[PJ1987]

Before I begin, I want to clarify that the car I'm reviewing is provided by my company for my personal use.

Hello guys, I'm Pranav, a Chemical Engineer originally from Thrissur, Kerala. I've worked in various refineries across different states in India before spending 4.5 years in Kuwait. Currently, I'm with a Spanish firm and stationed in Adana, Turkey. I've been a member of Teambhp for a few years now, mostly lurking around, but today, that changes. I'm finally writing a review about the car I drive here: the Dacia Duster, which is essentially the Renault Duster we had in India but under the Dacia brand. I drive an automatic, but I often switch with my colleagues who drive the manual 4×4 version.

When I started writing this review, I realized how challenging it is to write lengthy reviews. My hats off to those who do this regularly. You guys are champs.

So, let's get into the review. It is a 4-cylinder, 1.3 litre, turbocharged 150 hp engine, with a 6-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic transmission (250 Nm torque). The vehicle I drive is the base version, so there are no bells and whistles inside—no fancy screens or electronics. It has rear parking sensors and that's it.

Pros:

1. **Ride Quality:** Simply put, it's superb. Despite being slightly firm, you'll love how it rides. It handles potholes and expansion joints with ease. On highways, it's a mile muncher. It easily masks the speed—I once got a speeding ticket for going at 164 km/h on the highway without realizing it.

2. **Dimensions:** Ideal for city traffic. It's not too big, similar in size to our Creta. Maneuvering through traffic is a breeze, and visibility is excellent. You sit up nice and high, even with the seat on its lowest setting, and large windows give a good view outside with no big blindspots.

3. **Seats:** Fabric seats in my variant, but they're incredibly comforting. Even after long rides, no backaches or discomfort.

4. **Engine:** A gem of an engine—very tractable with minimal noise at higher speeds.

5. **AC:** Cools the cabin immediately, probably because it doesn't have to deal with extreme climates like in our country.

6. **Engine Start/Stop:** Works really well. The engine shuts down immediately at stops, and when you release the brake slightly (or clutch in manual cars), it jumps back to life without delay. The tuning of the start/stop function is impeccable.

7. **Space and Practicality:** Despite its small size, it offers decent boot capacity and backseat legroom. Plenty of nifty small cabins to store your items. The brochure claims a boot capacity of 445 liters, which I consider plenty for a relatively small vehicle.

8. **Reliability:** Despite driving it for a short while, my colleagues assure me it's a reliable car. We have around 60 cars in use, and none of them have spent any time at the workshop other than for regular servicing.

Cons:

1. **Gearbox:** My biggest gripe. It's slow to respond, especially for quick overtakes. There's a noticeable delay in response, especially up to 1500 rpm, then a surge of power up to 2500 rpm before the gear changes. You can mitigate this by using Manual mode, but you wouldn't want to do it regularly. In my humble opinion, the company producing these gearboxes should be banned from manufacturing gearboxes. This outstanding engine's entire character is being marred by this useless gearbox.

2. **Brakes:** Spongy and uninspiring. They don't stop where you want them to, especially during hard braking. You have to keep this in mind every time you pick up speed.

3. **Interiors:** Just plain and simple—non-exciting. Hard, scratchy plastics everywhere, but understandable considering the price point. Basic knobs and buttons for all functions.

4. **Steering:** Very light, which is great in city traffic, but it lacks feel or feedback, especially at higher speeds. It's okay on highways, but for fast corners, you have to make constant minor adjustments. But light controls really take the strain out of parking.

5. **Twisty Roads:** If you carry some speed into a corner, the car feels like a bouncy castle. Reminds me of the horse carousels for small children. This is not a car that has to be hustled through a twisty corner.

**Some general points:**

Can't comment about the fuel efficiency as I never measured it. I always fill the tank full at any Shell petrol pumps, and it is paid for by the company. I will try to check the fuel efficiency and update here if someone is interested to know. But so far, I think it is pretty fuel-efficient. A full tank is taking some time to empty. My regular travel is 20 km one way to the office. If I don't take it on a long drive, it lasts me 3 weeks or a little more.

Driving in Turkey.

Now I would like to share a few things about driving here in Turkey. All Indian nationals having a regular driving license can drive here in Turkey for 6 months without any additional documents. If you exit the country and come back again, it is another 6 months. My company gives me a 15-day vacation every 4 months. So, I believe I don’t need to go through any hassles for taking a local driving license. And for those who are interested to know the details, I will ask around and find details about how to take a license here.

