Renault Duster is the clearest proof of this: there is simply no more affordable crossover on the market! The closest to the French car was the Korean San-Yong-Aktion, which recently also acquired an inexpensive gasoline engine. Why isn't there a reason to compare a cheap car with an affordable one?

Who is non-Russian?!

Despite the foreign emblems, both the French car and the Korean one are of Russian origin: the Duster is produced in Moscow, and the Aktion in Vladivostok. And the piquancy of the situation is that Renault dealers take a bribe for delivering the car to the showroom, and San Yong sellers somehow manage without this, although the car is being transported across all of Russia. Anyway.

You can argue until you foam at the mouth about who looks better - “Duster” or “Aktion”, but we don’t judge by appearance: felt-tip pens have different tastes and colors. Both are good in their own way. Renault, of course, turned out to be much more original - it definitely cannot be confused with any other car. Powerful sills connecting huge swollen wheel arches, short bumpers “lined” underneath with practical black plastic, promising good cross-country ability - the Duster looks deliberately brutal, it feels like a style thoroughly mixed with utilitarianism. The unique radiator grille is also good, stretched between the angular headlights, which will remind some of the popular Moskvich-412, and for others the rare Lancia-Fulvia-Sport-Zagato.

The appearance of “Aktion” is more intelligent and restrained, there is no provocation in it, but there is harmony. Stylists from the Italdesign studio pored over the design of the car and came up with a completely fine car, which lacks a little personality. Yes, the Korean car cannot be confused with any other crossover, but compared to its classmates it does not stand out in anything special. Maybe this is how it should be?

Poor, but clean

The straightforward appearance of the Duster anticipates the uncomplicated interior: the car seems to warn that you should not expect luxurious decoration in its interior. The only sign of luxury is leather “furniture” in the most expensive configuration. Everything else is outright hard plastic, from which the central and door panels are cast - in general, everything that surrounds the driver and passengers. However, it all looks so honest that it is completely disarming: I don’t want to criticize Renault for its feigned simplicity.

But you can find fault with the ergonomics. The front seats are comfortable and lateral support is subtle but adequate. However, the height adjustment of the driver's seat occurs by pulling the iron handle while simultaneously lifting the butt off the cushion, which is not entirely convenient. There are other sad things too. For example, the steering column is not adjustable in length, and the mirrors are adjusted with a “crank”, which by some absurd accident was nestled under the parking brake lever. And the visibility through the “premature” exterior rear-view mirrors is very mediocre. Finally, the horn button, according to French tradition, is located at the end of the right steering column switch, which you remember only in those cases when, in response to patting the steering wheel hub, the car is imperturbably silent.

The insides of Aktion are thought out much better. From a style point of view, it may be inferior to the Renault, but if we talk about ergonomics, the Korean looks almost flawless - especially compared to the French. True, in the most budget versions the steering column also cannot “crane its neck,” but this can be easily corrected by choosing a richer version. But even the cheapest Aktions have a height-adjustable driver's seat. The finishing materials, of course, are also far from premium, but overall the interior seems richer. In addition, after restyling, the crossover acquired a new dashboard, which is very, very nice.

Taking care of your family

Both crossovers turned out to be very hospitable, but there are several nuances that complicate the life of Duster passengers. This is primarily due to the ease of fit. You need to have good coordination of movements to get onto the sofa without getting your trousers dirty. This is not easy to do: the door seems to be in a hole formed by a bulging threshold and an inflated rear wing, which are clean only when the car leaves the wash gate. The rest of the time, these important elements of the body are shrouded in dirt: when driving through even the smallest puddle, they tend to get dirty. But once you get inside, life immediately improves: even tall passengers will not feel cramped.

But Aktion still looks preferable from the point of view of passenger transportation. It’s easier to fit into it, and it’s comfortable to be inside: there’s enough space even for three. But it will be better for two: you can organize the central armrest and adjust the backrest.

