Duster is cute and capable

The Duster goes eyeball to eyeball with the six-model Ford EcoSport and the six-model Kia Soul, although the French carmaker holds a strong ace - a 4WD option.

The four-model Duster is available in four variants, two 1.6-litre petrol models and two 1.5 turbo-diesels priced from R215,900 to R272,900. The Ford Ecosport's prices range from R217,900 to R274,900, while the six-model Kia Soul range is priced from R270,995 to R375,995.

I have driven all the models in the Duster fleet and at the introduction of the range to the local market I was particularly knocked out by the 4x4 model's feisty off-road performance and clambering ability in the rough stuff.

On the smooth black top all the Duster models dish up a surprising smooth ride, good handling and spirited performance, neatly balanced with practicality, comfort and fuel economy.

An unsurprising success

The Duster range was facelifted late in 2015 and now boasts even more frugal fuel usage of only 4.8l/100km for the 1.5-litre Dynamique which was my pick of the crop at launch and it still is after I recently spent a week at the helm around the Western Cape.

My time at the wheel was mostly short-hop shopping expeditions and stints in commuter traffic and included no real open road driving, so my 6.9l/100km was impressive, but understandably slightly heavier than the new claimed figure.

It comes as no surprise though that this model is the biggest seller in the Duster stable representing 43% of the range sales, even though its wears a price tag of R254,900, which makes it the second-most expensive choice of the range.

Other than the Duster, Renault also has the Captura cross-over/SUV and the bigger Koleos SUV cum MPV on the local market but it was the Duster which came tops in the important court of public opinion. And quite deservedly so, because there is very little not to like about it.

A few critics have found some of the cabin finishes a tad bargain basement but it didn't bother me at all. I rather liked the rather austere black with silver trim dashboard which has virtually become the make-up mode for the living quarters of the majority of modern vehicles.

In the make-over the Duster acquired a new, slimmer silver and black slit grille, body-colour matching side mirrors, silver roof rails which go well with the 16-inch alloys and rear parking sensors.

A pleasing all-rounder

The boot space is very good and only on one occasion (when I had to load eight large plastic crates into the back) was it necessary to fold the rear seats flat to increase the packing space. (And yes, with the back seats folded flat it does turn the front passenger leg room into space suitable only for garden gnomes).

The 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine churns out a peppy 80kW/200Nm, transmitted to the road via a smooth, relatively short-throw six-speed, a well-matched combination good enough for a top speed of 169km/h.

On the road the Duster gallops along comfortably and remains quite steady, even when being pushed through the corners. The steering set-up is firm enough for sporty handling but yet light enough to make town parking a doddle. The cabin also offers good, all round views.

The Renault is a very pleasing all-rounder and already a popular mummy's school run taxi, budget family hauler and daily commuter and having also been selected one of the finalists in the 2015 Car of the Year competition it is destined to tighten its grip even further on this toughly contested market segment.

All the Duster models come with a price-inclusive three-year/45,000 maintenance plan and a five-year/150km warranty.