BMW 128TI vs Renault Duster

What's the difference?

It might not be rear-wheel drive, but the 128ti is a thoroughly enjoyable BMW to steer, proving the 'f' in front-wheel drive can stand for fun. It’s a very good hot hatch.

And given how expensive mainstream hot hatches have become, the 128ti is a bargain, giving would-be Golf GTI, Focus ST and i30 N buyers a thing or two to think about.

After all, the 128ti is a premium hot hatch by virtue of the BMW badges it wears and the higher quality of its parts, but not its price. And for that reason, it cannot be ignored.

The Renault Duster looks set to put the French carmaker back on the map here in Australia.

While there will likely be general appeal thanks to its cool looks, it holds special appeal for us off-road enthusiasts as a new, cost-affective option that’s filled to the brim with character and charisma.

While it may not be perfect, it also doesn’t matter. In fact, this makes me like the Duster even more.

The manual AWD feels like the purest and most correct way to experience the Duster as it’s so smile-inducing. However, this isn’t to discredit the automatic FWD version as it’s arguably more liveable day-to-day.

Pick your poison. You’re bound to love it no matter which way you go.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

You can count me among those who aren't fans of the 1 Series' version of BMW’s 'kidney' grille. It’s not just out of proportion, but arguably, misplaced.

In fact, it just spoils the front end, although I'm also not a fan of the bumper's 'smiling' centre air intake.

But, thankfully, that’s where my unfavourable opinion ends, as the angular headlights and hexagonal DRLs look the part, while the 128ti's red-trimmed side air intakes bring a sense of occasion.

And you better be a big fan of red trim, as the 128ti liberally applies it around the side, where the brake calipers have some presence behind the attractive 18-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels. And don’t forget the side skirt insert and 'ti' decal!

At the rear, aside from the obligatory '128ti' badge and the relatively subtle red-trimmed side air intakes, there isn’t much to separate the 128ti from a garden variety 1 Series, but that’s no bad thing as it's its best angle.

The sporty rear spoiler, sleek tail-lights, stupendous diffuser insert and scintillating dual exhaust tailpipes are gorgeous. And the 128ti is attractive in profile, thanks to its appealing silhouette and smoothly sculpted lines.

Inside, the 128ti stands out from the 1 Series crowd with the red stitching applied to the steering wheel, seats, armrests and dashboard, while the floor mats have – you guessed it – red piping.

The most interesting design flourish, though, is the red-stitched ti logo on the centre armrest. That's one way to make a statement, and it all combines to make the 128ti feel special.

And being a 1 Series is a leg-up in the first place, as high-quality materials are used throughout, in concert with a simple but effective design.

Mercifully, the centre stack features physical climate and audio controls, while the centre console has an appropriately sized gear selector and a rotary dial to control the multimedia system.

That's right, the 128ti has multiple input methods aside from the 10.25-inch central touchscreen and voice control, making it a relative breeze to operate, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support of the wireless variety.

That said, there's plenty of room for improvement for the 128ti's 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which lacks the breadth of functionality of its competitors.

When you see a Renault Duster parked up or on the road, you’ll instantly be able to tell what it is.

This small SUV is essentially a rebadged Dacia for international markets and the design changes are minimal.

The most noticeable departure is the front grille has ‘Renault’ badging written out instead of a Dacia badge. It’s a departure from any other current Renault model on offer locally and gives the car a tough, unique presence.

There are also Y-shaped LED daytime running lights that look cool and modern.

Depending on the Duster version you opt for, the lower section of the front bumper looks different. All-wheel drive (AWD) versions sit higher to improve the approach angle and ground clearance.

Around the side there’s plenty of plastic cladding to drive home that this is a tough all-terrain machine and not your everyday crossover. I prefer it to the glossy and chrome accents on rival SUVs as it's no-nonsense.

The black body cladding around the wheel arches and along the door sills is recycled and has a fleck throughout it. There’s also a recycled icon near the side mirrors which is a touch too on the nose for my liking.

Towards the rear there are angular haunches that make the Duster look tough, as well as hidden rear door handles on the C-pillar.

At the back there are even more angles that make the Duster stand out. The most obvious is the triangular tail-lights which look funky and cool.