Some are being brought!

In the basic configuration, the Duster does not have a split rear backrest - unlike the Aktion. However, the “Frenchman” can be forgiven for this: anyway, almost no one orders this car “naked”. The shape of the hold is close to ideal, and when unfolded, the loading area stretches almost two meters. The only disadvantages are the high loading height and the absolutely stupid trunk curtain, which does not roll up, but folds sagging, and also tends to fall down at every opportunity.

The loading area of ​​the Aktion with the interior unfolded is slightly shorter than that of the Renault, but it is noticeably smoother. True, the San Yong's hold space is trampled by wheel arches, but this does not greatly limit its cargo capabilities. In general, parity.

Towards a common denominator

Both crossovers can be equipped with both petrol and diesel engines. But we will still bring our duelists to common denominator and we will focus on modifications with 2-liter gasoline engines and manual gearboxes, since the Duster with an automatic transmission can only be front-wheel drive, while Aktion’s automatic transmission is currently limited to diesel engines only.

Even being a 1.6-liter, the Renault drives quite well. However, two liters makes the car more versatile: with a powerful engine, the Duster feels confident on the highway, since at speeds over a hundred, acceleration is much more noticeable. The French compensated for the lack of a reduction gear with a short first gear, which turns out very quickly. So Renault owners will have to accustom themselves to starting with the second one - it feels like the first one here.

If you believe the sensations, the San Yong accelerates a little more actively. However, in terms of numbers it is unlikely to beat Renault: the advantage of 14 forces rather smooths out the difference in weight rather than shortens the seconds to a hundred. But the Aktion’s gearbox is more evenly “cut” into gears (both cars have six steps), and the clarity of the shifts is a little higher. And if the dynamics of the gasoline version are not enough, you can turn to diesel engines, the most powerful of which develops an impressive 175 horsepower and gives the car very impressive driving performance.

Safety comes first

No one expects a crossover to behave like a sports car - driving a family car should be soothing, not exciting. Handling should be safe, not reckless, and all this fits perfectly into the Duster outline. It does not shine with the sharpness of reactions, but at the same time it does not bother you with the lack of feedback, although more could be expected from the rather heavy steering wheel. It's not shy about leaning into corners, but it does so quite cautiously. In general, he tries not to irritate him once again. But at high speed it holds a straight line perfectly, from which even very significant irregularities cannot knock it off. However, rear-wheel drive in the “Auto” mode is activated with a long delay, changing the nature of handling at the most inopportune moment. This problem can be smoothed out by ESP, included in the list of options, but cars equipped with a stabilization system, alas, cannot yet be ordered.

The philosophy of Aktion is very close to that preached by Duster: it is safety, emphasized by the calm nature of handling. It’s not difficult to achieve mutual understanding with the car: the San Yong drives the way you’d expect it to. The level of feedback on the steering wheel is quite decent, and roll in corners can be called moderate. ESP is missing only in basic trim levels, and all-wheel drive works more adequately.

How far is it to the tractor?

Both cars are front-wheel drive by default: rear axle It is connected only when the front wheels slip. The clutch that controls this process can be forcibly locked, but this will not be a panacea: with active off-road activities, there is a high chance of it overheating, leaving you without all-wheel drive.

Despite the fact that “Duster” and “Aktion”, by and large, are not designed for active efforts beyond the asphalt, they are still capable of something. Renault is especially good: it has higher ground clearance, smaller front overhangs, and greater approach angles. Perhaps, few crossovers can compete with the “French” in terms of off-road capability.

The driver of the Aktion will not have to go too far behind the tractor: it is significantly inferior to the Duster in terms of off-road geometry, and almost three extra centners are not in the best possible way affect patency.

