The 2019 Renault Duster
Put the larger split rear seat flat and you can load a double bass flat in the back of a Renault Duster. Put the bass on its side and you can fit in a string quartet, including the cello. This was not possible in the old shape X-Trail, then considered the king of cargo.
If the reader suspects the writer has first-hand knowledge of the Renault Duster, this is true.
The Duster has been a hit since its introduction in South Africa in 2013. It was well priced and gave you a great drive, in the city, on the freeway, and onto the dirt. It is a good-looking SUV with a high stance, firmly planted hips, and a very French face. Outside it is compact enough to deal with traffic and parking, while inside offers the aforementioned load space. The front seats are comfortable and fully adjustable, with good lateral support. The back is roomy enough to accommodate a 1.9m bass player.
Bluetooth, 7” touch screen, rear-mounted camera and parking sensors, good sound, some more bells and whistles, a solid feel on the road with great fuel consumption. How and why do you improve the Renault Duster?
The answer is more an evolution than a revolution, a makeover to stay up to date with other offerings in the highly-competitive SUV segments. Immediately noticeable are the more aggressive lines, LED daytime running lights, prominent roof bars, and front and rear skid plates. Both the front grille and headlights and the taillights have been updated. The latter is now very attractive square-shaped.
The wheels are 16” or a solid 17” alloy, model depending. You have a choice of 4×2 or 4×4, five- or six-speed manual or six-speed auto, depending on which model you choose.
Rhe safety features are comprehensive, including ABS and emergency brake assist, electronic stability control, blind-spot warning, front driver and passenger airbags, height-adjustable front seat belts, an inertia-reel seatbelt for the middle back seat as well, and headrests on all five seats. The rear-view mirrors are electrically adjustable.
The cargo cover panel is easy to remove and the rear seats split 60/40 to give you both high and long load capacity. The full-size spare wheel is carried under the boot.
So the updated Renault Duster still gives you all the attributes that made the previous iteration such a hit, but now just a bit more handsome and with a handful of new features. Why not arrange a test drive in the new Renault Duster? You are sure to be impressed.
