Renault Duster car (diesel): owner reviews, all the pros and cons

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Renault Duster is the brainchild of the French automobile concern, a solid SUV with the price of a budget sedan. This is already a guarantee of popularity, but it is also distinguished by a bright design, and good technical characteristics, and indestructibility on domestic off-road.

Off-road equipment

French Renault Duster 2011-2015 release was maximally adapted to Russian climatic conditions. All technical fluids and devices can operate at low temperatures, a five-liter tank is installed in the washer fluid, there is also a larger battery of 70Ah and a high-power generator, the windshield cleaning area has been increased, special modes of interior heating are applied and the system settings have changed injection. And, importantly for an SUV, the bottom is protected by a powerful steel sheet.

The Duster is available in mono- and all-wheel drive versions, with three powertrain options, with manual or automatic transmissions.

1, 6 and 2.0 liter petrol engines with 102 and 135 hp. With. differ quite decent dynamic characteristics - 13, 5 and10.4 seconds to hundreds of km/h. They also have high fuel consumption - 7/11 and 6.5/10.3 liters per 100 km, respectively.

Later, a 90-hp diesel engine appeared on the Duster car. With. and a volume of 1.5 liters, much more economical, but far behind in dynamics. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in over 15 seconds.

For Russians, the SUV comes in four trim levels. The diesel engine is installed on Expression and Privilege vehicles. In these trim levels for Renault Duster (diesel), the price is 650 thousand rubles. and 705 thousand rubles. without additional equipment.

Expression includes driver's airbag and ABS, power steering, Bluetooth audio system, power front windows, central locking and remote control, height adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat.

The Privilege package also includes heated and electrically adjustable rear-view mirrors, heated front seats, air conditioning and an on-board computer.

They are also slightly different in appearance. In "Expression" roof rails, door handles and mirrors are black, chrome-plated only trim on the radiator grille. The Privilege package also has chrome-plated roof rails, and lining for the exhaust pipe and for the lower parts of the bumpers. Handles and mirrors painted in body color.

Advantages of diesel engines

European car manufacturers are increasingly installing diesel powertrains. Especially often they are used on crossovers and SUVs.

Diesel engines have a number of significant advantages over gasoline engines, the main of which are efficiency and high torque.

Modern engines of this type consume almost a third less fuel than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel fuel is also cheaper than gasoline.

And one more indisputable advantage of such a unit, especially in the conditions of combating harmful emissions, is the low level of carbon dioxide formation.

A significant drawback, at least for the Russian buyer, is the higher price of the car. For example, for Renault Duster-diesel the price is 65 thousand rubles higher than for gasoline in the same basic configuration.

In addition, these engines require more frequent maintenance. In any case, in Russia the requirements are as follows. After all, diesel fuel contains more impurities that clog fuel filters.

Domestic fuel is lower in quality than European, so the cost of fuel must take into account special additives that do not allow it to freeze at low temperatures, or refuel the car only with high-quality fuel.

Diesel power plant

Renault Duster, like other twelve Renault models, was equipped with a K9K 1.5 dCi engine. This powertrain has been known for its endurance, economy and reliability for over a decade.

Four-cylinder engine with 8 valves and a timing belt drive, with a modern Common Rail power system. It is economical, the manufacturer declared fuel consumption on the highway 5.0 l, in the city - 5.9 l, incombined cycle - 5, 3 l.

Even at low speeds - 1750 rpm - the engine produces a large torque of 200 Nm.

Maximum torque - 4000 rpm, power - 90 HP. s.

Only 6-speed manual transmission is used, automatic is not installed on the all-wheel drive version of the Renault Duster (diesel).

Technical characteristics of "Renault Duster"

The all-wheel drive version of the car has a higher ground clearance - 210 mm, but a smaller trunk volume - 408 /1570 liters than its two-wheel drive counterpart.

Overall dimensions (L × W × H) - 4.3 × 1.8 × 1.7 m. Curb weight - a little more than 1.3 tons, gross weight - 1.8 tons.

In a six-speed gearbox, the first is used for heavy off-road conditions as a lower one. That is, when traveling on clean and dry pavement, you need to get under way immediately from second gear.

All-wheel drive "Renault Duster" can operate in three modes.

In the first of these, the torque is transmitted to the front wheels. In this mode (2WD), you can accelerate to maximum speed with low fuel consumption.

When the front wheels spin, 50% of the torque is automatically transferred to the rear axle. This is AUTO mode.

