Renault Duster Review: Discover The True SUV Pumping Power From 1.3L And 1.5L Petrol Mills

All you must know about the 1.3-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre petrol avatars of Renault Duster is here. Read on the Duster SUV review!

Overview

The French car manufacturer Renault launched the BS6 (Bharat Stage VI) avatar of its true blue SUV – the Duster – in India this year. Dubbed as the 2020 upgrade, the emission norm obeying Renault Duster features minimal changes in the exterior and interior cordon. However, important mechanical changes sit inside the bonnet. Although the Duster BS6 was introduced in March 2020, the turbo engine loaded petrol variant saw the sun in August this year.

The new Renault SUV is offered in three trims – RXE, RXS, and RXZ – with sole petrol fuel offering. The long-running 1.5L diesel engine could not make it to the BS6 pool and faces discontinuation. While the 1.5L petrol motor now gets the company of recently included 1.3L turbo petrol engine to the line-up.

The welcome addition makes the Renault Duster as one of the most powerful SUVs in its segment. This is the same 1.3L petrol engine that was displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo in Noida this year. So let’s go through the changes and additions it has received in its latest iteration.

Price

The price of the new 2020 Duster SUV opens at Rs 8.49 Lakh and goes up to Rs 13.59 Lakh. The 1.5L petrol range starts with Duster base variant RXE priced at Rs 8.49 Lakh. While the mid-variant RXS and RXZ are tagged at Rs 9.29 and Rs 9.99 Lakh respectively.

Further, the price of 1.3L turbo variants – offered in 5 assortments (3 MT, 2 CVT) – begin at Rs 10.49 Lakh for the base RXE MT trim and go up to 11.39 Lakh and 11.99 Lakh for the RXS MT and RXZ MT trims correspondingly. Moreover, the RXS CVT is priced at Rs 12.99 and RXZ CVT comes at Rs 13.59 Lakh.

(All the prices mentioned are of ex-showroom, New Delhi.)

Renault Duster 1.5-litre Petrol ex-showroom, New Delhi prices:

Renault Duster 1.3-litre Turbo Petrol ex-showroom, New Delhi prices:

Engine & Specs

Initially introduced with a pair of 1.5L engines – petrol and diesel – the Duster range in the BS6 era has now axed its diesel engine to make way for the punchy 1.3L turbo petrol. Now the all-petrol line-up features 1.5L and 1.3L engines. The 1.5L, 1498cc engine gives out the maximum power output of 106PS at 5600rpm and 142Nm of maximum torque at 4000rpm. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox it comes with MPFi fuel system. There is no CVT on offer this time with the 1.5L petrol variant.

The Renault Duster turbo petrol 1.3L engine with its 1330cc motor churns out a good 156PS of maximum power at 5500rpm alongside a peak torque of 254Nm at 1600rpm. On the transmission front, it gets the choice of 6-speed manual gearbox (RXE) and CVT with 7-speed manual transmission (RXS and RXZ).

Renault Duster 1.5-litre Petrol Engine & Specifications:

Renault Duster 1.3-litre Turbo Petrol Engine & Specifications:

Mileage

In the mid-size SUV segment Duster has been one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs and, it still remains, with its high flying ARAI certified efficiency numbers. The 1.5L engine delivers a fuel mileage of 17 kmpl under standard conditions. While even with the 1.3L turbo petrol it attains similar mileage figure that is 17 kmpl.

Dimensions

Both the variant models of Duster share similar dimensions. The 2020 upgrade sees no change in terms of measurements on the exteriors and interiors. It stretches 4360mm in length, 1822mm in width and 1695mm in height. It shares a wheelbase of 2673mm and 205mm of high ground clearance, while its boot can absorb 475L of luggage.

Colours

The Duster is offered in as many six vibrant shades that comprise of Mahogany Brown, Caspian Blue, Cayenne Orange, Moonlight Silver, Slate Grey Outback Bronze and Pearl White.

Exterior

There are no notable changes in the outer part, so people have to wait for the 3rd generation Duster, which is expected to arrive in 2021. Anyways, talking about the present Renault SUV it gets attractive tri-wing chrome grille with fresh headlamp clusters that have projector lamps with LED DRLs. The front bumper gets some structural treatment and appears refreshing as well making the front fascia look dauntingly new.

To bestow more attitude and premium-ness its top-spec trim comes dressed in newly designed Everest diamond-cut alloy wheels. The side profile remains identical to the predecessor version. Moreover, the slight changes at the rear comprising of black plastic cladding near the taillights and some other nick tuck here and there.

Interior

Renault has tried to provide the interiors of Duster with a feeling of newness. Some of the subtle changes include new rectangular AC vents at the dash, which look contemporary compared to the classy looking circular ones in its earlier iteration. To add glamour quotient there are body-coloured inserts at the dashboard while seat upholstery gets blue contrast stitching to appeal one and all. The top-end trim gets chrome inserts on the gear knob, centre console and steering wheel.

Moreover, the leather-wrapped steering looks new and the 7-inch touch display infotainment is endowed with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The centre console remains unmoved however there is not arm-rest for the co-passenger at the front. Overall fit and finish levels along with the materials used in the interiors see improvement.

Features

There is a plethora of comfort and convenience features presented in the Duster 2020. And these include manual AC with heater, remote keyless entry, central locking, tilt-adjust power steering, all four power windows with illuminated switches, one-touch turn indicator, MI display, power adjust ORVMs, cooled storage, rear seat armrest with cup holders, height-adjustable driver seat with lumbar, illuminated glove box, cruise control, and many more.

Some of the infotainment features consist of 7-inch touchscreen MediaNAV Evolution, Bluetooth (audio and telephone control), USB/AUX-In, Android Auto & Apple Carplay, Voice Recognition (via Apple Car Play, Android Auto), 4 speakers and 2 tweeters, steering mounted audio and phone controls, etc.

Safety

The 2020 Renault Duster comes packed with class-leading safety and security features which include ABS with EBD, driver and passenger airbags, rapid deceleration warning, driver and passenger seat belt reminder, reverse parking sensors, speed-sensitive door locking, rear defogger, reverse parking camera with guidelines, rear wiper and washer and many more.

Competition

In its mid-size SUV segment, the Duster rivals the likes of Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra Bolero and other. While in the price bracket range its competitors from under 4-metre include Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, Mahindra TUV300 and others.

2020 Renault Duster: Our Take

So, let’s accept the fact the changes that the Duster has received are mild for the 2020 version. However, some sense of freshness is endowed by the sport looking and improved fascia. And not to ignore those new set of alloy wheels. Another eye-catching aspect that shouts ‘new’ loud is the cool shade of Caspian Blue. Further, the sporty contrast stitch for the seats also lends premium appeal to the butch stance SUV. With all the amends, newness and the regulation stuff, still, the SUV is one of the most affordable one in the segment.

So if you are seeking a no niggle, urbane looking rugged yet value for money SUV without those jazzy elements, 2020 Renault Duster should fit your bill. A true SUV in the price of subcompact SUVs.