All-new Renault Duster - First impression

The all-new Renault Duster landed on the Middle Eastern ground a while back with Jordan being the first recipient. Now, recently Al Masaood Automobiles, Renault official distributor in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain launched the popular compact SUV in UAE as well. Speaking of its popularity, the company has sold over 2,450,000 units of the Duster globally with the Middle East score resting at 55,000. Not bad, we must say. The new Duster is complete revamp over its older model, and here’s our first impression of the car, segregated into different segments, starting from the exterior -

Appealing exterior

The 2019 Duster carries an impressive design, especially the front end that looks entirely new and catchy. The rest of the car though features a few tweaks but at times reminds us of the previous-gen Duster. Our personal favorite is the new grille that’s divided in three-slates each carrying small trapezoidal blocks. The following C-shaped headlamps and bold contour lines further add to the front looks. Another appealing exterior element is the robust roof bars meeting the highest standards in terms of solidity. In addition to the beauty aspects, the new Duster dimensions (as briefed in the image below) speaks a ton about its robust nature. The 210 mm of high ground clearance deserves a special mention while discussing its all-terrain styling.

Functional interior

Enough said about the exterior, the cabin of the new Duster gives a neat, classic, more of a subtle first-impression. The black and beige combination though is a bit mundane but is soothing to the eyes.

The Duster offers an ergonomic driving position with adjustment systems for the driver's seat and steering wheel. Proving its utility is the ⅓ and ⅔ fordable bench seat that allows passengers to carry all that they want. The Duster also features a range of smart storage areas like a sliding compartment under the passenger seat.

Technology on offer

Making the Duster a car fitting the modern commuters need, the company has not restricted itself in the feature department. Be it comfort, technology, or off-roading features the 2019 Duster inlist them all. Here, have a look at the all-new Duster specifications on the feature front - hands-free card & remote engine start, automatic air conditioning, steering wheel with high & depth adjustment, multi-view camera, and Media Nav 3.0 touchscreens infotainment system with a range of practical functionalities.

Taking care of the handling part are features like a 4X4 monitor, three drive modes (4X2, 4X4, and Auto) and cruise control and speed limiter. Included in the list are Blind Spot Warning, Hill Descent Control, and multi-view camera.

Engine configuration

For the 2019 model year, Renault is offering the new Duster with two petrol engine options - a 1.6-litre 4X2 and 2.0-litre 4X4 option. Both are claimed to provide an excellent pickup along with a dynamic drive. As for the performance figures, the 1.6-litre mill churns out 116 PS and156 Nm, while the bigger motor generates 136 PS and 195 Nm. Both the engines adhere to the Euro 5 emission standards. The top speed figures are 161 kmph and 178 kmph respectively for 1.6- and 2.0-litre mill. While a CVT gearbox does duty on the smaller mill, the bigger motor is paired with a four-speed automatic option.

Mislanious - 2019 Duster Price, color, and variants

The all-new Renault Duster is available in three variants - PE, SE, and LE. All of them differ from one another in the sense of features on offer, with PE being the base and LE, the range-topping model. As for the engine options, buyers are free to pair the new Duster variant with either of the two mills. Starting price of the 2019 Renault Duster is AED 51,900 (including VAT). The new Duster is available in nine color options, they are Atacama Orange, Mink Brown, Comet Grey, Navy Blue, Pearl Black, Cosmos Blue, Glacier White, Dune Beige, and Mercury.

That’s all for now on the 2019 Duster, stay tuned for more insightful stories.