2017 Renault Duster

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Renault Duster

Renault’s Duster arrived as the honest-to-goodness SUV for South Africans who actually need to leave the N1 every now and then, without paying silly money. Price-wise, there’s a spread that genuinely speaks to the times—R109,900 to R549,900—but let’s be real: the heart of the action lives near the R199,925 median. Not a single new Duster out there, just a sea of used models, and if you ask me, that says plenty about Renault SA’s current priorities for the badge. You’ll find both petrol and diesel motors on offer, though the 1.5 dCi diesel holds the lion’s share, while the older, no-frills 1.6-litre petrol pops up if you’re shopping at the basement level. Transmission choices? Manual or dual-clutch auto—enough variety, at least on paper, for most buyers. Years range from 2013 to 2025 with mileage averaging 129,372 km, so you’ll want to check service histories with a magnifying glass. The 1.5 dCi Dynamique is everywhere you look, typically R119,950 to R169,950, and if you want a bit more kit, the Techroad trim nudges closer to R249,950. The real ace up the Duster’s sleeve? Those 4x4 dCi Dynamics, priced R123,500 to R189,995, give you proper off-road hardware at a price where most rivals quietly duck out. Anyone who’s tackled a rutted KZN farm track or the odd gravel pass knows the Duster isn’t just posturing. It shows up in the places that matter.