With
ever-increasing prices, fuel consumption is a major factor with new- car
purchases. Ford claims a scarcely believable 4.5 litres/100
km for the combined cycle, while Renault advertises 5.6 litres/100
km. Our own standardized fuel-route test returned 6.1 litres/100
km for the Eco Sport and a near- identical 6.3 litres/100
km for the Duster.
Under
The Skin
The
Eco Sport is based on the excellent Fiesta platform and as such shares that
car's layout: MacPherson struts upfront and a torsion beam at the rear. Coupled
with the high-ish profile tyres
the Ford has good ride quality. The electrically assisted steering can feel a
tad light and artificial, but that won't bother too many potential buyers. The
Eco Sport is not available in an all -wheel-drive configuration; power is
delivered solely to the front wheels.
The Renault Duster 1.5 DCI Dynamique come with stylish 16-inch alloy rims with a
full-size steel spare wheel under the boot floor
All
Duster models have a similar front suspension setup as the Ford's, but in the
case of this four- wheel-drive version, a multilink arrangement is employed.
Two-wheel-drive versions have a torsion-beam rear axle.
Thanks
to the tall sidewalls and its more sophisticated rear suspension, the Duster
rides really well and trumps the Ford in this aspect.
We
put that part-time four-wheel- drive system - the default setting is FWD -
through a really good test. At an off-road test venue, we mistakenly took the
toughest route (the one the instructors specifically warned us not to take). We
needn't have feared; rather than getting stuck, the Duster was given an
opportunity to show how capable it really is. The low-geared first and second
ensured enough torque to ascend slopes that most soft-roaders would wince at
and the 205 mm ground clearance meant we bumped the body only once. The Duster
proved that it isn't averse to getting more than a little, er
... dusty.
The interior of the Ford Eco Sport 1.5
TDCI Trend, while basic, has all the modern essentials and road-trip comfort
levels
Test
Summary
On
paper, it's a close- run affair, with the Duster just edging the Ford in terms
of an overall package.
The
reality, however, is slightly different. What we have here are two cars that,
on face value, seem to be competitors but in reality will appeal to very different
buyers.
With
the Eco Sport, Ford has nailed the recipe of an urban SUV. It has a commanding
driving position, the right level of specification and is well priced. It also
has the right ground clearance to deal with that most severe of urban obstacles,
climbing kerbs.
If
you require just that little more "U" from your SUV, the Duster is
the one. It offers a more basic charm that is devoid of pretence.
The butch looks and overt nature appealed to the vast majority of the team. Add
into the equation the selectable all-wheel-drive system and the Duster has a
wider breath of talents than the Ford for very little additional expense.
Most French manufacturers know how to
make a car’s suspension comfortable, and the Duster is no exception
It'll
ultimately come down to intended usage. If you never leave the concrete jungle,
the Eco Sport is more car than you'll ever need. But if you plan to venture off
the beaten path, take a Duster.
