I booked the Renault Duster 110 PS RxL(opt) Diesel in December 2014 and got the delivery in January 2015. I have used the car for over a year now and done about 12, 000 km.
Appearance: One of the things that really attracts you to the Duster is its looks. It is macho looking and has an imposing road presence. The slightly bulged out wheel arches add to the look(be careful not to go bumping those arches.like I did). It is the looks that make you want to buy this car. The high ground clearance is visible right at the outset.
Interiors: Once you step into the car, you see a black and beige dashboard. The overall look and feel of the dashboard is not that of a luxury car. If you have moved from a mid segment sedan(I moved over from the 2006 Maruti Suzuki Baleno), the interiors feel a little cheap. The plastic is not the best of quality and the buttons seem to lack the right feel. However, you are not here for quality interiors, but for the ruggedness, right?
Ride Quality: Once you start the engine, you can hear the diesel engine rev to life. The noise reduction is not bad. The engine is peppy. Moving from a 1.6 petrol to a 1.5 diesel takes a bit of getting used to. The 110 PS helps, though. The sales person smartly made me ride the 85 PS first and then the 110 PS, so that I could feel the peppiness of the engine. The thing that really wins you over is the ride quality. It is excellent. The car can take virtually any road that you give to it. Handling is a dream. You can handle it as easily as you can handle, say a WagonR. A tight turning radius for the size and it gives you a great car-like drive. If you have come from driving sedans, the clutch will seem slightly stiff, but something that you learn to live with and even appreciate.
Performance - 12000 km. No major concerns. The hazard light button developed a loose contact and had to be fixed during the servicing. The average mileage was 16.3 kmpl. This is a mix of highway and city driving. On highways, obviously the mileage is higher. Climbing hills is not a task. You can do it without too much down shifting.
Service: Regular service does not seem to be a problem. However, the service centre close to where I stay did not have a body shop. They asked me to take the car to another service center around 25 km away. The first free service did not cost a thing. The second free service was about INR 6k. If you cave to the service manager, he will charge you close to 10k with 3M polish and all the bells and whistles.
All in all an impressive package for the price.
Positives: Ride Quality, Handling, Ground Clearance
Negatives: Plasticky and cheap looking dashboard