Renault Duster AMT Long Term Review – Second Report

Renault Duster AMT Long Term Review

Long Term Test No. 126

Car Tested: Renault Duster AMT RXZ

Kms Done: 6103 kms
Test Started at: 13,262 kms
Test Concluded at: 19,365 kms
Mileage: 12.29 km/l, 15.31 km/l (best), 10.95 km/l (worst)
Fuel Consumed: 496.58-litres
Fuel Cost: Rs. 30,540/-
Rs. per km: Rs. 5.00/-

The Duster AMT is a perfect package for those who seek a practical compact SUV which is tough and engaging to drive

Back in 2012, I met Marc Nassif, the CEO of Renault India at that time, at an award function where the Duster was awarded the ‘Car of the Year’. The casual conversation led me asking the question if Renault was considering an automatic option for the Duster. He politely denied stating that Indian market is still not ready for automatics and the Duster will only be coming with the MT. Yet in 2016, when Renault launched the much-needed facelift of the Duster, they did have an AMT on sale. So, was it just the Creta effect or the Indian consumers had started developing a newfound love for automatics? It was time to find out when the Duster AMT came to the MotorBeam garage. We have driven this through thick and thin and challenged it in unimaginable conditions. Did the Duster AMT (EASY-R in Renault speak) cut the mustard, read on to find out.

I simply love SUVs and when a new long termer comes into the MotorBeam garage, I usually have my hand up even before the car arrives. My routine makes me drive to offbeat places for video shoots where there is literally no road, places where it would be a sin to take sedans and hatchbacks and in these conditions, high ground clearance vehicles are the stars. But majority of my running is in Mumbai city which goes through flooding every year. Naturally, SUVs find it easier to tackle such conditions. An added advantage of the big boot is that heavy camera equipment and tripods fit with ease and if you need to occasionally pick up relatives from the airport, the boot can swallow a great deal of luggage. In fact, the last time I had the Duster (pre-facelift) at my disposal, I had done Mumbai-Goa a full three times.

If you recollect, Faisal had borrowed the Duster from me last time when he needed to urgently go to Lonavala. Since his Ford Figo had a flat tyre, for the love of driving, I was happy to oblige. I was surprised that Faisal actually liked the Duster AMT and he had some good things to say (which you have already read in our first report). When Renault launched the Duster in 2012, I felt it was overpriced for what it offered but Renault did address a bunch of issues when it launched the facelifted version. The interiors, now, feel a much better place to be in. The quality has improved and the exteriors look a little more macho, thanks to that intimidating chrome grill on the hood. From the aesthetic perspective, the Duster screams SUV and there is no denying that everybody in my team just loves the way this SUV looks.

But looks is just one part of it, there is so much more to a car. Let’s start with the AMT gearbox first. Renault needed to launch an autobox with the Duster after seeing that the Hyundai Creta AT was doing exceptionally well. In fact, Hyundai was selling more automatics than they had anticipated. While Renault has a DCT (globally available) at their disposal, they decided to go with the AMT for costs’ sake. The AMT transmission by nature has considerable lag and that is why enthusiasts don’t prefer these. However, the Duster was much better than we thought. The high torque of 248 Nm and 110 PS of power from the diesel motor makes it much more drivable even though there is a fair bit of lag. This car is better than any of the other AMTs out there but you have to plan your overtakes as you don’t want the gearbox to shift into the deadzone in the middle of an overtake. One does get used to this after a while and it’s quite effortless thereon.

One advantage of the AMT, if you perceive it that way, is about fuel economy. Traditionally it is the manual gearbox which is paired with the AMT and hence the fuel efficiency is similar to what you would get in a manual Duster. The Duster AMT delivered an average fuel efficiency of 12.29 km/l with best and worst being 15.31 km/l and 10.95 km/l respectively. Drive it with a light foot and it will enhance the fuel economy. If you like the pedal to metal technique, not only will it appear to be lazier in shifting gears, it will be noisy and will be harsher on the fuel efficiency front. There are some things we absolutely loved about the Duster and then there were some which needed improvement. Let’s start with the good bits.

