What's the difference?
No brand courted controversy more than Ford when it stuck the legendary Mustang badge on an electric mid-size SUV.
Now finally here in Australia after a significant wait, the Mach-E is the Blue Oval’s first step into fully electric territory.
The question we’re answering for this launch review is whether it’s too little too late. Now the Mach-E’s primary rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y are established players in Australia, is the Mach-E yesterday’s news, or is it something different in the EV space? Something worthy of the Mustang badge?
Let’s find out.
The Duster is finally in Australia! Anyway, moving on…
Dated Top Gear reference aside, Renault has just launched its version of the boxy Duster small SUV in Australia.
Badged as a Dacia in Europe, the Renault Duster features different badging, as well as more noise insulation to create a quieter interior.
This is the first new Renault passenger model to launch in Australia for a while now, following the Megane E-Tech electric SUV and updated Arkana ‘coupe’ SUV in 2024.
Balancing a fine line between the bland-looking Subaru Crosstrek and the hardcore Suzuki Jimny, is the Renault Duster worth considering? Read along to find out.
The Mustang Mach-E is fantastic to drive and very competitive on the range and equipment front, allowing it to outpace some of its well established rivals in Australia.
In fact, it's almost a shame about the Mustang name, because it will distract from what is, at its core, a compelling first step for Ford into the fully electric space.
So, don’t expect a ‘Mustang’, at least not in the traditional sense. But this is certainly something. A new future for a new Ford.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
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.
The Mach-E looks good, but nothing like the designs you have come to expect from Ford.
Sure, there are plenty of notes, references and hints, to its Mustang namesake, some more hidden than others, but fans will have to accept this is a new interpretation of the badge for a new era, and at the end of the day, it’s an electric mid-size SUV.
The overall visage is a little more sleek than your average RAV4, though, with a long wheelbase, coupe-like rear, and a curvy shape which no doubt helps it cut through the air as efficiently as its shape will allow.
Mustang hints are found, obviously, in the big pony badge on the front, but also the frowny-face headlight profile, and iconic three-bar pattern for the rear lights, too.
There are even hidden things, like pony imprints on the underbody protection, and ‘electric ponies live here’ branded onto the motor unit, where few buyers will likely ever see it. In a move which should keep all Mach-E owners happy, every grade looks great, each having its own character.
The base car looks all aero with its wheel covers and more humble plastic cladding pieces, while the Select adds contrast piano black bits and more traditional alloy wheels.
The GT goes harder still with a 3D-effect grille and much more Mustang-like 20-inch wheels.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when it came to the Mach-E’s interior, but it looks a bit more ordinary in pictures than it does when you’re in the car.
What appears from a distance to be a hodgepodge of bits from Ford America and Ford Europe with the same dull grayscale theme is more nuanced and textured once you’re in the driver’s seat.
I especially like the tiered dash with the speaker-bar look for the Bang & Olufsen system which integrates across the front, and the 15.5-inch screen which looks like it will dominate the space is actually at a perfect distance from the driver.
An appreciated amount of soft-touch surfaces and synthetic leather finishes round out the space. There is even a grade-specific textured detail piece running across the dash. Nice touch.
It’s also a lot to take in, but somehow it works. One thing is for sure though, it’s not traditional ‘Mustang’. This has jumped from the big, brash, old-world (and often maligned for quality issues) interior, to something cleaner, more open and futuristic.
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.
This is especially true when it comes to the usability of the cabin. I was surprised to be greeted by a high seating position, a wide cabin, and an abundance of storage with plenty of neat features.
For a start, the centre console is a nice piece of design. It features a floating bridge section with a wireless charging bay, rubberised storage tray, dual bottle holders with variable edges, and a floating armrest piece with a large console box below.
In front, and below the wireless chargers, there’s a big cutaway for additional storage, and a decent sized glove box on the passenger side.
The all-dominating touchscreen, as mentioned, is at a nice distance from the driver, isn’t as obstructive as it looks and unlike the Tesla Model Y or Model 3, the Mach-E scores a little digital instrument panel to provide the driver with conveniently-located core information.
I only have two gripes about these systems. Unfortunately, you have to adjust the climate functions through the touchscreen.
There’s a nice central volume dial, but it would be nice to have physical adjustment dials for temperature and fan speed, too.
As it is, the touch areas are quite small, and require a bit of concentration to jab at.
The instrument panel has a nice clean design, but isn’t customisable, the limited information it shows is all you get. Better than not having one, I suppose.
The rear seat is also excellent, offering me, at 182cm tall, plenty of airspace for my knees, and sufficient width for my arms. Headroom is its most limited dimension, although I fit without my head touching the roof.
The seats are brilliant, clad in a decent synthetic leather material and padded with an excellent amount of foam material for a comfortable ride no matter where you’re seated. The centre seat even seems usable for adults, thanks to the Mach-E’s flat floor.