There’s little else to note about the rear design besides a subtle Renault badge and Duster written out on the bottom of the tailgate. I appreciate how clean the rear is because some carmakers can go over the top with badging.

Inside, the Duster defies its budget roots with a high-tech and modern-presenting design. The Y-shaped air vents continue the motif from the headlights, while the 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system is mounted prominently on the dash and is smartly tilted towards the driver.

After spending some time behind the wheel, however, you start to notice a lot of the Duster’s finishes inside are hard, scratchy plastics. It’s most noticeable on the dashboard.

Depending on which version you opt for, the door armrests are also finished in hard plastic. The top-spec Techno gets a softer padding on top, however.

While there is a lot of hard plastics, it’s nowhere near as noticeable as a Suzuki Jimny.

Measuring 4319mm long (with a 2670mm wheelbase), 1799mm wide and 1434mm tall, the 128ti is a small hatchback in every sense of the term, but it makes the most of its size.

The boot's cargo capacity is competitive, at 380L, although it can be increased to a more accommodating 1200L by stowing the 60/40 split-fold rear bench.

Either way, there's a decent load lip to contend with, but four tie-down points, two bag hooks and a side storage net are on hand for securing loose items.

In the second row, there's a welcome four centimetres of legroom behind my 184cm driving position as well as a centimetre or two of headroom, even with our test car’s optional panoramic sunroof.

Three adults can sit on the rear seats on short journeys, but they will have next-to-no shoulder-room, plus a large central tunnel (necessary for AWD 1 Series variants) to deal with.

Young children are accommodated, though, with two ISOFIX and three top-tether anchorage points available for fitting child seats.

Amenities-wise, those in the back have access to the storage nets on the front seat backrests, clothes hooks, the centre console's directional air vents and two USB-C ports.

The door bins can take a regular bottle each, but there isn't a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Up front, the glove box is surprisingly large, while the driver-side cubby is not only decently sized, but two-tiered. The central storage bin is also solid, and has a USB-C port hidden inside.

Ahead of that are a 12V power outlet, a pair of cupholders, a USB-A port and a narrow, open cubby that should house a wireless smartphone charger (but doesn't). And yes, the door bins are ready to swallow a regular bottle apiece. So, pretty damn good overall.

In terms of practicality, this is one small SUV that punches above its weight.

Up front both the seats are manually adjustable, which is expected at this price point. There’s nothing wrong with this as they still allow you to find your desired seating position.

The entry-level Evolution comes with cloth upholstery which feels nice to touch and allows for decent breathability, whereas the top-spec Techno has a premium textile that almost feels like neoprene (wetsuit material). I’m thankful there’s no leather upholstery option in this car because it wouldn’t suit its character.

Ahead of the driver is a leather-wrapped steering wheel which feels more premium than you’d expect. It feels lovely in the hand and is complimented by the squared-off shape.

Another reason why I like this steering wheel is it offers a generous amount of tilt and reach adjustment. This means people of all different sizes and statures will be able to find a comfortable driving position.

There’s a nice smattering of physical buttons on the steering wheel for critical things like the cruise control and changing the content on the digital instrument cluster, though if you want to change the volume or track, you need to interact with the stubby stalk behind the steering wheel.

This is a classic Renault quirk that’s been in a number of its cars for years. It takes a bit to get your head around, but once you do it’s second nature.

Behind the steering wheel is a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster which looks a little small in its housing. Clear analogue dials for the rev counter and speedometer would have been better and likely more timeless.

As standard, however, there’s a big digital speedometer readout that’s easy to read, as well as a few layout styles and informative pages to cycle through.

I wish the digital rev counter was featured on more of the page layouts and it also had more numbers denoting the rev counter markings, rather than simple lines. This is particularly annoying in the manual.

Moving across, the 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system is clear and bright. It also helps that the native interface is simple and easy to navigate.

There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the line-up which is fantastic to see and almost expected now. Complimenting this is a standard wireless phone charger at the base of the centre tunnel.

Additionally, if you opt for the Techno, you get a phone mount on the dashboard. I still haven’t decided whether this is helpful or not given there’s already wireless phone mirroring and the phone mount doesn’t provide charge as standard.

