Beautifully rugged
Introduction: The Renault Group relies on the complementarity of its four brands – Renault – Dacia – Alpine and Mobilize – and offers sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers. Established in more than 130 countries, the Group sold more than 2.264 million vehicles in 2024. It brings together 105,000 employees who embody its Purpose daily, so that mobility brings us closer to each other. So, where does the new Renault Duster fit into the South African sales projections, of this massive global company. There were about one hundred ordered or registered in March and then another one hundred or so sold in April. If this average continues, then the Duster will increase its sales by 50% from its previous 689 units sold in 2023, when it was a diesel. Personally, I would love to see this number increase even more, because I think that South African's are going to love this new model. What is great to know, is that there are about 80 Renault dealerships in South Africa, of which twenty-five are owned by Motus, which is also the exclusive South African importer and distributor of Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi vehicles and parts in the country. I am sure that we all agree that a car needs a decent footprint for servicing and warranty claims to be addressed.
Engine/ Economy/ Drive/ Comfort: I was super impressed with this turbo charged petrol engine, delivering 113 kW @ 5 600rpm, with a maximum torque of 250 Nm @1700rpm. The 7-Speed EDC 7-Speed EDC (automatic) transmission was simply fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed driving this rugged and good-looking compact SUV around town and on the open roads. It bolts out the blocks and maintained its speed up hills with ease – all that was missing from my side, was an exotic 10-day road trip somewhere in beautiful South Africa. The claimed combined economy is 6.5 Liters per one hundred kilometres, but I got eight. These vehicles are built for toughness and adventure, prioritizing the ability to endure punishment and provide reliability in challenging environments, and despite previous claims that comfort levels were compromised, Renault has done a superb job in improving comfort to an impressive level.
Features: This Duster comes standard with some awesome features but for some reason the 4x2 Intense version is not found in the 4x4 version, which only has the Zen version, along with the four-by-four not offering an automatic gearbox option like the four-by-two. I hope that Renault gives this some more thought and offers the choice to its loyal Dusty followers and the outdoor four-by-four enthusiast. Features include, but are not limited to: Full spare tyre, Synthetic leather / suede & cloth, 360 degree sensors (front, rear & side), multi view camera (360 view), unique e-shifter gear lever (EDC), paddle shift levers (steering wheel), wireless charger, blind spot detection, keyless entry, auto fold outside rearview mirrors (ORVM), dual stage luggage - (boot), 18’’ alloy wheels (diamond cut, dual-tone), fog lights, modular roof bars (70 kgs), 2 x type C usb ports in front above the wireless charging station, auto headlights, rain sensor, ESC, ASB, tyre pressure monitor and a new U clip system to hold things like your cell phone. There are many points around the car to use this clip. There are more features of course!
Interior/ Exterior/ Boot: The spacious and relatively quiet cabin offers an ergonomic and functional plastic dashboard which house a 26-centimetre infotainment screen and 18-centimetre instrument cluster. The legroom in the rear is excellent and I was suitably impressed with the room in the front. The exterior looks are what will get customers to test drive the car. The bold RENAULT letters on the front grille are impressive and set the tone for the rest of the Duster, which thankfully does not disappoint. The LED Y-shaped headlights, and distinct C-shaped daytime running lights look great and the durable components like body cladding made from Starkle (recycled materials) and skid plates for off-road capability, enhance and completes what you would expect from this spirited adventurer. Ground clearance is 210 millimetres giving you more clearance than many 4x4’s and your boot space allows for a set of golf clubs and more, with a particularly good 472 Liters.
Price/ Warranty/ Service Plan: R519 900, 5‑year/150 000 km warranty and three‑year/45 000 km service plan, with 15 000 km intervals. The 24-hour Roadside Assistance Plan covers all new Renault vehicles for a period of 5 years or 150 000km with an option for extension.
In Summary: Would I buy one? If I was looking for a brand new compact and capable 4x2 off roader for R520k, then the Duster would be parked in my garage. It is a great vehicle with heaps of curb appeal, which turned many a head, when I parked either at the mall, my daughter’s school or at one of KZN’s stunning South coast golf courses. The Duster should sell well in South Africa, well, at least I really hope so!
*This article is written in my opinion only. For detailed information on the specs, please contact Renault SA*