The Renault Duster Turbo is a tricky car to find reasons to buy and not to buy since the original diesel-only car literally kick-started the small SUV race in India with its sorted ride, strong diesel engine, solid build and more space than say your average hatchback. Indians adored the car and bought it by the bucket-load.
But, change is the only constant in this world and thus while the segment it once spearheaded exploded, the Duster lost its sheen and has been relegated to the sidelines of late. However, the Duster Turbo looks to bring the compact SUV back into contention with its decent price tag and powerful engine. We list out why one would want to buy it and why one would not bother looking at the car.
Renault Duster Turbo 4 Reasons To Buy
Ride quality – This is one car that Renault did its magic with respect to sorting out the ride. The diesel-only model was famed for its ride and the same continues to this day. It is one SUV in its class that does not bother dealing with poor surfaces and it is all the better for it.
Abuse-friendly and robust – Before first launching the car, Renault tested it over lakhs of km across the country. Since it also had a 4-wheel-drive variant briefly, the car had to be built solidly and it still is. Since it is on the market for a while now, people know it is a solid car that would take more than enough abuse on a daily-basis.
Petrol engine performance – The Renault Duster Turbo reasons to buy list surely has to include that 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit that makes 156 PS and 254 Nm. It just about beats every competitor with its power figure and despite being a tall-riding vehicle, the Duster is plenty fast enough.
Cheaper than rivals – With a starting price of Rs. 10.49 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) the Duster Turbo is cheaper than its chief rivals by a huge margin. Yes, it is a car of the previous generation, but then again, it does boast of a solid new engine and durable chassis to keep its appeal alive.
4 Reasons Not To Buy
No Diesel – The 1.5-litre diesel was what made the Duster a huge success. It came in two states of tune and was fairly economical, certainly better than the petrol unit sold alongside it. In my opinion a utility vehicle should have a diesel engine option, since many buyers look for that in such a car.
Fuel efficiency is less – With a sprightlier engine under the bonnet, the Duster Turbo is not what you would call massively fuel efficient. This marks it heavily against the Renault Duster Turbo reasons to buy list. Keep your right foot actions soft and fuel bills will be acceptable.
New gen not available in India – Renault decided not to replace the Duster with its successor when the latter was launched overseas three years ago. Due to that decision, the model is now deemed old and misses out on modern kit that buyers today love. Timely introduction of new models is important and we hope Renault has learnt its lesson.
Less features – The Duster does come with modern tech like a touchscreen infotainment system with connectivity options. But newer rivals have moved the game much further these days. Look at what Hyundai and Kia offer on their cars in comparison. This makes the Duster, even in the hot turbo trim, look ancient.
