Although many are unaware, the Duster was the first model to challenge the Ford EcoSport, initiating a literal SUV war in 2011. The French automaker's model quickly gained a legion of followers that continues to this day, but are prospective buyers aware of the pros and cons of the Duster? Renault Duster?

With its somewhat robust appearance, ample interior space, and more than satisfactory mechanics, time passed and the Duster lost some of its shine. 

Meanwhile, Renault also decided to invest in another model in the same category: the Captur. Something we know didn't yield much success. 

However, stepping out of the spotlight didn't diminish the Duster's qualities, and what Renault did for the 2021 model was precisely to reinforce its positive points and work to minimize the negative ones. 

In 2020, the model took a huge leap in evolution without straying from its previous price range. For 2021, we can say that the model underwent a simpler and extremely functional redesign. 

So, with the goal of showing you all the pros and cons of the Renault Duster, we created this content especially for you if you're thinking about buying one to call your own. 

Check out all the pros and cons of the Renault Duster and what to consider before making a purchase. 

With new body panels and changes to the windshield angle that made it even more attractive, a highlight of the Duster is its cabin. 

The dashboard, which was once simpler, is now more attractive and functional. Although the plastics remain rigid, the impression is that they are of better quality, with a positive highlight being the metallic accents on the air vents and air conditioning controls. 

Another point that is very pleasing is the layout of some controls with buttons reminiscent of an airplane, such as the start-stop system and the door locks, for example, with a solution that even resembles some Audi cars. 

Furthermore, the steering wheel is new – the same one used in the smaller Logan and Sandero models. The LCD screen for the on-board computer with digital speedometer is the ultimate in terms of cabin spaciousness. 

The cabin has even been restructured up to the ceiling and now features black upholstery and new reading lights both at the front and in the center. 

The seats are nice and functional, and the mirror adjustment controls have been moved to the left side of the dashboard, next to the blind spot warning button. 

If the Duster was already good in terms of space and suspension, these aspects are even better with the cabin being more isolated in terms of noise and vibrations. 

Although the vehicle is noisy during full acceleration and overtaking, and the engine literally "enters" the cabin, in all other conditions the SUV became much quieter.

The suspension, which has always been a strong point, remains very good when it comes to handling potholes, ditches, and speed bumps, being able to absorb a wide variety of impacts very competently without making the body wobble in tight corners or at high speeds. 

Even though they no longer have the 4x4 option, the Duster performs very well on dirt roads, which pleases those who are passionate about it.

With its 23.7 cm ground clearance and a 30-degree approach angle, the 16'' and 17'' wheel versions with Continental tires (which, by the way, offer good grip) seem to make the Duster feel like it can make the streets smoother, as any self-respecting SUV should. 

As for space, there's really nothing to complain about. The Renault Duster has always performed well and continues to do so beautifully. 

It comfortably seats 5 adults and has good interior width, taking advantage of the fact that it is one of the longest SUVs in the segment, and boasts a 475-liter trunk that many competing models envy. 

Continuing our list of pros and cons of the Renault Duster, we have one item that cannot be overlooked when considering buying a Duster to call your own. 

Even when brand new, the Duster's prices are extremely attractive and seen as a positive point. 

The model starts at R$ 71,000 in its simplest version and reaches a price of R$ 87,490 in its most complete version. 

It is practically the cheapest SUV on the market when compared to other competing models. 

Most SUVs sold here start at R$100,000, while the top-of-the-line version of the Duster is almost R$15,000 below that. Let's face it, that's something you can't ignore, can you?

One very positive aspect of the Renault Duster is its good market acceptance. As it is a high-quality vehicle with many positive features, the model has excellent availability in the used car market. 

This can make life much easier for those looking for a quality Duster and wanting to pay a more affordable price for one. 

Although the top-of-the-line versions are more expensive than the entry-level ones, which is obvious, they are still much cheaper than their competitors and come with a number of features and equipment that deserve special mention. 

For example, the new control panel features an 8-inch capacitive screen and a four-camera system (front, rear, and side) that facilitates maneuvering, in addition to independent profiles for users. 

