Renault Duster gets more powerful, more efficient hybrid option

A new hybrid powertrain has been confirmed for the Renault DusterSUV – a rival to the Suzuki Jimny and Subaru Crosstrek – in the UK, suggesting it could come to Australia.

The hybrid powertrain from the Dacia Bigster – a similarly styled, slightly longer SUV using the same underpinnings as the Duster – has been locked in for UK showrooms, with further details including pricing to be announced when order books open in November.

The Duster was launched in Australia in July 2025 – dropping its European Dacia branding for the more familiar Renault badge – as a cost-conscious small SUV to rival the hot-selling Jimny and popular Crosstrek.

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“At this stage the variants unveiled in Europe overnight are not available for Australia,” a Renault Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.

The Australian Duster lineup currently includes two petrol powertrains across two trim levels.

There’s a 113kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic on 4×2 models, and a 96kW/230Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder mild hybrid and six-speed manual that’s exclusive to 4×4 models.

The hybrid powertrain the Duster will inherit from the Bigster brings an 81kW/172Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors – one with 37kW, the other acting as a high-voltage starter/generator – for a total system output of 115kW.

There’s no clutch in the hybrid powertrain, meaning it sets off under electric power in the Bigster – using energy from its 1.4kWh battery – where it’s offered in front-wheel drive only and has a 9.7-second 0-100km/h claim.

In the UK, the hybrid carries a premium of around £3000 ($A6182) over other versions of the Bigster, suggesting a similar price gap for the Duster.

Official fuel economy in the Bigster is 62.8mpg (4.5L/100km), with Dacia UK saying the same powertrain in the Duster will offer a similar 4.6L/100km.

That easily betters the current 5.7L/100km in the Duster 4×4 sold here, which may improve after an update of the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid powertrain in the UK, too. 

It sees a lower 5.4L/100km fuel figure along with a power bump from the current 96kW to 104kW – but with the same 230Nm torque figure.

Renault Australia has confirmed six new or updated models will join the Duster in Australia from both the Renault and Dacia ranges over the next 24 months, but hasn’t confirmed which models are planned for local showrooms. 

The Dacia lineup in the UK – another right-hand drive market like Australia – offers six models, including the entry-level electric Spring small crossover SUV, as well as the Sandero small hatchback and Jogger wagon. These sit below the Duster and Bigster in the range.  MORE: Explore the Renault Duster showroom