So the Duster has lastly arrived in Australia, solely it wears a Renault badge fairly than the Dacia one seen in Europe.
The rugged new small SUV is obtainable in Australia with a 1.3-litre petrol engine mixed with front-wheel drive and an automated transmission, or a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine matched with all-wheel drive (AWD). However to many individuals’s chagrin, the latter solely comes with a guide gearbox.
Abroad, nevertheless, there a brand new AWD powertrain that ditches the necessity for a drive shaft between the entrance and rear axles, and likewise incorporates a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre petrol engine. It combines an automated transmission with AWD for the primary time in a Duster and it may very well be bought in Australia, though it’s but to be confirmed for this market.
We just lately bought behind the wheel of a Dacia-badged Duster in Morocco to see what the Romanian auto model’s new mild-hybrid AWD powertrain is like and the way it differs from the prevailing providing.
How a lot does the Renault Duster value?
The Duster has an preliminary worth of $31,990 earlier than on-road prices in 1.3-litre 4×2 guise, with the 1.2-litre 4×4 priced from $36,490 plus on-roads.
Whereas this transmission is probably going to get replaced by the newer hybrid setup, native availability and due to this fact pricing has not been confirmed as but. Nonetheless, it could get a small worth hike as a result of technical adjustments, and the fitment of an automated transmission.
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
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What’s the Renault Duster like on the within?
Throughout the cabin, there’s no notable distinction between Europea’s Dacia-branded Duster and the Renault-badged one we get in Australia, apart from the steering wheel badging.
In line with the rugged exterior, the cabin is a medley of arduous plastics that sound scratchy however are made to look extra interesting via color injection and texturing.
Despite the fact that this automotive is positioned on the cheaper finish of the market, as evidenced by among the supplies all through the cabin, there’s some effort to make up for it with know-how.
A 7.0-inch digital instrument show occupies the centre of the dashboard binnacle (however doesn’t fill your complete factor) and supplies a small diploma of configurability. It’s a easy format total, offering the driving force with sufficient data with out overloading them.
It’s an analogous story with the ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The show is barely angled in direction of the driving force and has just a few buttons on the prime which can be virtually hidden, permitting you to both flip the display off or swap to a extra minimal show. The native system isn’t arduous to search out your manner round in, whereas each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found wirelessly and work easily.
Till now, the 4×4 Duster got here solely with a guide gearbox; now this model will solely use an automated transmission. Which means a smaller, stubby drive selector on the centre console, which takes up much less area than the guide shifter. There’s additionally a rotary selector that switches between Eco and Auto modes, and the off-road settings of Snow, Sand and Mud, and Lock.
There are nonetheless a pair of cupholders between the entrance seats, USB-C ports and a wi-fi cellphone charger (relying on specification). The door bins are massive sufficient for small drink bottles, and whereas the glovebox seems to be of common measurement from the skin, it seems to be smaller inside as a result of fuse field positioning in right-hand-drive fashions. Underneath the centre armrest is one other storage bin, once more not particularly massive.
The motive force and entrance passenger seats are manually adjustable, and the steering wheel may be adjusted for attain and rake.
The seats are moderately snug, although the upholstery in higher-grade variations has a form of plastic coating not not like a wetsuit and, in heat climate, isn’t notably breathable.
There’s dual-zone local weather management, and we’re happy to say there are bodily buttons for adjusting its settings. There’s the choice of heated seats and a heated steering wheel, and these capabilities are chosen through the touchscreen.
You’ll additionally discover some small sq. tabs littering the cabin, that are mounting factors for Dacia’s proprietary accent system referred to as ‘YouClip’. This vary of equipment contains cupholders, torches and even a cellphone holder.
It’s a little bit of a squeeze for taller passengers within the rear, and the center seat has restricted legroom as a result of place of the again of the centre console. That options two air vents, two USB-C ports, and one other YouClip attachment level.
Boot area isn’t too unhealthy, given the automotive’s measurement and market place, with 400 litres out there. There’s area for a spare wheel below the boot ground, although not within the bi-fuel model bought in Europe, the place this space is occupied by the 50L LPG tank.
| Dimensions | Renault Duster |
|---|---|
| Size | 4343mm |
| Width | 2069mm (mirrors prolonged) |
| Peak | 1659mm (together with roof bars) |
| Wheelbase | 2657mm |
| Cargo capability | 400L (behind rear seats) 1527L (behind entrance seats) |
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
What’s below the bonnet?
The Duster features a brand new electrified powertrain that contains a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine operating the Miller cycle for better effectivity, and outfitted with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.
| Specs | Renault Duster Hybrid G-150 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2L 3cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV |
| Engine outputs | 103kW 230Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 23kW 87Nm |
| System outputs | 113kW |
| Battery | 0.84kWh lithium-ion |
| Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch automated – entrance 2-speed automated – rear |
| Drive sort | 4-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1505kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 10.1 seconds |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 5.9-6.0L/100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) | 4.8L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 50L |
| CO2 emissions | 134-135g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 6e-bis |
It’s a easy sufficient engine producing as much as 103kW of energy and utilizing a belt-starter generator for smoother cease/begin performance, and to assist harvest power again into the 0.84kWh lithium-ion battery.
