Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo Petrol Review— To regain its strong hold in the mid-size SUV segment of the Indian market, Renault has recently launched its popular SUV Renault Duster in a completely new avatar. The new generation Duster has not only been given a completely new muscular design, but its cabin and features have also been completely upgraded. This time the company has given the option of 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine for performance lovers. We have tested the 6-speed manual variant of this SUV by driving it over long distances and in city traffic, to help you make an informed decision.

Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo Petrol Review: Will the new Duster be able to change the game in the mid-size segment?

Power and driving performance: How is the grip on-road?

The biggest attraction of the new Duster is its 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, direct-injection turbo-petrol engine (Turbo TCe 160). This engine generates power of 160 bhp and torque of 280 Nm. When you engage the 6-speed manual gearbox by pressing the clutch, you may feel a slight turbo lag at the low-end (initial rpm), but once you cross 1800 rpm, the SUV accelerates superbly.

While overtaking on the highway, you do not need to change gears frequently. Its mid-range is quite strong, delivering power continuously up to 4500 rpm. The company claims that its manual variant is capable of giving a mileage of 17.75 km per liter. Its clutch may feel a little heavy in bumper-to-bumper city traffic, but gear shifting is quite smooth and precise.

Design and cabin features: How much has changed?

Talking about the exterior, the new generation Duster looks much sportier and bolder than before. There is a large duster badging on its front grille, on both sides of which are Y-shaped LED headlights and LED DRLs. The new dual-tone alloy wheels in the side profile and black plastic cladding all around give it a rough-and-tough look. Its rear profile has also been completely changed, where connected LED taillights and shark-fin antenna are available.

As soon as you step inside the cabin, you get a completely changed environment. It now gets a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch digital driver display. Apart from this, wireless charger, automatic climate control, and the favorite panoramic sunroof of Indian customers are also included in the car. The cushioning of the seats is good and provides good support during long drives.

Safety and Strength: 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP

This time Renault has not made any compromise in terms of safety. The new Duster has received a 5-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP crash test, which proves its strong build quality. In the list of safety features, the company has given 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, and 360-degree camera. Apart from this, the top variants also get Level-2 ADAS technology, which includes 17 features like lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking.

Official statements and market conditions

“The new Duster has been designed keeping in mind the Indian roads and customer preferences. Its 1.3-litre turbo engine is for drivers who expect great power and performance while driving.”
— Renault India official (during the launch event)

Price and competition: should you buy it?

The starting ex-showroom price of the new Renault Duster in the Indian market is Rs 10.49 lakh, which goes up to Rs 18.69 lakh for the top-end variant. In this price range, it competes directly with segment leaders Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara and Skoda Kushaq.

If you are looking for a mid-size SUV that has strong road presence, suspension that can easily handle bad roads and engine that has enough power to run on the highway, then the 1.3L turbo manual variant of the new Duster can prove to be a great option for you. However, if your priority is purely for light city driving and a very light clutch, then you can consider the automatic (DCT) variant.