Any roads are dear to us

It is very likely that in a few years legends will be made about the all-forgiving suspension of the Duster: Renault allows you to rush over any potholes with gullies without reducing speed and without any damage to the chassis: the energy intensity is simply amazing! At the same time, the smoothness of the ride seems quite decent - if, of course, you can go through all the bumps. But if you control yourself and drive carefully, the Duster may seem harsh: it diligently marks small irregularities. This is truly true: more speed - fewer holes!

Even if you don’t frantically stomp on the gas pedal, forcing the car to accelerate more actively, the engine will still rush to make itself known, revealing not so much gaps in noise insulation as its own penchant for karaoke. And at high speeds, the Duster begins to joyfully and loudly scratch the air with its angular body raised high above the road, disturbing the laws of aerodynamics.

Aktion behaves noticeably more modestly. It has a better streamlined body and a quieter engine - however, the last statement is true exclusively for gasoline versions: turbodiesels are not distinguished by acoustic modesty. As for the suspension settings, the “Korean” is not much inferior to the “French”: you won’t be afraid of it on our roads.

There is no limit to perfection

From the point of view of passive safety, the Duster, unfortunately, cannot be considered an excellent performer: it passed the EuroNCAP test with a C grade. In the event of a frontal impact, the crossover retained the strength structure of the interior, but was fined for the opening of the trunk lid. In addition, such a modest result by today's standards is largely explained by the risk of the driver receiving serious chest injuries during the so-called pillar test. Similar calculations are valid for a car with two frontal airbags, meanwhile, for cars produced in Moscow, only the driver’s air bag corresponds to the basic configuration, and the passenger airbag can be found in the “Expresion” and “Privilege” trim levels, having paid an additional 4,000 rubles, or you can get it in the most expensive version “Lux-Privilege”. But the stabilization system, although it is listed in the price list (RUB 13,000), can be ordered no earlier than the fall.

The new Aktion (also known as Korando in some markets) has not yet been tested for safety. However, you can expect that everything will be fine with it: the base has ABS and front airbags, but richer configurations include a stabilization system, as well as side air bags and curtains - the latter are not available for the Duster in principle.

Hit with a ruble

Price is the most important argument in favor of Renault: the entry price of 449,000 rubles is sheer dumping. And although for this money a sparsely equipped version with a 1.6-liter engine “on hand” and front-wheel drive is offered, it is still a full-fledged universal car with a not very rotten engine and passable city cross-country ability. So, even with all-wheel drive, the Duster is not much more expensive: it starts at less than half a million.

With a two-liter engine, the “French” costs 582 thousand - immediately with a 4x4 transmission. And if you sacrifice the drive for rear axle, you can get a version with an automatic transmission - and even save a little. It's a shame that all-wheel drive isn't paired with an automatic transmission. And the most expensive “Duster” in the “Lux-Privilege” configuration is estimated at 681 thousand rubles.

“Aktion” just starts at 745 thousand for the basic version with a 2-liter engine and front-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive car costs at least 829,000 rubles. Diesel versions are 50 thousand more expensive. Yes, by the standards of the class the price is very reasonable, but compared to the French generosity, the Korean car pales.

WE DECIDED:

Since this is not the first time we've talked to the Duster, we know that its charmingly low price did not allow the French to lower the bar: it is a multi-talented and very versatile car that would still be extremely popular even if it cost much more. Yes, it exposes the budget essence, but it in no way spoils the impression of the car.

“Aktion” as a whole was slightly ahead of “Renault”, while losing in terms of cross-country ability and pricing. But if you are willing to pay extra for a well-finished interior with much more humane ergonomics, and if passenger comfort is important to you, then the San Yong looks more attractive. In addition, unlike the “Duster”, which stretched out the queue for more than a year, you can master the “Aktion” without tedious waiting.

It would seem that cars of the same class cannot be fundamentally different from each other - however, such a statement is ready to refute the updated Nissan Qashqai, which vaguely resembles the premium crossover Lexus RX. The level of equipment of the car is also . Or maybe there is no point in overpaying a significant amount of money, and it is worth buying a relatively inexpensive SsangYong Actyon, which has also been proven on our roads? Then it’s worth researching and finding out which car will better meet the consumer’s expectations - Aktion or Qashqai, even despite the difference in their cost.

