Seeing so many automakers releasing crossovers of so many different sets of characteristics turns very easy to think the competition on such a crowded market must be ferocious. However, the Renault Group’ best-selling vehicle during this year’s first semester resulted… a crossover. This article’s crossover, to be more specific; it is also offered as Renault Duster and, more recently, Nissan Terrano, but they’re all essentially the same model. Reading this article will show you what was done with the original Duster at its very first facelift.
Despite being not so bigger than most of the other compact crossovers, Duster never had them as direct rivals because there’s a deep conceptual difference from them. Examples like Ford EcoSport, Opel Mokka or Peugeot 2008 follow the current trend of combining cutting-edge technology and impressive levels of comfort to very modern and stylish designs. They’re entirely focused on urban environments, and even though bring options like AWD or off-road-like accessories, they end working as much more fashionable versions of small hatchbacks. Having that in mind, however, is what allows to conclude why the expectations for Dacia’s crossover couldn’t be the same.
The Romanian interpretation of a low-cost compact crossover became interesting because it decided to look back to the original concept of off-road cars. Duster brought a set of generous dimensions crafted with a complete lack of vanity and combined them to big ride height, nice powertrain options and AWD, but it didn’t stop there. Offering all of that using Logan’s modern spacious-but-cheap platform is what made Duster become one more successful member of that family. Renault still released Captur years later, but to compete with those mentioned crossovers. Duster ended creating a market niche of its own.
The Renault brother arrived with some differences and the Nissan brother with lots of them, but this is because they went to different countries, and therefore have to satisfy different needs. The original Duster now reaches its half-life facelift only with minor updates, without even any sheetmetal changes. The front grille was inspired on the Brazilian D-Cross concept. Such stylish design is followed by the internally-redesigned headlights, which had all the lights rearranged in order to include the daytime LEDs. Besides new 16” wheels, the sides preserved the old Sandero’s front doors but added a new roof rack. The rear received redesigned lights and chrome exhaust tip, and nothing else.
Expected to make its official debut at the upcoming Frankfurt show, Duster might get the same interior upgrades as the new Logan and Sandero’s, since they all still share the same platform. This means there will be more attractive design and a little more comfort items: the crossover will receive an infotainment central with all the functions seen in so many cars in nowadays. Besides, it’s interesting to notice these updates will only reach part of the European market: United Kingdom will stay with the old model because the left-hand-traffic Duster is produced in India.
