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I have a soft spot for adventure-first vehicles, and I’m not referring to the Fortuner, Everest, or other large SUVs. Yes, these are all capable, but a car geared towards adventurous types isn’t merely about straight-up capability. It’s one that makes you want to disappear into the bush.
Suzuki has its cult-classic Jimny and Ineos has its overlanding beast called the Grenadier. Renault, though, has the Duster in its adventure line-up. While it has less 4x4 trail competency with a touch more on-road focus, it has, like the Jimny, built a reputation on character. Needless to say, when I found out the new one was heading my way, I got a little giddy.
Of course, the first and most noticeable change to the new Duster is its exterior identity. Gone are the days of rounded and rather generic looks, and instead Renault has created an exceptionally good-looking SUV. Sculpted but boxy, the front end has just enough detail to evoke a sense of driving a car from the 2030s. The rear is simpler compared to the front, but it captures Renault's minimalistic design language without overdoing it. Yet, what I liked most was the addition of the RENAULT name inscribed onto the bumpers as opposed to the generic logo.
The interior is where its adventurous character is further amplified. It’s a driver-focused interior with an intuitive infotainment system, which was one of the better systems I've come across. This is partly thanks to its natural colours, rapid response and easy navigation and pairing. The cabin features aesthetically focused lines and shapes that eliminate any sense of boring design. The cabin's interior is durable enough for daily family duties and some outdoor activities, and features a solid mix of recycled plastic and materials that are used throughout the cabin. The Duster's seats are incredibly supportive and comfortable, and the use of cloth speaks to its more rugged approach while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.
It retains its sense of light off-road readiness with its lifted demeanour, all-wheel drive, plenty of sidewall and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. However, it now boasts an expeditionary look, a characteristic that was previously exclusively found in the outgoing model's driving experience.
Up front, the new Duster mild-hybrid has some new equipment. Firstly, under the bonnet is a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with a similar 48V hybrid setup we have seen in Toyota's new cars. It produces 96kW and 230Nm with electric assist via the starter-generator. But in a car that weighs just under 1.5 tonnes, it’s a manageable amount of power even for trickier environments. The hybrid addition to the Duster, in my mind, comes as a compromise due to the lack of a diesel in the lineup, which is a shame, as the outgoing diesel model is powered by one of the most frugal and torquey engines I have driven to date. Does this new powertrain meet the economy quality of the diesel motor? To put it bluntly, no, but it's still a good powertrain.
Oddly enough, the hybrid is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission, which would normally be a perfect touch. But the synchronisation of this gearbox is a little tricky. The throttle takes a split second to react to your inputs, so when you lift off to change gears, the engine is still accelerating. It's very brief, but it forces you to slow down your gear changes: if not, the resulting sensation is rather jarring. On the other hand, the motor provides a healthy and pleasurable power delivery in all scenarios. Pair this with its impressive ride quality on- and off-road, and it’s an enjoyable car to drive and offers a carefree approach to speed bumps and potholes.
Coming in at R549,999, it plays in a league of its own, as there isn’t much competition for an affordable adventure car around this price point. Its closest rival would be the Suzuki Jimny, but they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of off-road capability. The Jimny is a master of the trails, but it struggles on tar. Think of the Duster as a happy medium. It’s not for serious 4x4 trails, but it handles muddy and rough dirt roads with ease and even simple obstacles are a walk in the park. However, once you hit the open road, it’s a better put-together product, with a touch of body roll but a tonne of confidence even at higher speeds. Lastly, its size is compact yet larger than that of the Jimny, which of course isn’t a surprise.
The new Renault Duster stands out as an impressive compact SUV, brimming with character and offering a good driving experience. It gives you a sense that you are driving more than just a car. It’s full of quirks, from the looks to the feeling you get when barrelling down a dirt road. Yes, it lacks the same trail-conquering abilities of the Jimny, but what it lacks in raw ruggedness, it gains in everyday liveability and comfort on the open road.
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