For me, the driving experience on roads here is very similar to our country. There is a general disregard for road safety rules, jumping red lights, honking for no reason, changing lanes without warning... it reminds me of our roads and people. Guess I don’t have to miss that part while driving here. 😊

But the highways here are just outstanding. You can travel at some very serious pace. And the scenery on both sides is breathtaking. You may mistake it for some European countryside. So far, I have only visited a few places near Adana like Mersin/Erciyes, etc. Planning to cover most of Turkey before I leave this beautiful country. I welcome any suggestions from our esteemed members.

Also planning to update this thread with travelogues and photos of the places I visit. Maybe it will come in handy for any members who plan to visit here. Hope you guys enjoy this very short review.

Happy motoring.
PJ

"Note to the moderators:" as this is my first review and a lengthy post, I'm unsure whether to merge it with any existing thread or create a new one. I kindly request guidance from you guys on the appropriate course of action. Thank you!

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the International Car Scene. Thanks for sharing!

[Asoon]

This is the version which never made it to India (they launched 1.3 turbo in the old generation for short time), and would have ended up with the same fate. The gaps in this and the generation we had in India are still the same interiors, quality, steering & brakes

Duster created the compact SUV segment in India and was the first perfect family SUV, Hopefully they will launch the latest generation in India, that one fixes a lot of the existing issues

[Uqaab]

@pj1987
Thanks for sharing your experience. Which year model is this.
How is the general car scene in Turkey. Like,
1. Which companies have major chunk of sales.
2. How are the government taxes on cars, and road tax.
3. How are the dealerships, their sales and services.
4. How are the EVs acceptability.
You may not know most of these things, I was just curious.

Also please write on your general experience living in Turkey. How acceptable and welcoming they are?

[PJ1987]

Originally Posted by Uqaab

@pj1987
Thanks for sharing your experience. Which year model is this.
How is the general car scene in Turkey. Like,
1. Which companies have major chunk of sales.
2. How are the government taxes on cars, and road tax.
3. How are the dealerships, their sales and services.
4. How are the EVs acceptability.
You may not know most of these things, I was just curious.

Also please write on your general experience living in Turkey. How acceptable and welcoming they are?

Thanks for your reply!! The Duster model I reviewed is the 2023 edition. The new 2024 facelift has been released here according to their website, but I haven't come across one yet.

Regarding the general car scene in Turkey:

1. Major sales are dominated by brands like Renault, Fiat, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Dacia, and Citroen. Japanese and Korean brands don't have a significant foothold here. While you'll see some models like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage, their market share is relatively small. Affluent individuals mostly prefer Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or Range Rover, though except for Range Rover, people tend to prefer sedans over SUVs.

2. As for government taxes and road tax, I don't have much information. I'll try to find out and update here.

3. The auto industry is extensive here, with dealerships, detailing centers, and auto parts showrooms literally everywhere.

4. I believe EVs are slowly gaining acceptance, but they still have a smaller market share compared to traditional vehicles. Occasionally, you'll come across Teslas, BMW iXs, Volkswagen iD4s, and some other EVs. I'm yet to come across a charging station here. I believe most flats and apartments have individual charging infrastructure.

Regarding my experience living in Turkey, I find it generally welcoming and accepting. The people are friendly, the culture is rich, and there's a strong sense of community. Of course, experiences can vary depending on individual circumstances, but overall, it's been a positive experience for me. Despite only 3% of Turkey lying in Europe and the rest in Asia, people here mostly follow European culture. I haven't had any bad experiences here yet, but some people warned me about going to certain places due to the presence of many Syrian refugees and common petty crimes there.

One thing I find very difficult is the language barrier. Local people don't speak English, even to a basic level. They don't even understand if you say one, two, three, etc. I find it very surprising, as Turkish and English alphabets are the same.

[PJ1987]

I often spot this car in Turkey, and I absolutely adore it. Everyone has that special something that captures their heart. For me, it's the Peugeot 308 crossover. Its design is simply stunning, and it's available in such attractive colors. Peugeot truly deserves credit – the French certainly know how to design a sexy car.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by PJ1987

One thing I find very difficult is the language barrier. Local people don't speak English, even to a basic level. They don't even understand if you say one, two, three, etc. I find it very surprising, as Turkish and English alphabets are the same.