The model we drove was the bi-fuel mannequin, which is unlikely to be bought in Australia. Drivers can swap between petrol and LPG tanks by merely urgent the LPG button on the dashboard – and this may be finished whereas driving. This combustion engine solely sends drive to the entrance wheels and does so through a six-speed dual-clutch automated.
Separate from that could be a 48-volt electrical motor positioned on the rear axle. Outputs of as much as 23kW and 87Nm are sufficient to propel the Duster alongside electrically, and it does this through its personal two-speed gearbox that features a clutch to totally interact or disengage the rear axle as required.
This electrical motor may get better power for the battery throughout braking and deceleration.
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
How does the Renault Duster drive?
It won’t be a full hybrid within the sense of what firms reminiscent of Toyota supply however, as mild-hybrids go, the Duster does a reasonably first rate job of utilising the electrical portion of its drivetrain each time doable, particularly in city settings.
Leaving it in its Auto mode lets the Duster use essentially the most environment friendly motor in any explicit state of affairs, so should you give the precise pedal a prod, say, to do a fast overtake, the petrol engine fires up and delivers extra energy.
The suspension setup is nice and feels well-judged for on a regular basis life. It stays composed because the pace will increase, whereas the six-speed auto shifts between gears as easily as you may count on from a DCT setup. Solely whenever you demand the whole lot from the petrol engine does it start to sound strained and, being a three-cylinder, there’s already an inherent thrum to its timbre.
For essentially the most half, in stop-start and even free-flowing site visitors, there’s a little bit of motor tennis happening between the axles, but it surely doesn’t unsettle the automotive.
The steering is mild, however there’s nonetheless sufficient weight to it, and the front-end feels planted. We did experiment with the bi-fuel system, switching between tanks, however the actuality is that other than a distinct gasoline gauge showing, there’s little to inform which gasoline supply is in use.
Taking the Duster off the tarmac and onto some trails supplied a chance to see the way it fares off-road, and the outcomes have been first rate. It’s value noting the Duster continues to be predominantly arrange for highway use, however the Excessive specification we drove included a pared-back entrance bumper, rising the strategy angle to 31 levels. The 217mm of floor clearance is simply as useful, and it additionally will get a 24-degree breakover angle and 36-degree departure angle.
Switching to any of the three devoted off-road modes prompts each engines concurrently because the system is designed to prioritise traction over lowering emissions. Even with all-season tyres on the arid Moroccan terrain, the Duster had no problem overlaying tough floor, and extra demanding ascents have been made simpler by the additional and instantaneous torque from the rear axle.
Steeper descents introduced a chance to make use of the Hill Descent Management (HDC), which is activated by urgent the spherical button within the centre of the mode selector. As soon as lively, it may be set in the identical manner as cruise management and maintains the preset pace from 3km/h as much as 30km/h.
| Off-road dimensions | Renault Duster Hybrid 4×4 Excessive |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1580mm – entrance 1560mm – rear |
| Floor clearance | 217mm |
| Method angle | 31 levels |
| Departure angle | 36 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 24 levels |
| Wading depth | 450mm |
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
What do you get?
2026 Renault Duster gear highlights:
- Keyless entry and begin
- 17-inch diamond-cut ‘Journey’ alloy wheels
- Continental Cross Contact 215/65 R17 tyres
- Full-size spare tyre (215/70 R16)
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Computerized LED headlights with halogen high-beam
- Rear fog mild
- Gray door mirrors
- Fastened roof rails
- Electrical parking brake
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- 2 x entrance USB-C shops
- 2 x rear USB-C shops
- 1 x entrance 12V outlet
- 1 x boot 12V outlet
- 6-speaker Arkamys sound system
- Twin-zone local weather management with rear air vents
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Peak and attain adjustable steering wheel
- Energy home windows with one-touch auto up/down
- YouClip accent factors: 1 x rear centre console, 2 x boot, 1 x inside tailgate
- Distant central locking
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
Is the Renault Duster secure?
We’re nonetheless ready for the Renault Duster to be rated by ANCAP, however Euro NCAP has already assessed it because the Dacia Duster. There, it scored a three-star security ranking, with marks principally being misplaced for not having the extra superior security help programs included within the worth.
Normal security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Cruise management
- Hill descent management
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Two ISOFIX mounting factors within the rear
- Visitors signal recognition
- Entrance and front-side airbags
- Curtain airbags for each rows
- Reversing digicam
There’s a comparatively good stage of ordinary and security gear within the Duster, particularly given its pricing. However there are some facets that may very well be higher, such because the 360-degree digicam system, which options image decision that’s extra like what you’d count on from the primary smartphones manner again when.
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
How a lot does the Renault Duster value to run?
There’s relative peace of thoughts with the Renault because it’s backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Servicing intervals are 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first, although intervals for the hybrid system might fluctuate.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Renault Duster Hybrid 4×4 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – automobile 8 years or 160,000km – battery |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 30,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
To see how the Renault Duster stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Renault Duster Hybrid 4×4
The Duster is a refreshingly easy but succesful compact SUV, and this new AWD automated powertrain backs up its off-road potential.
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It isn’t a super-frugal hybrid in comparison with some others, but it surely does put in effort, and most of the people will possible be glad with its effectivity, operating prices, and functionality.
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