Unlike many newer cars, the Duster retains plenty of physical switchgear up front so key functions like the dual-zone climate control and drive modes.

In terms of storage up front there are two cupholders, a handy shelf for stowing things above the wireless charger, a big centre console box, as well as a deep glove box.

Moving to the second row there’s plenty of headroom, though legroom is minimal for adults above (183cm) six feet. You have to remember this is a small SUV so it’s actually not too bad.

The second-row bench seat is laid back, allowing you to get comfortable on longer drives. Two adults can easily fit back there, though pushing it to three would make it squishy.

Second-row amenities include air vents and two USB-C ports. There’s also a special connector on the back of the centre console which allows you to fit a wide range of optional 'YouClip' accessories. These include a cupholder, light or hook.

In the same vein, you can also add a phone or tablet holder to the back of the front-seat headrest. The configurability is to your heart’s content.

A downside of the second row, however, is there’s no fold-down centre armrest. This also means there are no rear cupholders as standard, which is disappointing.

At the back the entire Duster line-up has a manual tailgate, which is fine for the price point.

The boot space itself is decent as there’s no load lip, but if you’re wanting a larger space overall, it’s best to opt for the front-wheel drive (FWD) versions as they have 472L with the rear seats upright. AWD versions, on the other hand, have 358L with the rear seats up.

The Techno 4x2 in particular has a two-tier floor which allows you to stow things underneath the main boot floor, or you can create a partition to stop things moving around.

Boot-related amenities include a light, hooks and a 12V socket. There are also extra YouClip points, including one on the tailgate. This allows you to add extra lights or hooks.

As standard, all Duster variants get a full-size spare wheel, which is fantastic given this type of vehicle may be spending a lot of time out on the open road.

In Australia the 2026 Renault Duster is being offered in two trim levels with two powertrain options.

Pricing starts at $31,990, before on-road costs, for the Duster Evolution 4x2 automatic and extends to $37,990, before on-roads, for the Duster Techno 4x4 manual.

This is competitive pricing for the small SUV segment, especially when you consider the rugged and considerably smaller Suzuki Jimny costs similar.

As standard the Duster Evolution comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, an electric park brake, as well as black and grey cloth upholstery.

Stepping up to the Techno gets you larger 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, privacy glass, modular roof rails, keyless entry and walk-away locking, push-button start, a smartphone holder, as well as black and grey premium textile upholstery.

While the entire Duster line-up has LED low-beam headlights, the high-beams are only halogen, which is a disappointing cost-cutting move.

Despite this, there’s still plenty of standard equipment, even from the base Evolution trim.

If that’s not enough, however, you can further personalise your Duster with a wide range of optional accessories. There are clip-on cupholders, lights, hooks and tablet holders inside, as well as Rhino Rack and Thule accessories outside.

The 128ti is motivated by a familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, with its version producing a promising 180kW of power at 6500rpm and 380Nm of torque from 1500-4400rpm.

Disappointingly, Australian examples are detuned relative to their European counterparts, which are 15kW/20Nm more potent due to their market-specific set-up.

Either way, drive is sent to the front wheels via a dependable ZF eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (with paddle-shifters) and a determined Torsen limited-slip differential.

This combination helps the 128ti sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in a brisk 6.3 seconds while on the way to a not-in-Australia top speed of 243km/h.

For reference, competitor outputs are: M135i xDrive (225kW/450Nm), Golf GTI (180kW/370Nm), i30 N Premium (206kW/392Nm), and Focus ST X (206kW/420Nm).

As noted earlier, the Renault Duster is offered with two different powertrains.

The most affordable option is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which produces 113kW of power and 270Nm of torque.

This is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only. It’s worth noting this is the same powertrain that propels the Renault Arkana and Captur, as well as certain entry-level Mercedes-Benz models.

Renault claims this version of the Duster can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.2 seconds.

The second powertrain option is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol with 48V mild-hybrid assistance which produces 96kW and 230Nm.

This is less powerful than the four-cylinder petrol but it’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system.

Renault claims the AWD Duster can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 11 seconds. That’s not very fast at all…

Claimed top speed for the entire Duster line-up in Australia is 200km/h.

