2016 Renault Duster Facelift First Drive Review

Renault Duster was launched in India in July 2012 following the Pulse hatchback. The truly global SUV had suspension changes and strengthened underside to increase the car’s off-roading ability and suit Indian road conditions. The Duster sparked mid-size premium SUV segment in the country and had no direct rivals in the beginning. It sailed smoothly by being the first product from such an elite category and projected the then-new Renault brand into a highly recognisable and potent manufacturer among the budget-obsessed Indian customers.

It was the model responsible for the French car company’s nearly 30 awards since it commenced dedicated local production operations in Chennai and was the torch-bearer in every strategic move the company had to step foot in. Let us say the pre-Kwid era was dominated by the feisty Duster.

But as the SUV ran out of steam without any physical updates, its popularity had dwindled in recent years in the midst of arrival of an all-wheel drive version in late 2014 that had initially been assigned for export markets. To offset the outdated content, Renault revealed the facelifted AMT model carrying loads of potential up its sleeves at the Auto Expo 2016 hosted in Greater Noida.

However, instead of biding time and wait to witness its key rivals’ next maneuvers, Renault decided to give it a go and commercially launched the facelifted Duster recently at the Auto expo. This was a bold decision as the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza was known to be taking the market by storm even before its launch.

We were there to adjudicate how far the new Duster differs from the original version and can it hold flagship status the company has assigned it to be by being the best of the lot? Our test drive report will give you every piece of what went into the 2016 Renault Duster:

Renault Duster Facelift Price:

Exterior:

The new Duster has been treated with a fresh new grille at front. The mono-slat element has been replaced in favour of the dual-slat chrome grille that houses the prominent Renault emblem in the middle and the new tiny bits in the now-large air intake make for an aggressive appeal. The headlamps are reworked and the front and rear scuff plates are modified.

All these changes brings the model in line with the global model that’s been manufactured from five different plants around the world. The wider stance was ensured by the new grille which elevated the bossy presence of the SUV. The flared wheel arches shelters the newly designed gunmetal finished 16-inch alloy wheels and the Kayak roof rails warp up a sturdier side profile.

Looking at the Duster from the front or sides, you could notice that Renault had been very cautious in not ruining the overall body-style as the added aggression will appeal for many young buyers whose serious intention should be to own an outright off-roader rather than a family runaround.

The biggest change to the rear is the addition of the waterfall-styled tail lights and the single-exhaust has been integrated into the diffuser assembly. The electric wing mirrors are fitted with the turn indicators in the refreshed SUV. The minor cosmetic makeovers at the rear as well will be substantial in breathing a new life into the Duster and without any over-hyped proportions, the exterior styling had certainly been nothing short of impressive.

The French manufacturer has managed to retain the overall catchy appearance despite the revisions everywhere to get the SUV up to bring it up to current standards. The personalisation level comprises of new satin chrome strips, bulbar and door sill guard protectors along with a new body colour called Cayenne Orange.

Interior:

Inside the cabin, the centre console has been treated with piano-black finish to enhance premium-ness and when you climb aboard the cockpit you could really feel that. The new Renault Duster receives other makeovers like updated upholstery and the new red and silver separate contrast colour touches with respective seat stitching have elevated the sportiness.

The rear-view camera now displays reverse guide lines and the Air Conditioning has been upgraded for good use from the outgoing model. But for a 6 foot tall lad like me, I felt little cramped despite adjusting the steering wheel to suit my driving position and the left leg was constantly obscured while pressing the clutch pedal.

There are new power windows with anti-pinch function and an user friendly seven-inch MEDIANAV touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity. The entertainment unit was up to the standards but you can only wish the whole dashboard to have had an enlightening design rather than a conventional appearance.

The top-of-the-line models are being offered with dual airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program, Creep Control and Hill Start Assist to emphasise safety on whatever the surface you drive.

Walkaround Video:

Dimension:

It measures 4,315 mm in length, 1,822 mm in width, 1,695 mm in height, 2,673 in wheelbase with a ground clearance of 205 mm and has a kerb weight of 1,160 kg. The overall length of the SUV stresses its wanting ability to be an authentic off-roader and more appropriately deviates it from the sub-compact SUV space.

The Duster allows for a highly-recommendable and class-leading 475 litres of bootspace and 50 litres of fuel tank capacity. The generous wheelbase should have offered for ample amount of cabin space but I sat there wondering it was not up to the mark. The headroom cannot be complained but the lack of thigh support and the knee-room will make you stressed out on long drives like we had from Pune to Mumbai on the expressway.

But, up front you can free your legs and sit comfortably. Courtesy of the mechanicals and well constructed chassis, the Duster doesn’t seem like a 1.16 tonne SUV and there’s little in the way of bodyroll.

Engine Specs & Performance:

The 2016 Renault Duster has a significant addition of the six-speed Renault Easy-R AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) as a 110 PS diesel variant. The AMT’s mileage is claimed at 19.6 kmpl – as similar to the manual version as the gear rations are identical. The 1.6-litre petrol engine linked with five-speed manual gearbox continues to produce 102 bhp at 5,850 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 3,750 rpm.

The 1.5-litre diesel is carried over from the outgoing model to generate a maximum power output of 108 bhp at 3,900 rpm and 248 Nm of torque at 2,250 rpm or otherwise 84 bhp and 200 Nm. The ARAI claimed petrol mileage is 13.6 kmpl and 19.72 kmpl for the diesel manual variants.