SsangYong Actyon and Nissan Qashqai - both crossovers deserve the attention of domestic consumers

Fashion: from good to better

Appearance

ItalDesign specialists were able to create a real miracle - from the eclectic and controversial in many aspects of the appearance of the former SsangYong Actyon, they extracted only the most necessary and received a complete design that nevertheless remains recognizable. Similar to the previous generation Actyon is the sloping roof, individual lines of the front bumper, as well as large wheel arches equipped with large stamped bulges. Otherwise, it has been completely updated - its headlights have become stricter and received a more discreet appearance, the radiator grille has shrunk in size and taken on a hexagonal shape, somewhat reminiscent of the corporate style. The window line, developed by the designers who carried out the order for SsangYong, no longer resembles an arc and gives the vehicle more dynamism due to the plane tapering towards the rear. From behind, the SsangYong Actyon also looks harmonious - but the “biodesign” style lights are a bit incongruous with the strict body, which has so many straight lines and sharp corners.

If we talk about which is better - Aktion or Qashqai, most people will choose it. The front part of the crossover is distinguished by the presence of clearly visible X-shaped lines, which have recently entered automotive fashion.

The narrow headlights of the Nissan Qashqai seem to continue the radiator grille, but form a small step - such a stylistic decision makes the appearance of the car dynamic, however, it does not allow individual elements to merge into one whole and lose their identity. On the side, the new generation Qashqai has two horizontal undercuts, as well as a large curve above the rear wheel arch, which makes you linger on this part of the body for several seconds. The rear view is also well designed - wide lights again evoke thoughts of resemblance to Lexus, and a large section of the bumper, made of unpainted plastic, gives it a Nissan resemblance.

Interior

If you compare the SangYong Aktion and the Nissan Qashqai, it will again look more solid and claim to be premium. Inside, the abundance of electronics immediately catches your eye - in addition to the huge display of the multimedia system, we see a small screen in the middle of the dashboard, and the dials themselves are equipped with backlighting that complements its background, as well as deep visors. There is no need to complain about the Nissan Qashqai - however, tall people will find their cushions a little short, and on a long journey a certain lack of frame rigidity may annoy them, which will force them to constantly change position to avoid discomfort. From the rear you can feel that the Qashqai was clearly not designed for passenger transportation, since the width of the sofa is only enough for two adults - but they will be able to enjoy the trip over any distance thanks to the ideal shape of the backrest and cushion. The trunk with a volume of 430 does not initially impress with its appearance - but when transforming the interior, which takes only a few seconds, Nissan provides us with a huge cargo compartment of 1.5 cubic meters, which is also devoid of uneven floor profiles.

Ride quality

Focus on power

According to all preliminary estimates, the SsangYong Actyon should be faster - after all, the Korean crossover has 5 horsepower more power, as well as a classic six-speed hydromechanical transmission versus the CVT of the Nissan Qashqai. However, practice shows otherwise - SsangYong specialists were unable to set up the gearbox well, and it often hesitates before connecting the required stage, and also does not allow rapid acceleration. The only driving mode in which you can see the advantages of the SsangYong Actyon transmission is driving on the highway at considerable speed, when the car moves to higher gears after a certain time.

If you choose Actyon or Qashqai, a vehicle from Nissan is much more dynamic thanks to a perfectly tuned CVT. In the city, the Nissan Qashqai allows you to move away smoothly, receiving maximum convenience, and outside the populated area, the transmission quickly reduces gear ratios, allowing you to maintain high speeds at minimum engine speeds. As a result, Nissan accelerates better, reaches higher speeds, and also consumes 0.5–1.0 liters less fuel.

