Five things you need to know about the 2019 Renault Duster facelift

The 2019 Renault Duster facelift has been launched in India today, July 8. This SUV has been a mainstay of Renault's line-up in India since 2012 and was its first major success in the Indian market.  Here's what new in this, its second facelift.

Exteriors

The facelifted Duster gets quite a few new bits on the outside. These include the new grille, with the chrome studs mimicking other Renault cars, a reworked headlamp cluster with projector beams, and a new, more bulging bonnet (for better crash protection). The front and rear bumpers are new as well with a dual tone finish. The bootlid also gets black plastic inserts, there's a new design for the 16-inch wheels, the roof rails are new too while LED taillamps have been slightly refreshed. Two new colour shades are available, the Caspian Blue in these pictures and Mahogany Brown.

Interiors

Many of the claimed 25 new features of the facelifted Duster also make it to the inside of the SUV. There's the reworked centre console with its wider AC vents, gloss-black inserts, slightly reworked instrument cluster and new steering wheel. Also new is the blue accented seats and instrument cluster, soft-touch dashboard, and the new 7.0-inch infotainment with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and Arkamys sound.

Engines

The facelifted Duster continues to be powered by the older car's BSIV engines. Consequently, the mechanicals options remain unchanged for now. The H4K 1.5-litre petrol motor makes 106PS and 142 Nm. This is paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. The diesel is again the same 1.5-litre unit found in other Renaults, available in two guises. The lower powered version makes 85PS and 200 Nm, paired with a five-speed manual. The higher output version makes 110PS and 245 Nm, a six-speed manual or an AMT can be specified with this. The top-end diesel manual can also be had with AWD.

Safety

The Duster's safety proposition is now quite enhanced. Changes have been made to the car's bonnet and other parts of the body and chassis for it to meet the upcoming BNCAP front, side and pedestrian crash norms. As required, mandatory safety equipment includes Antilock-Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), driver and passenger airbags, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminder and a speed alert. Higher spec cars also get a reverse parking camera, electronic stability program (ESP) and hill-start assist.

Prices

Prices for the facelifted Duster start at Rs 7.99 lakh for the base RxE petrol. The most expensive petrol Duster is the RxS Option Petrol CVT which comes in at Rs 9.99 lakh. The most cost-effective diesel is the RxE 85PS at Rs 9.29 lakh while the range tops out with the RXS Option 110PS AWD at Rs 12.49 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.