Why Is The Duster Not Getting The Love It Deserves From Renault?

The model that was instrumental in the rise of the compact SUV space has fallen a long way behind its rivals

• Second-gen Euro-spec Duster has been given a facelift.

• First-gen Duster has been on sale in India for nearly a decade.

• Monthly sales of the Duster have been declining every year while rivals like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have enjoyed notable success.

• The next big update for the Duster in India will likely be the third-gen global model which is not expected to arrive for another couple of years.

• The Duster in India is lacking in features, compared to rivals Creta and Seltos.

• It also lost some of its rugged appeal when the all-wheel-drive variant was discontinued as part of the BS6 update.

The Renault Duster was one of the first compact SUVs in India and also the brand’s first successful product in the country. Introduced here in 2012, it’s nearly a decade old now. In that time, the European-spec model was given a generational update that has just received its mid-life update now. However, this second-gen Duster never came to India and it’s unlikely to arrive at all. While facelifts and engine updates have kept the first-gen Duster around in India, its Korean rivals that entered the segment later have enjoyed much success. The lack of significant upgrades to keep up with the rivals has hurt the Duster despite its loyal fanbase.

You can take a look at the facelifted second-gen Duster that recently debuted for the European market below:

Ever since the launch of the Hyundai Creta in 2015, the Duster’s sales have been on a downward spiral. Here are the monthly sales figures of both the Renault and Hyundai compact SUVs in December over the last few years:

Renault is not expected to enjoy the same kind of volumes as the likes of Hyundai or Kia, but Duster has the potential to be a popular alternative. While the Creta and Seltos are known to be great city cars with lots of tech, the Duster has a reputation for being rugged and offering a mature ride quality with a spacious cabin at a good price.

When Renault India updated the Duster to offer BS6-compliant engines, it got rid of the 1.5-litre diesel and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant as well. It is currently available with the 106PS 1.5-litre petrol and 156PS 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines, both with a 6-speed manual. The turbo-petrol engine also gets the choice of a CVT automatic. While the Duster Turbo is the most powerful option in the segment, its interior and feature list fall behind the segment leaders.

Here’s how the petrol-only Duster is priced against the petrol variants of its segment leaders:

all prices, ex-showroom Delhi

The Duster is more affordable than the likes of the Creta and Seltos. For a premium of more than Rs 3 lakh at the top-end, these models are equipped with connected car technology, modern infotainment systems with Bose sound systems, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 360-degree camera (Seltos), a panoramic sunroof (Creta), and six airbags. The quality and feel of the interior is also a clear step above what the Duster can offer. 

Besides, both the top-spec variants of the Kia and Hyundai SUVs get the choice of diesel and turbo-petrol engines and each gets its own automatic option: 6-speed torque convertor for the 115PS diesel and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for the 142PS turbo-petrol engine. Renault would benefit from updating the India-spec Duster with a host of modern comforts and cosmetic changes before it does long-lasting damage to the nameplate in India.

The next significant update for the Duster will likely be the third-generation global model of the SUV. However, that isn’t likely to arrive for another couple of years. Until then, the decline of the Duster moniker in India will continue, resulting in a slow death for the iconic compact SUV.

Also read: Renault Kiger And Others Get Discounts Of Up To Rs 75,000 In June 2021

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