Unfortunately there’s no automatic AWD Duster available globally yet so if you want to maximise your all-terrain capability, you’ll need to opt for this mild-hybrid manual powertrain option.

All versions of the Renault Duster have a braked towing capacity of 1500kg, though it’s worth noting the towball download limit is only 75kg. This could prove to be a hassle if you’ve got a towball-mounted bike rack and you put a hefty e-bike on it as this could easily send it over this threshold.

The 128ti's fuel consumption on the combined cycle test (ADR 81/02) is a promising 6.8L/100km, while its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are 156g/km.

However, in real-world testing, I averaged a reasonable 8.4L/100km over an even combination of urban and highway driving. Without my heavy right foot, an even better return could be had.

For reference, the 128ti's 50L fuel tank takes more expensive 98 RON premium petrol at minimum. Its claimed driving range is 735km, but in my experience, I got 595km.

Renault claims the four-cylinder, FWD Duster consumes 6.5L/100km, whereas the three-cylinder, AWD is claimed to consume 5.7L/100km, both on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle (ADR 81/02).

The former has a 50L fuel tank and requires a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol, while the latter has a slightly larger 55L fuel tank but requires higher quality 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

We didn’t get a chance to properly get as-tested fuel consumption figures during this initial first drive, but the FWD Duster has a theoretical range of 770km and the AWD Duster extends that to 965km.

So, can a FWD BMW be fun to drive? As far as the 128ti is concerned, the answer is a resounding yes.

Yes, you get the feeling you’re being pulled rather than pushed, but the 128ti attacks corners with entertaining vigour.

Of course, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine’s 180kW/380Nm outputs can easily overwhelm the front wheels off the line, and torque steer is a threat, particularly when pushing hard around bends, but they’re welcome characteristics.

After all, corner exits are improved by the 128ti’s Torsen limited-slip differential, which works hard to optimise grip when you need it most.

When going for the jugular, understeer still rears its ugly head, but wrestling the 128ti into shape is half the fun.

That said, body control isn't quite as strong as hoped. Turn in sharply and the 1445kg 128ti generates a surprising amount of roll.

It’s worth noting the lowered sports suspension goes without adaptive dampers, its fixed-rate set-up attempting to find the delicate balance between comfort and dynamic response.

All in all, the 128ti's ride is firm but well judged, with short, sharp imperfections the only real bother. Needless to say, it’s capable of being a daily driver, and so it should be.

As mentioned, the electric power steering has a unique calibration, and it's nice and direct, with a good amount of feel. But if you prefer more heft, simply engage 'Sport' mode.

Speaking of which, the Sport drive mode also releases the full potential of the engine and the eight-speed auto, sharpening up the throttle and raising the shift points.

The 128ti engine is a gem, offering up plenty of punch, especially throughout the mid-range, where torque is at its fattest and power is about to peak. The accompanying soundtrack also has some presence, even if it is artificially 'enhanced.'

But the smooth yet relatively quick shifting automatic transmission can take plenty of credit for the brisk performance on offer.

That said, the 128ti's first and second ratios are surprisingly short, so pay attention if you take matters into your own hands via the steering wheel’s paddle shifters.

Depending on which version of the Duster you opt for, they’re rather different beasts. The most ‘normal’ version is the FWD auto.

This powertrain combination with the 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic immediately feels familiar if you’ve driven a current Arkana or Captur.

There’s enough power underfoot to get moving along briskly, though you won’t be breaking the land speed record anytime soon. There’s also a wealth of torque allowing the engine to feel like it’s not working hard.

It’s fun to listen to the turbo spool up during moderate acceleration, though the four-cylinder engine note doesn’t necessarily inspire you.

For the most part the seven-speed dual-clutch operates smoothly, though it can get caught out during low-speed manoeuvres. It’s also clearly tuned for economy as it likes to shift up to the next gear quickly.

The AWD Duster, on the other hand, is where the fun and true character of this quirky SUV shines. With the three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and the manual transmission, it’s far from the quickest vehicle out there. It’s faster than a Suzuki Jimny, though.

While progress may be relatively docile, the gruff three-cylinder engine note is addictive. There’s also plenty of torque on tap, so you don’t need to downshift to get things moving.

