Renault Duster Review

The Duster looks tough and rugged, and SUV buyers will like it for that. Unfortunately, the cabin is decidedly last-gen and just doesn’t have the sense of occasion seen in its newer rivals. Passenger space is good while the 475-litre (410-litre on the AWD) boot is well-shaped and accommodating.
The Duster’s 106hp, 1.6-litre petrol engine delivers humdrum performance but the CVT auto does add convenience to the package. The 85hp, 1.5-litre diesel is tractable and smooth in its build of power while the punchier 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel does tend to feel lazy at low speeds. Notably, shorter gearing does make the 1.5-litre AWD version feel more alert at all speeds. Gearshifts on the diesel AMT are largely timely but the system can get caught out under hard acceleration.
Confident as the Duster feels, it doesn’t have the lightest steering and there is also some kickback on bad patches of road. However, the suspension does a brilliant job of flattening poor surfaces, more so the AWD, which gets an independent rear suspension. The AWD is also surprisingly capable off the road.