2019 Renault Duster Gets Refreshed Styling & New Features, Prices Largely Unchanged

The Duster has received only cosmetic and feature updates along with a rejigged variant lineup, and remains mechanically unchanged

• Gets refreshed exterior and interior with additional features. 

• Prices remain largely unchanged. 

• Now gets mandatory safety features like dual front airbags and ABS with EBD on all variants to adhere to upcoming crash test norms.

• AWD becomes more affordable as it is no longer available in the top-spec RXZ variant.

• AMT is only available in the top-spec variant. 

• Priced between Rs 8 lakh to 12.50 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).

French carmaker Renault has given its ageing SUV Duster another facelift to freshen up its appeal to buyers. It has been priced between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12.50 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). Some of the variants of the Duster have been discontinued while some new variants have been added to the lineup. Take a look at the table below for a comparison between the old and new prices and to find out which are the new variants and which variants have been discontinued.

All prices are ex-showroom (pan-India).

Speaking of changes, the Duster has received a host of cosmetic updates. The front fascia features changes to the bumper, bonnet and grille. At the rear, Renault has added additional black cladding. The alloy wheels are still 16-inchers but now feature a new dual-tone multi-spoke design. Renault is also offering the Duster in two new shades: Caspian Blue and Mahogany Brown.

The cabin of the Duster has also been updated. The chunky steering wheel has been replaced by a newer one, similar to the one seen on the Nissan Kicks and Renault Triber. Renault has also re-jigged the design of the dashboard. It has reduced the number of storage spaces atop the previous dashboard, which does take away some practicality; however, the design is much cleaner and modern now. 

The round AC vents have been replaced by rectangular units and the passenger side of the dashboard now features an insert that is colour-coordinated with the exterior. The updated cabin also features brushed metallic highlights, similar to the Platine edition of the Renault Captur.

On the features front, Renault has updated the headlights and DRLs setup. The low beam now uses projectors while the high beam uses the multi-reflector setup. The DRLs have also been updated from bulbs to LEDs.

The standard safety feature list has also been updated on the Duster. It now gets dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and front seatbelt reminder on all variants.  Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Hill-Start Assist are available on higher variants.

Features like cruise control, auto climate control, rear AC vents, 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and LED tail lamps have been carried forward. The audio system gets tweeters at the front, along with Arkamys sound tuning.

Also Read: Renault India To Stop Selling Diesel Cars By 2020?

Mechanically, the Duster remains unchanged and is still offered with petrol and diesel (2 states of tune) engines. The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre unit that dishes out 106PS of max power and 142Nm of peak torque. It can be had with a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre unit and is available in two states of tune. One makes 85PS/200nm while the other is tuned to make 110PS/245Nm. The more conservative 85PS version can be had with a 5-speed MT while the more powerful 110PS version can be had with a 6-speed MT or AMT. It continues to be the only monocoque SUV in the subcompact and compact segments to offer an AWD (all-wheel-drive system) option.

The Duster has a unique positioning in the Indian market as its prices start where subcompact SUVs are positioned and go up till the price of compact SUVs. Thus, it competes with the likes of the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300 as well as the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross.

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