Renault Duster 2012-2015 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav

Duster 2012-2015 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav Review

Renault Duster has notably been one of the most successful cars of the year 2012 in the category of compact SUVs. Duster entered the market in July 2012 and has so far been favourable to Renault’s prestige.  After the success of Duster, other automobile makers have also started looking into the compact SUV segment. M&M have already launched Quanto and Ford is going to roll out EcoSport in March 2013. The  Renault Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav is the top-end variant of the Duster line-up. It is a worthy off-roader which is robust and built for abuse. It has been priced at Rs. 11.99 lakh. Its balanced handling and dynamics provide outstanding ride quality. It has a fuel efficient engine that generates optimum power for amazing off road experience. It also has an enormous boot space which makes it perfect for long trips.

Exteriors

Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav is very smart looking as an off-roader. It has got wide wings and a tall structure that adds to its personality. For an extra sporty look, Renault has designed it with premium roof rails, a wide-ish grille made of chrome, skid plates and a sleek antenna. The roof antenna is aerodynamically designed and helps reduce wind noise and turbulence. A sleek body coloured bumper in the front gives way to black plastic cladding which houses round fog lamps on either side. The alloy wheels are imperative to the sporty look of Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav . The most noticeable part is the wheel arches which are very prominently seamed. Under the large wheel arches are the equally large 16-inch alloy wheels. The high ground clearance enables Duster to navigate the Indian roads with ease. The exteriors are pretty rugged acting like a blanket around the heart, the engine. The big Renault badge in between the three slat grille adds to the beauty of Duster; coupled with the double optic headlamps it adds a silvery charm to the Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav . The rear side is marked by a curvy boot lid, skid plate, vertically placed tail lamps with a D-shaped curve alongside, high mount stop lamp, hexagonal windshield with a rear viper, Renault badge and reflectors. Renault Duster is quiet lengthy at 4315mm, it distances itself from the sub 4 metre contenders who do not have to pay heavy excise duty. It has a width of 1822mm. Considering its size and high ground clearance of 205mm it looks an utter off-roader. The height of this SUV is 1695mm. The total kerb weight of Duster is 1235 kg with a wheelbase of 2673mm .

Interiors

The interiors of Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav are pretty much like its predecessor, Renault Logan. A lot of interior equipment has been inspired from Logan. There is a similar semi hooded instrument cluster cover with its chrome polished dials with a digital display in the centre which comes from Logan. The instrument console has large dials akin to Logan and are illuminated in red. The music system has been integrated with the central console and looks modern with its Bluetooth and AUX input functionality. The seating arrangement, although flat, has been designed with premium quality materials and is quite comfortable; especially for long rides. The front seats can be electronically programmed but lack any memory function. The door handles are quiet large and very useful for passengers while the car turns. The interiors have been themed black which gives them a sporty look but removes the luxury quotient. The 3 spoke steering is electronically powered but can be a bit too heavy on the turns; it also bears Renault’s logo. The gear lever too is a bit stubborn like the steering. The curvy dash looks sporty. Individual AC vents have been provided for the rear seat passengers for their comfort. AC vents for the front seat passenger reside on either side of dashboard. The glove box is quite big for storage. Exceptional length with only 5 seats, there is a lot of head room, leg room and shoulder room. It has a 475-litre boot but with the rear seat folded down this figure goes up to 1636 litres which is pretty good. Because drivers and their families have different expectations, Duster offers equipment that concentrates on the essentials without being superfluous.

Engine and performance

Renault Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav comes with a 1.5 CRDi engine capable of producing 108.5bhp and is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 1461cc engine is tweaked to produce a torque of 248Nm. The engine consists of 4-cylinders each with 4 valves and the resultant mileage is quiet decent; it gives 16.8 kmpl in the city and 19.01 kmpl on the highway.

Braking and handling

Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav is incorporated with excellent brake and handling mechanisms . Even in an emergency the brake system is exceptional and responsive. Duster applies a monocoque chassis and incorporated a suspension system that is particularly good whether on highway or in city. In the front McPhearson struts are utilised while in the rear deflected torsion beam axle is used. The suspension system has spring coils which are fitted with anti-roll bars. The steering wheel is electro hydraulic power assisted.

Safety features

Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav incorporates many important safety aspects like Anti-lock Braking System, Emergency Brake Assist and a stability control module. The doors open up on impact and the engine gets a protective under guard. Front fog lamps and rear defogger help navigate in dark and foggy conditions. It also comes with two front airbags (front driver and passenger) and three-point seatbelt pretensioners . It is quiet a sturdy vehicle and its equipment reflects the same. In order to grab a niche, Renault has paid special attention to safety. Duster has been provided with top-notch security and safety features.

Comfort features

The individual AC vents, even on rear seats, are extremely comfortable for the passengers. The presence of power windows and central locking further enhances the usability of SUV. A cup holder is present in the rear arm rest. Both the wing mirrors can be adjusted electronically. The music system does its duty quite religiously in Duster SUV. It also has Bluetooth and aux input support. Radio CD and MP3 player comes with remote control. GPS is another fancy feature in the Duster 110PS Diesel RXZ Optional with Nav and is dead useful.

Pros  

Affordable price

Cons  

Seating capacity, engine