Rear passengers are treated to bottle holders in the doors, two more in the centre drop-down armrest, USB ports on the back of the centre console, pockets on the backs of the front seats, and a pair of adjustable air vents.
Annoyingly, the huge panoramic sunroof doesn’t have a retractable shade, nor is there a flexible shade accessory on the options list.
Sure, it looks great, but it could be a nuisance, baking the interior during hot Australian summers.
For some reason this particular trait is common in more and more EVs with the Tesla Model Y and Polestar 2 sharing the same issue.
Boot space is 402 litres (VDA) which is not particularly large for a mid-size SUV. I would expect 450 litres or more in this category, but the Mach-E is compromised a little by its aggressively-shaped rear.
It also doesn’t get a spare wheel of any kind, making do with a repair kit under the floor.
Ford also throws in a Type 2 to Type 2 public AC charging cable, but if you plan on charging from a wall socket at home you’ll have to delve into the accessories list.
One of my favourite Mach-E features is the 134 litre frunk. I’ve said before I don’t think this particular EV fad is super useful.
It’s often an inconvenience to have to pop the front from the inside, and I’ve found in my long-term loans of EVs I rarely use them, but the Mach-E’s frunk is special because it’s watertight and drainable.
This opens up some neat opportunities, like the ability to throw dirty hiking, diving, or work equipment in there and hosing it out later, or even filling it up with ice and chucking a case of drinks of your choice in there for an old-fashioned American block party. It even has integrated cupholders for this express purpose.
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.
Price is key to any new electric car, and the Mach-E doesn’t do anything unexpected. It’s not here to be a new, more affordable mid-sized electric option in Australia, instead leaning on its performance credentials to slice out its own niche amongst its competitors.
Three Mach-E grades arrive in Australia with prices ranging from $79,990 for the most affordable rear-wheel drive Select version, stepping up to $91,665 for the also rear-drive Premium and stretching to $107,665 for the all-wheel drive GT.
Before you start adding on-road costs or state-based discounts then, the Mach-E competes with mid-grade or higher-end versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y - and maybe the more sedan-like Polestar 2.
Range is, of course, key to the price equation for any EV, and this is where the main differences lie between the variants, which are remarkably similar when it comes to standard equipment. The base Select gets a smaller, more affordable 71kWh battery pack. It grants the entry-point car a driving range of 470km on a single charge. Not bad at all.
Next up, the Premium grade remains rear-wheel drive, but swaps up to a larger 91kWh battery unit, delivering one of the longest ranges of any EV on the Australian market, at 600km.
Finally, the top-spec GT moves to all-wheel drive, almost doubling its power outputs, but maintains the same 91kWh battery, for a reduced but still respectable range of 490km between charges.
Standard equipment is impressive, too. Even the base Select scores items usually reserved for high-spec cars, like synthetic leather interior trim with heated and power adjust front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker premium audio system.
Other standard equipment includes the impressive 15.5-inch portrait-oriented multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a matching wireless phone charging bay, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 19-inch alloy wheels (with aero panels), a 360-degree parking camera, LED headlights, and the full safety suite.
The Premium grade scores higher-spec LED headlights, contrasting piano black exterior trim, black headliner and red stitching for the interior, as well as metal scuff plates and pedal trims.
The top-spec GT has the most noticeable bump in equipment, with the addition of adaptive suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, a Brembo brake package, GT styling touches inside and out, ambient interior lighting, and sporty front seats with additional bolstering.
The issue the Mach-E faces, then, is not range or standard equipment. It is simply not offered in a form which is as competitive with price-leading versions of its core rivals.
Of course, most anticipated vehicles like this are picked up primarily in high-grade forms to begin with, Ford telling us nearly 40 per cent of pre-orders have been for the GT, but it’s notable there’s no circa-$70,000 entry-point variant as there is for the EV6, Ioniq 5, and Model Y.
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 Mach-E might not look like a traditional Mustang, but don’t be fooled, it’s no ordinary mid-size SUV on the performance front.
Even in its most basic trim level, the Mach-E puts out 198kW/430Nm, and yes, it’s rear-wheel drive.
The mid-grade version boosts power even further to 216kW/430Nm, while the top-spec GT nearly doubles outputs to 358kW/860Nm thanks to its dual-motor, all-wheel drive system.
Sprint times are a hot-hatch baiting 6.6 seconds for the base Select, 6.2 seconds for the Premium and an impressive 3.7 seconds for the GT.
The GT scores other enhancements, too, like the 'MagneRide' suspension also seen in the internal-combustion Mustang, and upgraded software unlocking the sportiest ‘Untame Plus’ drive mode which Ford says is ‘for track use only’ (and it is, because it basically turns traction control down to a minimum).
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.
As mentioned, the three Mach-E variants have distinctly different range offerings. The base Select travels a respectable 470km between charges, the mid-grade Premium covers 600km (one of the longest ranges on offer from any EV currently in the Australian market) and the top-spec GT travels 490km between charges.
