On the inside, there are a raft of changes, including an HVAC unit for the second row on the top variant of the 108 bhp diesel as well as shifting the window controls from the centre console to the door pads. There are splashes of chrome even here. While the colours are sombre, they aren't dull. For instance, you don't have to deal with beige, instead you get a creme coloured trim that doesn't look all that easy to soil. Overall trim material is excellent. The dash is a combination of the creme and black as the trim on the high-end RxZ trim, while it boasts of an audio unit that has USB and aux-in capability. Overall controls are of good quality, though some trim on top of the dash and the door pads itself isn't the best of quality. The dials do look quite neat, though you can't help but notice the similarity with its cousin, the Logan, the car on which it is based. 

The five-seat Duster is comfortable with good head room, knee room and leg room; the rear seat passengers only probably complaining of a little less under-thigh support.

Renault will offer three engines – a 1.6-litre, 103 bhp petrol and two power ratings for the 1.5-litre dCI – 84 bhp and 108 bhp. We managed to drive the 1.5 dCi, 108 bhp extensively while getting a brief impression of the 84 bhp. The former is available with a 6-speed manual and the first thing that strikes you is its refinement. Renault India have done some serious work on the NVH, not just with the motor which was first released on the Fluence just two months ago, but also with the car itself. Accelerate hard and there's not much by way of engine drone. Clatter too is well contained. But it's the performance that will put a big smile on your face. The Duster is quick off the blocks, quicker than even the more powerful Mahindra XUV5OO.

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