2025 Renault Duster review
A popular carmaker is bringing back an SUV with a tech combination you can’t get on Aussie roads anymore.
You might have heard of the Dacia Duster. Or not.
But it’s the Renault Duster that we get in Australia, and this small SUV – built in Romania, sold with a French badge – has been a long time coming.
The brand’s importer, Ateco Automotive, has been discussing bringing the Duster to our market for years, and now, it’s finally here – and it’s come to play. Or, at least, be playful.
Because the Duster has a manual gearbox. And all-wheel drive. And that makes it more like a Suzuki Jimny than any other model in the segment.
MORE: ‘Hated’: Push to get Boomers off Aus roads
There are two engine options to pick from: the more popular one will be a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox and front-wheel drive. It packs a healthy 113kW/270Nm.
Then there’s the other engine, a thrummy three-cylinder turbo engine with mild-hybrid tech that offers up 96kW/230Nm, and comes with a six-speed stick shift and all-wheel drive.
You can pick either of the powertrains in the two grades of Duster on offer.
The Evolution version starts from about $35,000 drive-away for the FWD auto, while the AWD manual is about $39,000 drive-away. You get 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, halogen headlights, a turnkey ignition, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and the AWD model gets some off-road modes.
The higher-spec Techno variant adds some goodies and asks about $40,000 for the auto, and $41,500 for the manual AWD. The extra spend gets you bigger wheels, push-button start, different interior finishing, a (poor quality) surround-view camera and blind-spot monitoring.
MORE: Auto giant’s EV ute to shake up market
The interior has a simple, hard-wearing aesthetic, with, er, easy-wipe surfaces on the doors, and even the elbow rests in the back (and even the front ones in the base grades).
You might think there’s no physical volume controls, but there are buttons on top of the media screen, which is pretty easy to get your head around. And there’s not an “overwhelming” amount of tech here. It’s liveable, and so are the safety systems on offer … because it doesn’t have all the annoying ones, but still has speed-sign recognition and lane-keep assist.
It’s a relatively small SUV at less than 4.4m long, and the rear seat space is tight, and isn’t overly rich in terms of inclusions. But there are ISOFIX points and top-tethers for kid-seats, and air vents, too.
The high-spec model gets roof bars that can turn into roof racks, and there’s a full-size steel spare wheel in all versions, too. But the FWD model gets a bigger boot, with an adjustable floor in the high-grade, that allows it up to 472L. The AWD model has a multi-link rear suspension (as opposed to a torsion beam) and a smaller boot capacity of 358L.
This is a fun little machine to drive, with a heap of torque in the auto version, and thankfully not too much lagginess from the gearbox. It might spin those front tyres, though. The manual is a hoot, with a different character entirely.
More involving, more fun, and the three-pot engine is a giggle-inducing little thing. It’s easy to drive, with predictable steering and fun handling, and the ride comfort is impressive over rough surfaces, rail crossings and rumble strips.
MORE: China’s RAM ute dupe to land in Aus
Renault offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty plan, with five years of roadside assistance included for free.
The service intervals are staggering – 12 months and 30,000km.
I wouldn’t be leaving my turbo engine that long between visits.
It won’t suit everyone but for those willing to think outside or the standard list of options, they’ll be getting a fun, funky and functional small SUV.
VERDICT
4 STARS