The manual selector feels chunky in the hand and the clutch biting point is easy to get your head around. Unlike some petrol-powered manual cars, this one’s hard to stall. Even if you do, once you put your foot back on the clutch, the car restarts automatically.

Where the AWD Duster gains extra character points is by having a 48V mild-hybrid system. It doesn’t do anything to drastically alter the driving experience apart from adding a tiny boost to acceleration and extending and smoothing the engine idle stop-start system.

During our launch drive program we had the opportunity to drive the front- and AWD Duster off the beaten path, as well. While you’d expect the latter to be good, the former surprised me in terms of just how far it could go. It’s clear the platform is set up for all-terrain capability, no matter the powertrain configuration.

For added peace of mind off-road, however, the AWD has a higher ground clearance (212mm vs 174mm), as well as a range of terrain modes, including a ‘Lock’ setting that splits torque evenly between the front and rear axles.

The AWD Duster is pretty unstoppable off-road. It’s not quite a Jimny tamer in terms of outright off-road-ability, but I estimate the Duster could do 80 per cent of what a Jimny could do.

While the Duster mightn’t be an outright off-road beast, it well and truly makes it up with on-road finesse. The most noticeable element is the suspension. It feels supple, balanced and controlled no matter the surface. Sure there’s some body roll in the bends, but this isn’t trying to be a sports car.

There are some differences between the front- and AWD Duster when it comes to the rear suspension. The former has a torsion beam set-up, while the latter has a multi-link arrangement. In practice, however, it’s hard to tell any difference between the two.

The steering is direct and on the lighter side which helps with manoeuvrability, though there’s a general lack of feel. It’s considerably better than the Jimny’s vague steering, though.

In terms of parking the Duster has a tight turning circle. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard in the Evolution, though the Techno adds front and side parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.

The camera systems in this car are poor. They’re mushy-looking with poor resolution and horrible colour balance. It’d be great to see higher quality units installed, especially because the multimedia screen is so high-resolution.

Forward visibility from the driver’s seat is fantastic through the rather upright windscreen. You also get a good view of the muscular-looking bonnet.

Side visibility is great, which helps make checking blind spots easier, plus the rear envelope is sizable.

The safety systems in this car are largely easy to live with, though the lane-keep assist can grab at the steering wheel a bit too much on roads with tight lanes or poor lane markings.

Thankfully there’s a button on the dashboard that turns this, and any other safety system that annoys you off, so you can keep on motoring without safety nanny intrusion.

Lastly in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the Duster is impressively quiet at low speeds. You can even travel at 60-80km/h along gravel roads and in the cabin it sounds like you’re on a sealed surface.

Once you get out on the open road at highway speeds there’s noticeable road and wind noise, but I’ve experienced much worse in small SUV rivals at a similar price point.

The Renault Duster hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP just yet, though the Dacia Duster did receive a three- out of five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2024.

As standard there are six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Stepping up to the Techno gets you blind-spot monitoring, front and side parking sensors as well as a surround-view camera.

Notably absent from the entire line-up is rear cross-traffic alert, as well as adaptive cruise control. There’s only standard cruise control on offer.

There are two ISOFIX points, as well as three top-tether child seat anchorage points on the rear seat bench.

Like all BMW models, the 128ti comes with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is two years off the five years/unlimited km premium benchmark set by Audi, Genesis, Jaguar/Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.

The 128ti also comes with three years of roadside assistance, while its service intervals are average, at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Capped-price servicing packages are available, with three years/40,000km starting from $1350, while five years/80,000km kicks off at $1700. The latter, in particular, offers great value.

The Renault Duster is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assistance.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, which is mainstream for the commercial vehicle segment, but incredibly rare for a regular car. These long intervals are handy for those who travel long distances.

The first five services have capped pricing. All up these cost $2685 for FWD Dusters or $2475 for AWD Dusters. These average out to $537 and $495, respectively, per service.

Alternatively, you can purchase a five-year, pre-paid service plan for $2150 for FWD Dusters or $2100 for AWD Dusters. This is a saving of over $500, depending on the version, compared to pay-as-you-go.