Hill Start Assist on the AMT Duster makes it safer and convenient on steep inclines

The Renault Duster facelift addressed the primary ergonomic issues in the cabin, things are more sorted. The vehicle may not be boasting of the best build quality but is quite rough and tough. There are places I have treaded with the Duster, I would think twice in any other city SUV. During the monsoon when half of Mumbai comes to a standstill due to waterlogging, we have been caught out in areas where the water level has been almost above the bumper level. In all probability, I had thought I would have to abandon the car and save myself but the Duster has delivered when it mattered. Moreover, in off-road conditions, we were surprised how even the AMT can handle most of what is thrown at it. There is nothing out there which will deliver this level of ride and handling balance. Ride quality was exceptional over every terrain. In fact, we feel this level of ride quality is what is needed for Indian conditions, especially cities like Mumbai where you literally have to search for the roads post monsoon.

The steering offers terrific feedback and it is something enthusiasts will love but the feedback is a bit too much for the common man. The kickback from the steering can take you by surprise which isn’t a good thing. Something which needs to improve is the touch-screen AVN. It takes so much time to boot. If you start your car and need to reverse out of your parking, it’s display would come on when you are already a kilometre into your journey. And the driver’s seat height adjustment and headlamp leveller is still ridiculous for a car which costs as much. Even the headlight throw at night is very average and doesn’t provide adequate illumination. NVH levels are just average too with engine, road and wind noise evidently audible in the cabin. Interiors, though vastly improved, still show that cost cutting was done in certain places. The AMT is only available in the 110 PS RxZ trim, it could have been offered paired with the AWD, that would be something.

Renault Duster Diesel Service Costs

1. Service Schedule – 10,000 kms/1 year (whichever is earlier)
2. Cost of Service per 1,00,000 Km – Rs. 71,653/-
3. Labour cost per paid service – Rs. 2308/- (average)
4. Cost of Spares –

* Engine Oil Per Service – Rs. 1395/- (4.5-litres)
* Air Filter – Rs. 600/-
* Brake Oil – Rs. 300/-
* Oil Filter – Rs. 541/-
* Fuel Filter – Rs. 2640/-
* AC Dust Filter – Rs. 472/-
* Brake Pads (Front) – Rs. 3753/-
* Front Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 5013/-
* Rear Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 3088/-
* Headlamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 6733/-
* Tail Lamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 3601/-

(all costs above are inclusive of taxes)

The Duster AMT may be having a few hiccups but it is exactly what is needed in today’s times. SUV body style with an automatic is what most people look out for in urban setups. The AMT may not be the slickest shifter but provides the comfort and convenience much needed in daily stop-go traffic. It is more cost effective too if you compare it with the Creta but then, that is a torque convertor and it won’t be a fair comparison. However, for the layman, the Duster makes a strong case with the AMT and with Renault having showcased the next generation Duster globally, it will be interesting to see how the affordable SUV battle unfolds once that lands into India.

What’s Cool

* Butch looks and good road presence
* Spacious and comfortable interiors
* Strong mechanicals and fun to drive nature

What’s Not So Cool

* Feels spartan in some aspects
* Misses out on many features that rivals offer

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

Renault Duster AMT Long Term – First Report
2016 Renault Duster Facelift Review
2016 Renault Duster Facelift Video Review
Renault Duster 2WD Review
Renault Duster AWD Review
Renault Duster Long Term Review
Renault Duster vs Nissan Terrano
Renault Duster vs Ford EcoSport
Renault Duster vs Ford EcoSport Video
Renault Duster vs Nissan Terrano vs Ford EcoSport
Mega SUV Shootout
Renault Duster vs Hyundai Creta vs Mahindra XUV500
Renault Duster AWD vs Tata Safari Storme vs Mahindra Scorpio
Maruti S-Cross vs Ford EcoSport vs Renault Duster
Renault Duster vs Hyundai Creta vs Mahindra XUV500 – Video