Is the Renault Duster Still Competitive In The UAE In 2024?

Most people know the Duster as being a product of the French auto major Renault, though it was originally the brainchild of Dacia. Dacia was based in Romania up until the turn of this century, when it became a fully-owned subsidy of the Renault Group. It was not until 2010 that the Renault Duster was officially launched, with the compact SUV being based on an iteration of the Renault B0 platform.

While some international markets get the all-new 2024 Renault Duster, the UAE (and by extension, the Middle East) is still selling the second-generation model. The Renault Duster on sale in the UAE is the aforementioned second-gen car, though it is not the one with the facelift, which was unveiled in some markets in 2021. In a market as competitive as the UAE, can the now-aging Duster continue to fight off the competition?

Dimensions and Design

The Renault Duster has a physical footprint that is comparable to some of its closest rivals in the segment. The Duster measures 4,341 mm in length, 1,804 mm in width, and 1,693 mm in height, while the wheelbase is 2,676 mm, and the ground clearance is an impressive 210 mm. The relatively short overhangs of the Duster provide a solid blueprint for an off-road-friendly urban SUV – other attributes include an approach angle of 30 degrees and a departure angle of up to 34 degrees.

Despite its age, the outgoing Renault Duster doesn’t appear bad by any stretch of the imagination. It might not boast the most up-to-date design language that some other new Renault cars might possess, but there are a few eye-catching design details that are worth mentioning. The front end looks beefy and rugged, courtesy of its width-exaggerating stance, a smartly-contoured hood with muscular arches, and a thick designer skid plate.

The front grille sports some neat-looking chrome garnish, while the headlamps feature C-shaped LED elements, and the lower bumper gets black plastic and dual foglamps. Enhancing the Duster’s style are other stylish bits like the 17-inch alloy wheels, robustly designed roof bars, black plastic trim behind the front wheel arches, flared fenders, and a satin silver trim for the door mirror housing.

The aft end of the Duster looks pretty boxy and subtle, save for the stylish taillights that boast a square design, chrome garnish on the tailgate with bold ‘DUSTER’ branding, a large Renault badge finished in chrome, and a sporty-looking rear diffuser with a single chrome-tipped tailpipe.

Cabin and Comfort

The cabin of the Renault Duster is simplistic in its design but does come in a beige/black dual-tone theme, which makes for a sense of roominess. There is enough space for four adults in the Renault Duster, where the fake leather seats look good and also score useful seatback storage. Aside from a select few places, most of the trim in the Duster’s cabin feels utilitarian and scratchy – merits that especially shine through in the lower variants.

It might be an older model now, but the leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good to hold, and the interestingly-shaped front air vents get fake metal trim as garnish – the same goes for the HVAC control knobs. The split-folding rear seats come with three independent headrests and dedicated air vents with flow control. At the same time, the sizeable windows allow enough light into the cabin and also make it easy to maneuver it.

When compared to any of the previous models, the 2023 Renault Duster currently sold in the UAE has improved fit and finish. There is a 2.8-liter storage tray located below the front passenger’s seat, another small area in front of the gear selector, a shallow shelf in front of the front passenger, and medium-sized door pockets. Meanwhile, the Renault Duster’s boot space is up to 478 liters, which can be expanded to 1,623 liters with the rear seats folded.

During its launch, Renault proudly stated that the second-gen Duster comprises upgraded soundproofing materials. This had been achieved with the installation of thicker front windows, improved sealants and plugs, and up to 50 percent more sound-absorbing surfaces all over the car – the end result of all of these is a cabin that is quieter than the first-gen Duster.

Features and Equipment

The Renault Duster comes with quite a list of basic and modern features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation & phone connectivity, keyless entry with remote engine start, electric power steering, automatic climate control, front & rear power windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors with defrosting function, cruise control, and LED daytime-running lights.

The Duster also gets ABS, ESP with Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, ISOFIX anchor points, a Tire Pressure Monitor, 4 airbags, rear parking sensors with Multiview camera, Blind Spot Warning, central door locking, and a rear window with defrosting.

Engine and Performance

The Renault Duster in the UAE is primarily offered with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 115 hp and 156 Nm of torque. The Duster 1.6 comes with a CVT automatic that drives the front wheels, while the Renault Duster mileage for this version is rated at 6.9 L/100 km (14.5 km/L). The Renault Duster can accelerate from 0-100 km in 13.2 seconds and touch a top speed of 161 km/h.

Variants and Price

In the UAE, the 2023 Renault Duster is available in three variants – PE, SE, and LE. The Renault Duster price in the UAE can vary between around AED 60,000-70,000, depending on the variant.

Conclusion

As mentioned before, the Renault Duster that is sold in the UAE is not the latest model. This means that if you want the best avatar of the Duster, then you might want to wait for the time when Renault decides to launch it in the UAE. If you must buy the outgoing model, you should pick the fully loaded LE variant. Moreover, if you can get your hands on a 4x4 version in LE guise, then even better.

FAQs

What is the starting price of the Renault Duster?

A: The starting price of the Renault Duster is around AED 60,000 in the UAE.

How does the Renault Duster perform on rough terrain?

A: The Renault Duster 2.0 4x4 can perform well on rough terrain, while the Renault Duster 1.6 4x2 is likely to handle such terrain decently.

What is the fuel economy of the Renault Duster?

A: The fuel economy of the Renault Duster 1.6 is 6.9 L/100 km (14.5 km/L).

Is the Renault Duster available in different body styles?

A: The Renault Duster is available in SUV and Pickup body styles in some markets, though not in the UAE.

What are the interior features and technology options in the Renault Duster?

A: The interior features and technology options in the Renault Duster include automatic climate control, cruise control, remote engine start, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation & phone connectivity, Blind Spot Warning, Hill Start Assist, rear parking sensors with Multiview camera, 4 airbags, and Electronic Stability Program.