2025 Renault Duster confirmed for Aus

The Dacia Duster has been confirmed for the Australian market and will enter local showrooms in the second half of the year, albeit badged as a Renault.

Pricing and finer specifications for the 2025 Renault Duster will be announced closer to its release, but Renault Australia has thus far confirmed two versions will be offered from launch, giving consumers the option of a front-drive automatic or a six-speed manual all-wheel-drive.

The former features a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (113kW/250Nm) paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the latter is a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbo-triple outputting 96kW/230Nm.

With up to 212mm of ground clearance and measuring 4345mm long, 1813mm wide and 1650mm tall, the Duster is considerably larger than the Suzuki Jimny XL it will inevitably be compared to, even though it doesn’t have a low-range transfer case, selectable 4x4 system or ladder-frame chassis.

That in turn makes it more of a rival for the Subaru Crosstrek and Jeep Compass – easily the two most-capable compact soft-roaders.

“Duster is right at home in a campground, as it is in the urban jungle,” Renault Australia managing director Glenn Sealey said.

“In a segment dominated by city and suburban SUVs, Renault Duster goes where others in the class fear to tread – thanks to its excellent clearance angles and intelligent off-road driving modes.”

Headline inclusions on the Duster will comprise a 7.0-inch digital driver display, a 10.1-inch infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, autonomous emergency braking, rearview or multi-view cameras, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance and blind spot warning.

The all-wheel-drive version meantime will also come with five drives modes and hill descent control.

Seven colours will be available to choose from with dealers now taking expressions of interest.