In the LOCK mode, the electromagnetic clutch is rigidly blocked, both axes rotate. This off-road mode consumes the maximum amount of fuel, and the speed must not exceed 80 km / h, otherwise the transmission will overheat so much that the clutch may come out.building.

Diesel sales issues

Yes, despite the many advantages of the Renault Duster 1.5 all-wheel drive SUV (diesel), Russian drivers were reluctant to buy it.

The expectation that the version of the crossover, which is equipped with a heavy-fuel engine, which has good traction at low speeds with low fuel consumption, will be more in demand than modifications with weaker or more voracious stronger gasoline engines, did not materialize.

At first glance you can see the difference in price, but is this the only reason? After all, the manufacturer claims a very low fuel consumption. With a large number of trips, a diesel crossover should quickly pay for itself.

Diesel test

"Duster" was just asking for a test drive, which would either confirm the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, or disprove them.

Off-road vehicle - cross-country vehicle. And they buy it mainly to combine both city trips and off-road overcoming.

According to reviews, Renault 2011 behaves well on unpaved and country roads, crawling up grassy hills with some effort. The reserve of ground clearance is not enough for all the ruts and potholes of a bad road, but the protected bottom makes this problem less acute. Short overhangs and well-designed bumpers allow it to tackle steep climbs and descents.

Renault Duster owners have had occasion to drive through the streets of large and small cities, through puddles that smoothly turn intoswamp, on the tracks. And they determined what the main advantage of an SUV on difficult roads is. It's that he doesn't feel sorry for him at all.

Firstly, a fairly simple Renault Duster (diesel) car, the equipment of which does not suffer from electronic excesses, and the bottom is reliably protected, it is difficult to break, pierce or tear off anything you need on the go.

Secondly, it doesn't cost too much, it's quite possible to try to force a puddle or climb a hill, bypassing the road, which will cause some mental anguish in relation to a car worth well over a million rubles.

Renault Duster (diesel) off-road

According to drivers, "Renault" is the worst off-road sections with liquid mud. In any case, you cannot stop in the middle of a large puddle. "Duster" slips in it even in LOCK mode. You can leave only by rocking the car back and forth more than a meter.

Off-road driving confirms that the engine's traction is lacking, with advertised torque appearing at revs well above 1750. Some drivers say 2000 and some even 2500 rpm. This was perhaps the only significant advantage of a diesel engine over a two-liter gasoline, if you do not take into account fuel economy. Even in the most difficult off-road conditions, when driving for a long time in low and first gears in all-wheel drive, fuel consumption is no more than 9 liters per hundred kilometers.

Renault Duster (diesel) on city streets

Due to lack of first gear, lack of traction, pooracceleration dynamics on city streets with their traffic lights and the need to rebuild from lane to lane, driving a diesel Duster is uncomfortable to say the least. Fuel consumption is up to 8 liters per 100 km.

In the general flow, an SUV can only move from fourth gear. These shortcomings are emphasized in the Renault Duster Diesel owner reviews.

All the disadvantages of a low-power engine appear in the ragged rhythm of life in a metropolis, but almost completely disappear in the smooth flow of life in a deep province.

No need to start and accelerate sharply, jump from lane to lane, rush and overtake. It is enough to move calmly in the right extreme lane, saving fuel and your own nerve cells.

Renault Duster (diesel) on the highway

In high gears on the track, the SUV calmly overcomes potholes at cruising speeds up to 110 km / h, without leaving the trajectory and without roaring. It will take a long time to accelerate to the maximum, and it is not worth it. At high speeds, the operation of the engine is accompanied by a strong noise, merging with noise from tires and headwind. In addition, before each turn, the pace will still have to be reset due to strong roll and insufficient steering sensitivity.

The advantage of driving at the same speed is tangible fuel savings. Fuel consumption, according to reviews, does not rise above 5.4 liters per 100 km.

Renault Duster (diesel) in winter

Specialists say that Renault Duster with a diesel engine even in the first versionfully adapted to the conditions of severe Russian winters. The manufacturer announced the minimum temperature at which the engine still starts - this is minus 25 ° C for Russia. For Europe, it is five degrees higher.

The adapted engine (diesel) "Duster" smokes a little until it warms up, because an enriched mixture is supplied from the start, so that the engine is guaranteed to start at low temperatures. It does not burn out completely, hence the smoke, which disappears after a few minutes of engine operation. This phenomenon is the result of tuning the on-board electronics. Someone does not pay attention to the exhaust, someone changes the settings.

