2018 Renault Duster - Know its alternatives

The Renault Duster 2018 is indeed a great car to opt for. It costs somewhere around AED 54,000. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine is found in three variants - 64PS/160Nm, 85PS/200Nm and 110PS/245Nm. There are many extra-ordinary features to admire in the car. However, the Duster receives tough competition from cars of various manufacturers and even from its own brand! And this is one of the reasons why its low sales.

Before zeroing down on Duster or any of its competitors, you should compare them and be sure that you are investing your money in the right car.

Here are a few cars you might consider buying:

Mitsubishi ASX

If you are looking for a compact SUV that offers plenty of space inside, then this is your thing! It has both 2WD (fuel efficient) and 4WD (lock) modes just like the Duster and looks aggressive with its big grille. Its 2-litre four-cylinder engine produces 149.6 PS of power and 197 Nm of torque.

It also comes with a reverse camera and touch-screen unit on the dashboard and uses this light-weight aluminium block to navigate across the streets and highways. It also allows the user to choose from three driving modes with the mere pressing of a button. Simple and smart! The car is highly agile on road and is capable of giving tough competition to other crossover SUVs.

Moreover, MacPherson strut at the front and rear multi-link suspensions are also present to help ASX travel easily across both smooth and rough roads. The price of the car ranges from AED 59,000 to 90,000.

Renault Capture

Another popular crossover SUV from Renault that is elegant to look at is the Capture. It offers a 1461 cc diesel engine and a 1498 cc petrol engine. The dimensions of the car are somewhat like this - length 4329 mm, width 1813 mm, and wheelbase 2673 mm. It can produce about 112 PS of power and 240 Nm of torque. Even the base variant comes with a lot of features such as the LED DRLs, automatic control of temperature, an integrated audio system, and bits of chrome adorning the surface which prompt many buyers to choose it over any other model.

This fuel-efficient car can provide good quality rides with easy handling methods. It also comes with a number of safety features like the four airbags, hiss start assist and ABS along with EBD. So, you can enjoy a speedy yet safe ride! The price starts from AED 52,900.

Nissan Kicks

Nissan Kicks is another great alternative, considering its styling, fuel economy, and price. It is a front-wheel drive SUV that is also sub-compact in size. It has a 1.6-litre engine that is capable of producing 126.78 PS and 149 Nm torque. It is a kind of simplistic car having minimal features like keyless entry, manual air-conditioning, and a two-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and USB.

The safety features include ABS and EBD, ESP along with hill-start assist, front risk brakes, rear drums, and a monitor for tyre-pressure. It is also equipped with Intelligent Mobility features like Moving Object Detection System (MOD) and Around View Monitor (AVM) though restricted to the top SL model only. It has its price starting from AED 59,000.

Kicks offer just the right features at a rather affordable price and is ideal for someone who does not wish to be thrilled but to get the necessary features expected from an SUV of its range. 

Hyundai Creta

This car is available in three engine options- two diesel, 1396 cc and 1582 cc mill and one 1591 cc petrol. The four- cylindered engines are capable of offering a maximum torque of 259.87 Nm and around 128 PS of power at 1500-3000rpm. It is capable of providing 14.8 to 22.1 kmpl mileage. This 5-seater SUV is 4270 mm in length, 1780 mm in breadth and the wheelbase is 2590 mm.

It is featured with manual transmission and offers a variety of specs like multi-function steering wheel, an exterior rearview mirror, automatic climate control, engine start-stop button, anti-lock braking system and more.

The front fog lights and alloy wheels add to the magnificent look of the car. The sunroof of the car also deserves mention here as it gives it an edge over the others in terms of look. The powered driver's seat and wireless charging help easing the operation of the car. Its potent and refined engine options make it a popular choice among the car-lovers. It has a six-speed automatic transmission that comes with both petrol and diesel options. It is priced around AED 65,500.

So, these are the alternatives of Renault Duster 2018 that are highly popular among the residents of UAE. While some are reasonably priced, the others come with some amazing specs or great safety features.

Choose your model wisely! Happy driving!