Renault Duster 2025 Review

Given the segment the 2025 Duster competes in, Renault considered bringing the new model in with a greater profit margin. But instead, the French manufacturer decided to offer the small SUV at a price similarly compelling price to that which has won it such a strong following overseas.

As a result, even the range-topping Techno with 4x4 is priced at a very reasonable $37,990 before on-road costs. Picking the same spec with front wheel drive saves a grand. Below that, the Evolution is available with the same two drivetrain choices priced at $36,490 and $31,990. The latter is on offer for just $34,990 driveaway.

A bargain, but there’s a small twist. The cheapest 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and if you want the 4x4, you have no choice but to get it paired with a 1.2-litre turbo, three-cylinder mild hybrid driving via a six-speed manual. Yep, no auto transmission on offer.

The good news is that both drivetrains have their positive attributes. The bad news? Choosing one over the other is a very difficult decision. Read on and we’ll explain why.

There are a heap of accessories to customise your Duster such as roof-top tent and other accessories which integrate particularly easily with the modular rack fitted to the Techno. Special paint colours (anything other than white) add $750.

Capped-price servicing is available costing a very reasonable $2100 for the 1.2 or $50 more for the 1.3 over five years.

Pay-as-you-go scheduled maintenance is a bit more expensive costing $2475 and $2685 respectively. The 30,000km service intervals are very long or a more standard 12 months, depending on which one arrives first.

Given its price and positioning, the Duster doesn’t exactly have masses of rivals. But the key one is a bit of a legend in the form of the Suzuki Jimny XL.

For 15 years and two generations, the Duster has been winning fans all over the world with a go-anywhere sense of adventure, cheeky design and bargain price. And now Australia finally gets to join in the fun with the third generation and, thankfully, the formula hasn’t changed.

The design has grown more handsome but it’s still unpretentious and likeable, while the overall effect has held on to a utilitarian adventurous aesthetic.

On the inside, there’s plenty of space relative to its diminutive exterior size (4.3m long and 1.9m wide), and both interiors (Evolution and Techno) have a likeable no-nonsense feel. They’re not exactly luxurious, but you shouldn’t expect premium cabins on economy-class cash.

There is a reversing camera, but its resolution and image consistency are circa early 2000s. The digital tachometer is hard to find and appears to lie about its actual redline.

But beyond that, the 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1 central touchscreen are sharp and smart. They also don’t look as small as they sound - once again, tying in well with the overall small proportions.

Wireless charging, digital radio, smartphone mirroring for both Android and Apple, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the grade, dual zone air conditioning and a proper spare wheel are all part of the deal.

Equipment highlights for the Techno include nicer interior materials, keyless entry and start with automatic lock/unlock and tinted glass in the rear windows. Boosting practicality and high priority selling points even further, the Duster has up to 472L of boot space (1.2L 4x2), or as much as 1564L with the rear seats folded (4x4 gets 358L/1424L). That’s huge for a car of this size.

With 212mm of ground clearance and a well-calibrated on-demand all-wheel drive system, the 1.2-litre 4x4 has some pretty respectable all-terrain manners.

We even had a steer of a version fitted with BF Goodrich KO3 tyres which are not an expensive upgrade at about $500. With its hybrid system ticking over at low speed, combined with a low kerb weight and a stiff chassis and shell, the Duster 4x4 felt quite unstoppable.

On the road, it’s the 1.3-litre with front-wheel drive that’s the star. It’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is fast and snappy and delivers respectable performance. It’s also a hoot to throw around corners with a bantamweight kerb mass of just 1309kg (Evolution).

Its steering is light but sensitive in the right way and it offers a surprisingly good ride quality, while the springs and dampers feel as though genuine consideration was given to Australian conditions when they were being selected and tuned.

We couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed at the performance of the 4x4, which had promised to be a purist’s gem pairing the manual gearbox with off-road credentials.

While it does provide excellent all-terrain ability, the on-road performance really lets it down. A paltry 96kW is as meager in practice as it sounds on paper and the effect of the mild hybrid is difficult to detect. Meaningful torque is as hard to muster as the power and it's little wonder Renault doesn't really talk about Duster acceleration figures.

This probably won’t bother the enthusiasts too much if the Suzuki Jimny’s popularity is anything to go by, but it will deter a few.

It’s also the most expensive to refuel asking for 95 RON fuel as a minimum compared with the 1.3L which can sip 91. However, it is said to be more frugal than the 1.3L so it might all work out at the pump.

There are a couple of reminders that the Duster is a budget car in ways you might find less easy to excuse, such as an actual ignition key for the Evolution, antique looking halogen high-beam headlights, liberal use of some pretty cheap feeling plastics and no option to add luxo touches such as a sunroof or leather.

Safety levels are generally good for a car in this class but blind spot monitoring, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera and automatic high-beam headlights are not standard and only offered if you hop up to the Techno grade. Neither car gets adaptive cruise control.

It will be interesting to see what the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) thinks about all that if the Duster is put under the spotlight. At the time of writing it was untested.

Forebodingly EuroNCAP – which is basically aligned with ANCAP - awarded the Dacia Duster only three stars in 2024.

Finally, if you’re keen to put an example of the Techno 4x4 ‘flagship’ on your driveway be prepared to wait as it won’t be here until December 2025.

While Renault Australia isn’t saying exactly how many Dusters will be coming to Australia in the first shipment, it’s not expected to be many and a sell-out is likely.

More Dusters are on the way for the start of 2026.

In just four key variants, the Renault Duster offers many distinct personalities and a deeply intriguing small SUV with an all-terrain focus. It has something for a broad range of owners looking for a car that’s different, affordable and compromises little in return.

Unfortunately there’s not one variant or drivetrain that’s the standout champion - perhaps Renault want it that way.

If you want to fully exploit the Duster off-road, the 4x4 is the one to have but it’s less at home on the road. And while the very mild hybrid system makes it the most efficient, we’d prefer it to add a bit more grunt.

The front wheel drive has the most muscular and enjoyable drivetrain and it’s a shame it won’t be available for the 4x4 and with an automatic transmission as we’re sure it would shine off-road.

But it loves the open road offering decent performance and the ease-of-use that Australians will gravitate toward.

If we had to pick, therefore, it would be the 1.3-litre thanks to its more versatile skillset. It’s fun and nimble on the blacktop, even has some reasonable off-road capability and offers the most attractive price.

Regardless of which version you choose, the Duster is a charming adventure machine with personality and value-for-money.

It offers a refreshing antidote to Australia’s vast carpark of ever-swelling SUVs, while giving the (until now, largely unchallenged) Suzuki Jimny something to worry about.

2025 Renault Duster 4x2 at a glance:
Price: $31,990 plus on-road costs
Available: Now
Engine: 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 113kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km
Safety rating: Not tested

2025 Renault Duster 4x4 at a glance:
Price: $36,490 plus on-road costs
Available: now (Techno December 2025)
Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol mild hybrid
Output: 96kW/230Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 5.7L/100km
Safety rating: Not tested

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