Most exciting new small SUV? Renault Duster 2025 Australian pricing confirmed, pledges genuine off-road ability above Toyota Corolla Cross, MG ZS, and Subaru Crosstrek

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The Dacia Duster budget compact SUV has been priced from a sharp $31,990 before on-road costs, with a limited launch offer of $34,990 driveaway for the entry-level Renault Duster Evolution 4×2 auto. 

The third-generation Duster will be the first Dacia model to reach Australian showrooms, available in 4×2 and 4×4 — or front and all-wheel drive — formats, with the rare choice of a manual transmission. 

Rebadged as a Renault Duster, the small SUV faces plenty of competition from keenly priced Chinese models such as the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, as well as well-known nameplates including the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen T-Roc.

The entry-level front-drive Duster Evolution uses a 113kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine tied to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. 

Duster Evolution models feature 17-inch alloy wheels, fixed roof rails, LED low-beam headlights, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen.

All Duster trims get ‘YouClip’ interior accessory mounts, which can be customised to hold torches, phones, and other odds and ends. 

The all-wheel drive Duster Evolution 4×4 is $4500 more, starting at $36,490 before on-road costs. 

It uses a lower output 1.2-litre 48-volt mild-hybrid turbo-petrol three-cylinder, delivering 96kW and 230Nm, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.  

Other fundamental upgrades include hill-descent control, terrain modes, a taller ride height, and multi-link rear suspension as an upgrade over the front driver’s torsion beam rear end.

Stepping up into the range topping Duster Techno adds front parking sensors, keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, 18-inch alloy wheels and modular roof rails.

The front-drive Duster Techno 4×2 auto starts at $36,990, while the range topping all-wheel drive Duster Techno 4×4 is $37,990. All models arrive in showrooms this month, with the exception of the Duster Techno 4×4, which will arrive in December. 

Renault claims the 4.3-metre-long Duster offers genuine off-road capability, based on its approach angle of more than 30 degrees, up to 212mm ground clearance, scratch-resistant body protection, and an Off-road mode delivering permanent four-wheel drive.

Renault Australia will be hoping the Duster can inspire improved sales of the brand’s SUVs in Australia, with the Clio-based Captur and midsized Koleos slow sellers in 2024. Renault’s local sales are mainly driven by its Master and Trafic commercial vans, though total sales were down more than 30 per cent last year.

The Renault-owned Romanian brand Dacia has been a huge success story in the UK and Europe, and its Sandero city car was the best-selling vehicle in Europe in 2024.

Local Renault distributor Ateco is known to have been studying business cases for several Dacia models, with the larger Bigster SUV a possible candidate if the company views it as a stronger competitor for the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 than the struggling Koleos.

Australia isn’t the first country to apply the Renault badge to the Duster, following multiple global markets that include India, South America, and South Africa.

2025 Renault Duster Pricing

Renault Duster Model	Price (before on-road costs)
Duster Evolution 4×2 auto	$31,990
Duster Evolution 4×4 manual	$36,490
Duster Techno 4×2 auto	$36,990
Duster Techno 4×4 manual	$37,990

Renault Duster Evolution standard equipment:

• Black and grey cloth upholstery
• Centre armrest with closed storage
• Rear air-conditioning vents
• Height and reach adjustable leather steering wheel
• Dual-zone air-conditioning with air purifier
• 7-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (with custom display options)
• AM/FM/DAB Radio
• Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Bluetooth phone pairing with audio streaming
• Arkamys classic sound system with six speakers
• One-touch auto-up and auto-down windows on all four doors
• USB-C charging ports (two front, two rear)
• 12 V power socket (one in front cabin, one in boot)
• YouClip accessory points: 1 x rear centre console, 2 x boot, 1 x inside of tailgate 
• Remote central locking
• Auto-door lock when driving
• Foldable ‘flick’ key
• Electric parking brake
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Dusk-sensing headlights
• LED lamps (low beam)
• Halogen lamps (high beam)
• Y-shaped daytime running lights
• Rear fog light
• Mirror indicator light
• 17-inch diamond-cut ‘Adventure’ alloy wheels
• Continental Cross Contact 215/65 R17 tyres
• Spare tyre (215/70 R16)
• Grey door mirrors
• Fixed roof rails

Renault Duster Techno adds the following equipment: 

• Black and grey premium cloth upholstery
• Rear privacy glass
• Blind spot warning
• Multi-view camera
• Front parking sensors
• Smart key card
• Automatic ‘walk away’ door locking and ‘approach’ unlocking
• Engine start button
• Automatic high/low beam
• Split-level boot floor (4×2 only)
• Additional YouClip accessory point: Dashboard, right of infotainment screen
• 18-inch diamond-cut ‘Exploration’ alloy wheels
• Continental Cross Contact 215/60 R18 tyres
• Modular roof rails