The Dacia Duster is a popular vehicle overseas thanks to its unique looks and rugged feel, aspects Renault Australia hopes will win over buyers considering other small SUVs.
“We see this bringing the younger audiences to the brand, people who have never driven a Renault before,” Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey told media at the local launch of the Duster, which wears Renault and not Dacia badging Down Under.
“That’s a bit of a push, to use one description, but it has a unique appeal, and we feel that it would appeal to a younger audience, and that’s something that we would certainly embrace.”
Priced from $31,990 before on-roads, the diminutive Renault Duster is coming to Australia to compete with the much-loved Suzuki Jimny, as well as the pricier, all-wheel drive Subaru Crosstrek – both small SUVs with some off-road credentials.
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There’s also the more road-focused Hyundai Kona, which is slightly more expensive than the Duster. Mr Sealey outlined that Renault is hoping to attract people who may have been considering any or all of these cars, with the Duster offering at least one unique characteristic.
Exceedingly uncommon for non-sports/performance cars is a manual transmission, but a six-speed unit is available across half of the Duster’s lineup.
Indeed, if you want a four-wheel drive Duster, you have to get a manual transmission. This is mated with a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder mild-hybrid.
“There’s a lot of good competitors in that segment; we hope to get a little bit from everyone, but we do offer something unique,” Mr Sealey said.
“We have a great look, we’re distinctive in the marketplace, we have great practicality, and then we have great capability, and those things will stand out. Now, ultimately, it’s going to be up to the buying public where we get considered.”
Above (L-R): Hyundai Kona, Suzuki Jimny, Renault Duster, and Subaru Crosstrek
Out of the Jimny, Crosstrek, and Kona, only the Suzuki is available with a manual gearbox. Even then, it’s only a five-speed unit, but the ladder-frame Jimny has the advantage of low-range gearing over the unibody Duster for more hardcore off-roading.
Love for the Jimny is evidenced by its status as Suzuki’s best-selling model by more than double so far this year, as well as the several owners’ clubs and events operating around Australia – including Suzuki Queensland’s fully fledged Jimniacs group.
When asked about whether Renault Australia would be interested in hosting dedicated Duster owners’ groups and events, Mr Sealey replied, “For sure, we would facilitate that, absolutely”.
“It’s interesting when you talk about Duster generally, because if you look at the UK, without having that strong 4×4 manual today, even on the older model, it had such a fanbase. If you go to South Africa, it’s a similar scenario, and we would hope to replicate that here.”