2019 Renault Duster: What’s new?

Renault might have been one of the pioneers in the success of the category of compact SUVs with the Duster. However, amidst the rising competition, the Duster has been lagging behind its rivals owing to its dated appeal in the recent past. Not anymore, as Renault has come up with an all-new model of the Duster, which is gradually being launched in other markets of Middle East. With the market of UAE being the next one for its venture, the new Duster boasts of several changes to meet the raised expectations of the buyers from it. Let’s find out with what all changes do the Renault

Duster is arriving to the shores of UAE:-

Revamped front fascia

The Duster already had a butch face despite its compact dimensions. With the new updated model, this front fascia has only become bit more contemporary to look at. The grille now is wider and looks much more premium with diamond like pattern for the chrome linings. The headlamps have been tweaked too, and they do now sport daytime running LEDs. However, they still miss projector units for the headlamps. The front bumper too now features larger silver skid plates, thus adding to the macho persona of the Duster.

Larger appearing side profile 

From the side, the Duster might not have seen a massive change in its design, and looks more like a mild evolution. The already muscular looking wheel arches have become a bit smoother to make it look more elegant. The most significant change to this side profile is the new sleeker looking outside rear view mirrors. Another minor addition is a black vertical strip on the front fender adjacent to the front doors, which come with turn signals integrated on them. Since the length and wheelbase have gone up, the new Duster looks longer than the model it replaces.

Redesigned rear profile

Like the front, the rear of the Duster too has gone under knife with significant changes to make it look butch and premium at the same time. The vertical tail lamps with waterfall like lighting pattern have been replaced with more squared set of tail lamps. The chrome garnish on the rear door too has become sleeker and wider, which gives way to a prominent character line joining the rear wheel arches. Just like on the front bumper, the rear bumper too comes with larger silver skid plates.

Completely new interior cabin layout 

Gone is the dated and cost-conscious interiors, and in comes a redesigned dashboard, which looks wider and more premium than that of the outgoing model. Renault has ditched the vertical layout of the center console, and has chosen to give the dashboard a wider rectangular and longitudinal theme. Everything on this cockpit is new – from the new three spoke steering wheel to the instrument console to the center console and the octagonal shaped AC vents.

List of features

This is another area where the Duster needed a slight upgrade, and Renault seems to have listened to the feedback. The new Duster now comes equipped with features like push button start with keyless entry and bigger 17-inch alloy wheels, along with the previously available features like 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reverse parking camera with sensors, navigation system, cruise control with speed limiters, electrically adjustable and foldable rear view mirrors, four airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, Blind spot monitor, automatic climate control, hill start assist, roof rails, height adjustable driver’s seat and steering mounted audio and Bluetooth controls. However, the infotainment system still is the older dated looking unit, which continues to miss out on modern features like Android Auto and Apple Carplay. 

New set of powertains 

Along with the already available 2.0 liter petrol engine, Renault has come up with an all new smaller petrol engine. The latter displaces 1.6 liter and produces a maximum power output of 115 bhp and a peak torque output of 156 Nm. This engine is coupled to a CVT transmission. It is still unclear whether Renault will continue to power the UAE-spec Duster with the currently available 2.0 liter petrol engine or plonk in this new powertrain in the facelifted model as an option. Both the engines do come with AWD as standard, with the smaller 1.6 liter getting a 4x2 variant as well.

Interior dimensions

The one particular area where the Duster really outshone all of its rivals is the amount of space it had on offer. With the facelifted model, the Duster is only going to take the benchmark to an all new height. With increased length, width and height, the new Duster has now got an even roomier cabin with extra addition to the already cavernous boot space as well. The ground clearance too has gone up by 5mm to make it even more off-road ready

All new color options

Renault has unveiled some all new color options for the new Duster in other markets, which include Mercury Grey, Comet Grey, Pearl Black, Cosmos Blue, Navy Blue, Mink Brown, Dune Beige and Atacama Orange. However, it is unsure whether the Duster for the UAE will be available in these new colors or will continue to come with the existing ones.