Thanks for your great post on the Duster and life in Turkey. Would love to see pics from your experiences there too.

Turkish was reformed in 1920s and that changed its script from Arabic to Latin. The vocabulary and grammar have changed completely. Although Turkish is quite an old language, Modern Turkish is way different.

The words in Turkish have almost no relation to English.

A lot of people in Turkey can read Arabic but can't understand any of it.

Also Turkish movies and media is all about the Turkish language. The Turkish cinema is very advanced in itself. Some of the finest movies it produces. It also is a major producer of senslesss but emotional movies. Indian bollywood is majorly influenced by it. Especially the 70s, 80, 90s. If you find senseless fights in a bollywood movies, cars flying here and there, hero dodging bullets, villains and heros falling over vegetables, the hero using a 'thela' as a car-chasing fast vehicle, characters laughing at sly jokes and so on, blame Turkey for it.

Turkey has a long history and a very rich indigenous culture. More than 80% people are native speakers of Turkish. So they never needed to incline themselves on any other language for support. The cities like Ankara, Istanbul are thousands of years old, continuously surviving, like our Varanasi.

It would be great to pick up some Turkish or learn it professionally over weekends and use it to watch crazy (but some very fine too) Turkish cimema.

[PJ1987]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

It would be great to pick up some Turkish or learn it professionally over weekends and use it to watch crazy (but some very fine too) Turkish cimema.

Thank you so much for your insightful reply! Truly appreciate the additional information about Turkish language, culture, and cinema.

While I only know a few basic Turkish words myself, I'm definitely intrigued to delve deeper into the language and perhaps enjoy some of those crazy Turkish movies you mentioned. 😇

[PJ1987]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

Thanks for your great post on the Duster and life in Turkey. Would love to see pics from your experiences there too.

Your depth of knowledge piques my curiosity: have you had the pleasure of living in or visiting Turkey? If so, I'd love to hear about your experiences and any must-see places or memorable encounters you'd recommend to someone eager to explore Turkish culture firsthand.

[PJ1987]

Experiencing the Renault Fluence in Turkey: Share Your Insights

For a few days, I used the Renault Fluence, which belonged to my colleague. He exchanged cars with me to go on a long trip in my vehicle. As my company doesn't provide cars to Turkish employees, he wanted to take advantage of the free fuel offered to my car. Are there any other members who own this car in India? What are your opinions about this vehicle?

This lady is quite old, having clocked around 2.3 lakh kilometers. I didn't ask him about the manufacturing year or engine displacement. Despite some age-related issues such as creaks and faded plastics, she is still in very good condition.

The suspension was a little stiff, but I believe that's due to its age rather than the design. However, there are certain things I liked about this car:

1. The seats were extremely comfortable.

2. Gear shifts were buttery smooth despite her age.

3. Acceleration was very linear with no sudden jerks. You would really enjoy the way she picks up speed.

(On the other hand, the Dacia Duster manual, which I tried for a few days, was horrible. Shifts were notchy, clutch travel was long, and the clutch feel was excessively hard. Even releasing the clutch gently, after a certain limit, the vehicle would jump ahead. However, the manual version allows you to unleash the horses as per your heart’s desire, unlike the automatic which has considerable turbo lag. The engine pulls really well.)

4. The engine of the Fluence is relatively silent and doesn’t feel strained even at speeds of 120+

5. The car is very spacious and has a cavernous boot.

6. Additionally, the design still doesn’t feel very outdated, with the comparatively small air inlet giving her an angry gal look.

Despite its faults, I think it's a very good car. While I used to see a few of them around where I live back in Kerala, now I don’t even see one. I would like to hear from people who owned one back in India. Do you still own it? Do you believe if Renault did some things differently, it would have been a hit? Please share your views.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by PJ1987

Your depth of knowledge piques my curiosity: have you had the pleasure of living in or visiting Turkey? If so, I'd love to hear about your experiences and any must-see places or memorable encounters you'd recommend to someone eager to explore Turkish culture firsthand.

I just read that in books, watched movies and met a lot of Turkish people. I wish to visit atleast the Anatolia region one day. The best way to learn about local culture is to enroll in a language program and travel via public transport. Easier said than done.
To find places to visit, online or offline government resources are best.

[Dr.LexWheels]

Turkey is a country with a hoary past and a lasting civilization. Istanbul has quite a few places of interest to visit and spend time on, especially the Bosporus bay.

