The Renault Duster compact SUV has received a three-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing of the 2024 Dacia Duster by Euro NCAP.

ANCAP confirmed that the locally sold Duster matches the same safety specification as its European counterpart, with the rating applying only to 2WD models.

The Duster launched in Australia in August 2025, priced from $31,990 before on-road costs for the Evolution 4X2, and up to $37,990 for the Techno 4X4.

It competes with small SUVs such as the Suzuki Jimny, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-30, offering rugged styling and off-road capability at an affordable entry point.

The ANCAP result saw the Duster score 70 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 86 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 60 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 58 per cent for Safety Assist.

While the passenger compartment remained stable in frontal crash testing, protection for the driver’s chest was rated Weak and lower leg protection Marginal.

The Duster performed well in side and pole impacts, achieving maximum scores in those tests. However, a centre airbag is not fitted, resulting in no score for far-side impact protection.

The Duster’s autonomous emergency braking system performed adequately in car-to-car and junction tests but struggled in head-on scenarios.

Its AEB system recognises pedestrians and cyclists moving ahead of the vehicle, but it does not function while reversing.

Lane keep assist was rated Good, while emergency lane keeping was assessed as Marginal.

Standard safety equipment on Australian variants includes dual frontal, side chest, and side head airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.

Techno variants add blind spot monitoring, multi-view cameras, and front and side parking sensors.

With its three-star result, the Duster aligns most closely with the previous-generation Suzuki Jimny, which also scored three stars under ANCAP testing.

It falls short of newer models such as the Chery Tiggo 4, which holds a five-star rating based on testing of the larger Tiggo 7 Pro. ANCAP conducted additional testing and verified that the Tiggo 4 shared identical safety performance.

Meanwhile, the Mahindra XUV 3XO and current-generation Jimny remain unrated.

Full ANCAP testing details are available in the official report.