Another highly praised feature of the system is its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which works very easily without any synchronization difficulties. 

The card-type key only needs to be brought close to the car for the alarm to be deactivated and the doors to be unlocked (which also applies when exiting), while the engine is started by a button on the dashboard. 

Digital air conditioning is also a great feature to mention in terms of cost versus benefit. 

We can say, bluntly and without mincing words, that the Duster's cost-benefit ratio is something you'll rarely find in another vehicle. 

Starting with the negative points in our list of Pros and Cons of the Renault Duster, the most notable drawback is the lack of an alternative engine.

 As previously mentioned, the 2021 Duster only comes with the outdated 1.6 engine. Everyone believes, and we include ourselves in this group, that the model deserves a new engine, such as a 1.3 turbo, which would be capable of delivering power combined with fuel economy. 

As mentioned in the previous item, the 2021 Duster deserved a new engine. The current one is capable of generating 120 horsepower with ethanol, which in theory is functional but proves insufficient when the model is equipped with the CVT transmission, which is tuned for comfort. When an incline appears, the model struggles. 

Thinking about it, it's not just on uphill climbs that the model struggles. The CVT transmission has slow starts and accelerations. In short, the driver presses the accelerator and it seems like nothing happens until suddenly the engine revs up and the model gains momentum. 

In terms of acceleration, the Duster goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.8 seconds, and the 80 to 120 km/h acceleration takes about 10 seconds. 

For comparison purposes only, the automatic Renegade 1.8, which also has a reputation for being slow, shows test results of 13.1 seconds and 10.5 seconds respectively. 

Therefore, we recommend not expecting good starts at traffic lights, and when you need to overtake on the road, resort to manual gear changes for greater speed. 

This slowness of the CVT transmission could be compensated for by improved fuel consumption, couldn't it?

But unfortunately, this is also a negative point. Although the start-stop system, which shuts off the engine during short stops, and the ECO mode, which makes the responses smoother, are present, the Duster's fuel consumption figures aren't great. 

With a manual transmission, the averages are as follows:

With a CVT transmission, the averages drop to:

Continuing with our list, we have... devaluation that hits hard in the Renault Duster. 

However, it's important to keep in mind that the depreciation process of the Duster is only bad for those who choose to buy a brand new model. 

Those who choose to buy a used or nearly new model may actually end up benefiting from this depreciation, managing to buy a vehicle in good condition at a good price.

Furthermore, it's important to keep in mind that all vehicles purchased new are subject to depreciation and devaluation. Therefore, this shouldn't be seen as something unique to the Duster. 

Continuing our list of pros and cons of the Renault Duster, we have some negative points regarding the interior. The finishing details in some areas still leave something to be desired. 

Ergonomics for the driver are somewhat hampered by the wide center console, which bumps against the right leg, and also by the position of the door handle, which can hit the left leg. 

These aspects have improved significantly compared to previous versions, but they can still be bothersome, especially after a long trip.

There's also a lack of more efficient storage compartments. Most are shallow and leave things loose. There isn't even an efficient cup holder – there's actually a round hole where you can't even fit a water bottle. 

The manufacturer insists on the attachment on the steering column to control the radio functions, even though there is plenty of space and unused buttons on the multifunction steering wheel. 

Finally, the CVT gearshift lever lacks illumination at night, as there is no track indicating the transmission positions, and the driver may get a little lost with the gear positions in the dark.

These are some remnants of the new project that still appear despite the good job of redesigning the SUV.

As we've said in our previous pros and cons analyses, there is no vehicle that is completely 100% in terms of approval.

There will always be someone who dislikes one aspect or another. However, when we analyze it objectively and calculatingly, we can see that there are far more positive points than negative ones when we talk about the Renault Duster. 

Therefore, we can say without a doubt that this model is indeed a good purchase, whether it's a brand new one or a used one. 

If you are thinking of buying a Renault Duster After all this analysis, our advice is simple: Click the button below and discover the many ways to buy your copy.