But, need to be a little careful when you wade into the streets even within the main business district. A lot of scamsters eyeing to pick up unsuspecting foreign visitors.

Myself and my friend had lost money to an imposter posing as a cop who was attired in traditional Turkish police outfits and even revealed his official ID. He got our valets and passports examined and returned the same to us with a caution not to exchange foreign currency with any unauthorised money exchangers.

When we walked a few feet away from him, we grew suspicious and inspected our valets only to notice that all our USDs were gone and our INR wades were left untouched by the hoodwinker. He simply melted away in the crowd and could not be traced thereafter.

[PJ1987]

A Day's Journey Through Lesser-Known Gems in Southern Turkey

Setting Off: A Sunday Adventure

Last Sunday, I embarked on a delightful short trip in my Dacia Duster, starting from my home around 10 o'clock in the morning. My journey covered approximately 400 km and took me through some of the less-traveled, yet captivating spots in Southern Turkey. While many tourists flock to the likes of Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Cappadocia, I decided to explore the hidden treasures near Adana, where I currently reside.

First Stop: Tarsus Hayvan Parkı

My first destination was Tarsus Hayvan Parkı, commonly known as Tarsus Zoo. Located about an hour from Adana, this charming zoo is nestled in the historical town of Tarsus, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. I spent around 2-3 hours here, marveling at the diverse array of animals and enjoying the serene environment. The zoo offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life, making it a perfect spot for families and nature lovers.

Exploring the Wonders of Cennet and Cehennem

After a relaxing morning at the zoo, I headed towards one of the most intriguing natural wonders in the region—Cennet and Cehennem, which translates to Heaven and Hell. These are two large sinkholes located near the town of Silifke, about 60 km from Mersin.

Cennet (Heaven): This sinkhole is a lush, green chasm with a small ancient church nestled at its bottom. The descent into Cennet is via a long staircase that takes you down to the church of Virgin Mary, believed to be from the Byzantine era. The experience of descending into this verdant abyss is both surreal and breathtaking. A lift is available to reach the bottom of Cennet, but one must use the staircase to truly enjoy this marvel.

Cehennem (Hell): In stark contrast to Cennet, Cehennem is a deep, dark sinkhole with steep, sheer walls. Unlike Cennet, there is no way to descend into Hell due to its vertical sides, which add to its ominous and intriguing character. There is a bridge with a glass bottom to view Cehennem from the top, but people who fear heights should avoid this, as the view will give them chills. Both these natural formations have fascinating legends associated with them, adding a layer of mystique to the visit.

The Backstory of Cennet and Cehennem

The names Cennet and Cehennem reflect the ancient mythology associated with these sinkholes. Cennet, with its lush vegetation and the ancient church, is believed to be a place of divine beauty and tranquility. In contrast, Cehennem’s dark, foreboding appearance has led to legends of it being an entrance to the underworld. According to myth an ancient 100 headed dragon called Typhon defeated and imprisoned Zeus in Cehennem.

Evening at Kizkalesi

From Cennet and Cehennem, I traveled to the nearby coastal town of Kizkalesi, arriving just in time to spend a leisurely evening on its beautiful beach. Kizkalesi, also known as the Maiden's Castle, is famous for its stunning offshore castle which stands on a small islet. The castle, bathed in the evening light, creates a picturesque view that is truly mesmerizing.

I took a dip in the cool waters and then relaxed on the sandy beach, savoring the tranquil ambiance. As the evening progressed, I indulged in some delicious Turkish Doner from a local vendor. Turkish cuisine, with its rich and diverse flavors, is a treat for any food lover. Common dishes include Doner, Durum, Sis, and Kebaps, which are delightful but can become monotonous if consumed regularly. Unfortunately, for those craving Indian cuisine, it can be quite challenging to find authentic Indian food in southern Turkey, with few options available primarily in Istanbul and Ankara.

Reflections and Future Plans

After a fulfilling day, I started my journey back home around 8:15 PM and reached by 10 o'clock at night. This trip reaffirmed my belief that Turkey is indeed a traveler’s paradise, brimming with historical landmarks and natural wonders. It is no surprise that Turkey was the 5th most visited country last year, attracting tourists to its popular destinations. However, the lesser-known areas, such as those I explored, offer equally enriching experiences away from the usual tourist crowds.