The electronics does not allow the heater to be turned on until the glow plugs are activated, which consume up to 80 A in the engine start mode.

In motion, the interior warms up very quickly. At maximum air temperature and fan speed, it just gets hot. Even if we take into account that such an assessment is subjective, then this is a positive moment in the operation of an SUV in conditions when it is cold for more than six months.

As for trips in winter, the car keeps quite confidently in the snow, it does not slip, at least until it falls into the snow to the very hubs.

With front-wheel drive, it is capable of climbing a snow parapet piled up during street cleaning.

On virgin soil, with all-wheel drive connected, it breaks through the snow, clings to hard ground and is able to createSo, and this is confirmed by the majority of Renault Duster (diesel) owner reviews, all the disadvantages of winter trips concern only the starting warm-up of the cabin.

Although opinions differ greatly on this issue, because the concepts of "hot" and "cold" are quite individual, and the climatic conditions of the vast country have significant differences.

Renault Duster (diesel) 109

Reviews from drivers did their job, and in 2015 a more powerful diesel engine appeared in the line of Duster power units.

Applying some innovations, the specialists of the automobile company retained the engine size and geometry, but increased the power to 109 hp. With. At the same time, the average fuel consumption for trips around the city even decreased slightly.

The new engine meets the EURO 5 standard for cleaning emissions from harmful substances. And the maximum torque at the same 1750 rpm is already 240 N.

The new Renault Duster (diesel) should feel better in winter. And it differs from its European counterparts in glow plugs with different characteristics and a modified injection system, a new radiator and additional heaters that allow the interior to warm up earlier than the engine.

Features of the new diesel engine

Since 2015, not only all-wheel drive models, but also Expression in 4x2 modification have been equipped with a diesel engine. So far, only with the old six-speed gearbox.

True, experienced drivers believe that dieselSUV automatic transmission will only interfere with frequent off-road trips.

Cars accelerate to 100 km in 12.5 seconds and have a top speed of 166 km/h.

They have become even more economical in terms of fuel consumption, the noise level has decreased. Drivers write that you can even talk in the cabin without shouting over a running engine, but only up to a speed of 130 km/h.

Diesel "Renault" has become easier to manage on city streets, more stable to work at low speeds.

Still performs well on snowy roads and in LOCK mode it handles small drifts fairly easily.

It can hardly be called a drawback the exactingness of the new engine to the composition of the fuel. One Duster nozzle (diesel) costs $250, and low-quality diesel fuel immediately leads to the failure of these particular elements.

It is too early to discuss the actual engine life, but experts say that at least 300 thousand km, of course, with timely maintenance and the use of high-quality consumables and fuel.

Renault Duster prices range from 845 thousand rubles for the Expression version to 950 thousand rubles. for Luxe Privilege with a lot of security features, fog lights, heated windshield and tinted rear windows, cruise control, leather interior and many other useful and pleasant little things. The gap in the cost of diesel and gasoline cars remains, but since the new diesel has become even more economical, it can pay off even faster.

Owner Reviews

New"Duster" (diesel), according to reviews, has really become more mobile in urban mode, accelerates easier and goes to overtake on the highway.

As for fuel consumption, in the city it "eats" a little more than 7 liters of fuel per 100 km, on the highway without cargo and at low speeds up to 110 km / h - 6.5 liters, with passengers and luggage on speed of 150 km/h – 8 l.

Experienced drivers believe that it is not worth accelerating to speeds above 130 km/h on the new Duster. Another 10 km / h more, and the car loses stability. Further, the driver is already required to limit concentration behind the wheel.

Owners noticed that on the track, after accelerating to cruising speed, you can shift to sixth gear, at 2000 rpm the engine does not roar, the gearbox works almost like an automatic one.

Particularly picky have determined that the most economical mode on the track is fifth gear, 2500 rpm, speed of 80 km/h. But who will drive a car with good off-road qualities at such and such a speed?

In general, on the updated Renault Duster SUV (diesel), the reviews of the owners attribute all the minuses to the interior of the car. And it does not affect the operation of the power unit.

Today, the new "Renault Duster" - 2015. - became one of the most popular crossovers in Russia. It is reliable, retained all the advantages of the previous version, the shortcomings have become less, because the work on the bugs has been done noticeably. Combination of serious off-road qualities and budget priceeliminates modest interior design and a small set of basic features.

So, regarding the Renault Duster car (diesel), the owners' reviews cannot yet accurately describe all the minuses and pluses due to the short life of the car, nevertheless it is more in demand than the previous version with a less powerful engine.