Interestingly, the base car is offered with the more affordable LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) battery chemistry for its 71kWh unit which uses less rare materials, sourced from China’s CATL, while the larger 91kWh batteries are sourced from Korea’s LG Chem using the higher output but more expensive NMC (nickel-manganese cobalt) chemistry.
On the efficiency front the Mach-E isn’t bad considering its performance, and size. The base Select is rated at 17.8kWh/100km on the combined cycle, while the number is lower for the Premium at 17.3kWh/100km, but hops up to a less-than-impressive 21.2kWh/100km for the all-wheel drive GT.
For reference, these official consumption figures are about on-par with the Ioniq 5 and a little lower than the EV6. It will be interesting to test this car’s range and efficiency figures at a later date, on a longer test.
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.
Let’s make one thing clear. The Mach-E does not drive like a Mustang. A Mustang, of course, being characterized primarily by its brash V8 roar, gratuitous cabin and grand touring dynamics.
No, the Mach-E immediately reminds me of a Ford Europe SUV. Sounds like an insult doesn’t it? But it isn’t.
The Escape and Puma are remarkably sharp to drive, and I consider them deeply underrated options in the SUV space, and more suited to drivers than they first appear.
The Mach-E takes the best elements of these two and dials it up to 11, adding the smoothness of an electric powertrain and inherent rear-wheel drive performance characteristics as it does.
While it saddles you with a tall SUV-like seating position, it’s no simple SUV once you get it on a few curves, the urgent performance from the rear-mounted motor, even in the base car, is excellent, feeling as though it punches above many of its rivals, while the sharp, accurate steering makes it feel surprisingly agile and responsive considering its dimensions and weight.
The regenerative braking is well-calibrated, too, offered in either a one-pedal or more moderate tune, but perhaps the most surprising aspect of this car is its well balanced ride.
Reviews from my colleagues overseas pointed to an overly hard ride, which I was expecting, but I was greeted with a car that deals with bumps, undulations, and corrugations with a remarkable amount of poise.
Ford says what it calls the “Irish tune” was selected as it offered the best ride for our roads, and it seems the Blue Oval engineers weren’t wrong.
It’s a firmer ride than the boaty Hyundai Ioniq 5, but not as firmly sprung as the Polestar 2 or Tesla Model Y.
In other words, it’s firm enough to make it fun to drive, but not hard enough to ruin it in your day-to-day commute.
It was also interesting to find the MangeRide adaptive suspension in the GT grade didn’t make as big a difference as expected, firming things up a little on some surfaces, but offering a slight edge to the amount of chassis control on offer as a result.
The three drive modes also make a significant difference to the experience. The ‘Whisper’ mode dials back accelerator response and artificial noise, serving as a kind of ‘eco’ setting which is said to also be more suited to low-traction scenarios, where the instant torque of the electric motors can easily spin the wheels.
The standard mode is far more balanced, while the 'Untame' mode makes the motors respond in haste, and dials up the artificial rumbling noise, but not to an unpleasant level.
The fourth, ‘Untame Plus’ mode, only available on the top-spec GT, allows the car to, for example, break into a drift when grip is low enough by dialling back the traction control.
It’s designed to allow a little more play and maximise acceleration response for track use. Still, it doesn’t feel as tail-happy as its namesake combustion coupe.
While it appears to be yet another mid-size electric EV, then, there’s something a little more on offer here, and something which sets itself apart from the electric pack by being fun to drive in a way something like a Tesla Model Y isn’t.
The best part is, these unusually engaging dynamics extend beyond the top-spec GT, all the way to the base Select.
The only thing is, it’s still very tidy. It’s organised, the traction control is clever, the chassis is sharp, the steering is brilliant and the electric motors are… inorganic.
In some ways, this car is too good to be a Mustang, certainly missing some of the edge-of-your seat chaos a V8 rear-driven coupe can bring.
So, long as you understand this, there’s a very compelling sporty electric SUV to be found here.
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.
All Mach-E variants get the same set of modern active safety equipment including auto emergency braking at freeway speeds, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It also scores a 360-degree parking camera and reverse auto braking.
Adaptive cruise control features (although not the semi-autonomous ‘BlueCruise’ offered in this car’s American version), alongside a healthy suite of airbags.
Only the Select and Premium grades are rated a maximum five ANCAP stars, with the GT excluded.
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.
Ford offers a now industry standard five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as the battery manufacturer standard eight-years and 160,000km for the high-voltage components.
Unlike some EVs in this space which push intervals out to two years, the Mach-E needs to see a workshop once every year or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Thankfully, servicing is relatively affordable, at just $135 or $180 at alternating years for the first 10 years, and roadside assist is automatically topped up with each service (at an authorised Ford dealer) up to seven years.
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.