In the coming weeks, I am excited to continue my explorations with plans to visit Izmir, Antalya, Cappadocia, and Erciyes. I also aim to explore some nearby attractions in Adana, like the James Bond Bridge, before embarking on a grand tour to Istanbul and Ankara. I welcome any suggestions from our esteemed Teambhp members for hidden gems and must-visit spots in these regions.

Turkey's Rich History and Its Trials

Turkey is a land of immense historical significance, home to countless ancient landmarks that tell the stories of its vibrant past. However, many of these monuments have fallen victim to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes. The country’s location on several fault lines makes it susceptible to seismic activity, which has led to the destruction of numerous historical sites over the centuries. Despite these challenges, Turkey continues to preserve and cherish its rich cultural heritage, offering a unique blend of history and natural beauty to its visitors.

In conclusion, my short trip last Sunday was a reminder of the hidden treasures that lie within Turkey, waiting to be explored. Each journey unveils a new facet of this beautiful country, enriching my experience and deepening my appreciation for its diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.

[PJ1987]

30,000 km Update – A Duster Convert!

I recently crossed 30,000 km in my company-provided Dacia Duster. Back when the Renault Duster was available in India, I never even considered it as an option when we were looking to upgrade our car. I just didn’t get the appeal. But now, after spending a year with the Duster, I finally understand why it has such a loyal following.

Learning to Love the Gearbox
In my previous post, I had criticized the gearbox. To be fair, this was the first automatic I had properly driven, apart from a short test drive of the MG Astor. I didn’t really have a point of comparison. Initially, I struggled because I was unknowingly driving it the wrong way—my mind and muscle memory were still tuned to a manual.

Once I adapted, I realized that the Duster’s DCT is actually very good. The only quirk is that if you floor the accelerator from very low RPMs, there’s a slight delay in response. But once I adjusted my driving style, I found the shifts to be smooth and seamless.

I never saw the point of using manual mode in an automatic before, but after trying it out, I fell in love with it. Now, I often shift to manual just for the fun of it!

A Manual Purist Turned Automatic Fan
I used to be a die-hard manual gearbox fan. Whenever my friends talked about buying an automatic, I would argue that they were missing out on the "real" driving experience. But after covering nearly 30,000 km in an automatic, I get it.

Long drives used to leave me with knee pain (a side effect of being on the wrong side of 30, I suppose). But with this automatic, I genuinely enjoy long trips. Last month, I drove from Adana to Ankara and Adana to Trabzon, and despite the long hours, I didn’t feel any discomfort. I think I’ve officially converted—I now see automatics as just as enjoyable as manuals.

The Beauty of Simplicity
One thing I’ve come to appreciate about the Duster is its simplicity. It doesn’t have fancy screens, high-tech gadgets, or unnecessary features. Initially, when thinking about my next car, I wanted a big touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, and all the latest tech. But after driving the Duster, I’ve realized that I don’t actually need all that.
This car has only a basic radio/USB player (without a screen!) and a reversing sensor. And you know what? That’s more than enough. There’s nothing complicated that can break down. The car is solid, reliable, and well-built.

Back home in India, I drive an i20 Active, which has a reversing camera, a decent media screen, and all the reasonable tech a 6-year-old car had at that time. The only feature I truly miss from that car is auto-folding ORVMs, but even that isn’t necessary in Turkey, where the streets are wider. Give me a good car with a reversing sensor and auto-folding mirrors, and I’m happy.

Ride and Handling
The Duster is genuinely fun to drive. It handles bad roads well, with a suspension that soaks up bumps without any harsh jolts. The car remains stable even at high speeds (I manage to hit 195 km/h on the speedo regularly) and it felt solid.

In one year, the only issues I’ve faced were three or four punctures (luckily, all happened while I was at the office, so they didn’t ruin any trips). Other than that, the car has been trouble-free.

Final Thoughts – Should You Consider the New Renault Duster?
With the new Renault Duster launching in India this year or next, I strongly recommend people give it a serious look. It’s a mechanically solid vehicle, and if it retains the same qualities as the one I’ve driven, it’s worth considering.

However, if the manual version uses the same gearbox as the one here, I wouldn’t recommend it. The clutch has a long travel, and if you’re not careful with the release, the car tends to lurch forward. Even the gear lever doesn’t feel very smooth to operate.

But overall, I’m really impressed with the Dacia Duster. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think my next car will be an automatic!