through the snazzy new LED headlamps. Chunky, squared-off lines also help. There are also come interesting surface details, such as on the bonnet and boot that remind us if a Jerry can. This creates a utilitarian persona, which should suit a wide customer base. The body is also set quite high off the ground, offering a maximum of 217 mm of ground clearance – pretty handy. Alloys wheels, on high profile tyres, are standard fitment.
Fresh Interior
The cabin has undergone a complete redesign as well. The same, chunky theme seen outside has been carried into the cabin. The door handles are hefty, there are hard surfaces on the facia and the seats are cloth covered, as opposed to leather. Renault has also used a funky material for the roof lining. Boot volume is quoted as well over 400 litres, impressive for a car of this segment. And local representatives are quick to point out that local versions come with a full-size spare wheel.
This latest Duster has been brought into the new era with two digital screens. One sits ahead of the driver, acting as an instrument cluster, while the second sits proud of the facia and serves the role of the infotainment interface. The system has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a pair of USB-C ports along with a wireless charger for your mobile phone.
Two Engines, Three Derivatives
Renault has foregone diesel power for the latest Duster. It is an odd decision, as far as we are concerned. The turbodiesel derivative of the previous editions gave the Duster a real USP. And a proper edge when it came to its off-roading prowess. Anyway, the latest version comes with one of two turbopetrol engines. The larger is a 1,3-litre unit that produces 113 kW and 250 N.m. This motor is mated exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission (EDC in Renault speak). This engine is fitted to 4×2 variants, and is available in Zen and Intens trim levels.
Oddly, the smaller engine is fitted exclusively in the 4×4 version. The 1,2-litre turbopetrol features a mild hybrid system and is mate with a six-speed manual gearbox. The engine develops 96 kW and 230 N.m. It is this latter version that we experience on the national ride and drive event held between the winelands and west coast area outside of Cape Town earlier this week.
On the Road
We drove the new Duster on a wide variety of roads and conditions over two days. The manual transmission of the 4×4 variant has a really short first gear and therefore takes a little getting used to. The powertrain, on the whole, is pretty well refined and can maintain decent speeds. However, top gear is really long so one really has to shift down to make fast overtakes. The engine is seldom heard, although we did pick up some wind noise around the A-pillars that were noticeable in an otherwise quiet cabin.
Special mention to the Duster’s ride quality, which is well damped and resolved. This even holds true for when we ventured off sealed blacktop. We hardly had to slow down over some of the gravel tracks we traversed in the Malmesbury area. In fact, we’d go as far as saying that the Duster has a much better ride quality in this scenario than many other larger (read: more expensive) ‘SUVs’.
Renault also arranged a trip to the Altantis Dunes for brief stint of off-roading. The small, turbopetrol was really under strain here (where a turbodiesel would be ideal). We managed to get through all ‘obstacles’ without much issue. However, some, less experienced drivers fell foul of of the conditions underfoot. Their predicament not an ideal indication of the Duster’s abilities as powdery sand on a hot day can be tricky for any vehicle let alone one designed as a city-slicker SUV with part-time off-roading credentials.
Summary
South Africans took to the previous generations of the Duster, just over 26 000 of them were sold locally since the first-gen made its debut here in 2013. It was a no-frills machine that had a high-degree of off-roading ability at a really competitive price point. However, the market has undergone a seismic shift between the third-gen being launched overseas and appearing here.
In that time we have seen a flurry of new models, almost all of them from China, added to the SA SUV market. This places the Duster (and Renault) in an unenviable position of having dozens more rivals, when just a few years ago there were a few. The latest version debuts at a much dearer price than its predecessor, which places it in a sea of tough competition. It’s a still a good product, but there is so much for potential buyers to chose from these days…
All-New Renault Duster Pricing
4×2 EDC Zen – R489 999
4×2 EDC Intens – R519 999
4×4 – R549 999