Chassis

But not everything is so bad with the creation of Korean engineers - the SsangYong Actyon behaves excellently thanks to well-chosen suspension parameters. When driving over fairly large bumps, the car does not make noise. loud sounds, and also does not transmit vibration and shock to the cabin.

Only at speeds corresponding to highways does the chassis of the SsangYong Actyon begin to give in under the pressure of large potholes, experiencing fairly strong shocks.

Test drive a SsangYong Actyon:

And the Nissan Qashqai serves as living evidence that history moves in a spiral - the previous generation was also very tough before restyling. The Japanese company's car once again makes the rear riders fear for their heads, over which the roof hangs too low. However, the worst side of the Nissan Qashqai is not even the shaking, but the strong vibrations of the steering wheel, which force you to hold it as hard as you can on large bumps. In the comparison Actyon vs Qashqai is the last.

Test drive a Nissan Qashqai:

Its advantages for everyone

No matter how much Nissan representatives wanted, they failed to make the Qashqai an ideal crossover close to the premium class. Of course, the car has a very stylish appearance and is distinguished by excellent dynamics for its characteristics, however, many may not like such disadvantages as poor steering tuning and an overly stiff chassis. The Korean car SsangYong Actyon, although not as fast, can still boast of comfort and space in the rear seats. Moreover, if you look at this vehicle

What are the pros and cons of cars with different fuel engines? Which car is more comfortable to drive? How big are the savings in liters and rubles? Finally, how much does it cost to own a gasoline car versus a diesel one? To answer these questions, we took almost ideal competitors - two SsangYong Actyon crossovers in the same trim levels and with the same transmissions. Engines are two-liter, 149 hp. Only the red car has diesel, and the black car has petrol. This is only the first difference. In addition to the body color, we found four more.

GASOLINE - DIESEL

The two-liter gasoline engine of the black SsangYong Actyon produces 149 hp. at 3500–4000 rpm and 197 Nm at 3500–4000 rpm. The turbodiesel of its orange counterpart, with the same displacement and the same power, has a much more respectable torque - 360 Nm, and already at 2000–2500 rpm. The transmissions are the same - all-wheel drive, with a six-speed automatic transmission - but, of course, with gear ratios changed in accordance with the engines.

How much do the extra newtonmeters and higher dynamic parameters (maximum speed and acceleration) cost? At the beginning of February, the price of diesel Aktion was 60 thousand rubles. higher than that of a gasoline engine with a similar configuration. It is impossible to predict how car prices will change in the future, but we will assume that the difference between gasoline and diesel versions will remain approximately the same.

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The test run showed that a diesel car consumes an average of 1.5–2.0 liters less fuel per 100 km of travel. This also coincides with passport data.

The test run showed that a diesel car consumes an average of 1.5–2.0 liters less fuel per 100 km of travel. This also coincides with passport data.

SLOWER - FASTER

The dynamics were measured on compacted snow at a temperature of +2 ºС. Of course, our results are very different from the passport ones. However, in this case we were not interested in absolute indicators, but in comparative ones - obtained on different engines. To complete the picture, we tested the cars twice: in the standard mode for our tests (curb weight plus two riders) and with full rated weight.

The fact that the diesel SsangYong is faster is immediately clear, without any measurements - you barely press the gas pedal properly. The seconds shown by an impartial device only confirm this. And when accelerating to 100 km/h, and when accelerating from 60 to 100 km/h and from 80 to 120 km/h, the red Actyon easily beats its gasoline counterpart.

The difference is especially impressive when the cars are loaded to capacity. The engine of the petrol Actyon roars strainedly, accelerating the carcass weighing 2.2 tons. The diesel SsangYong does everything easily and makes it possible to feel it: with intense acceleration, your back is noticeably pressed into the back of the chair.

It is clear that the capabilities of a 150-horsepower turbodiesel are not unlimited: as speed increases, the pressure noticeably weakens. But when accelerating to 100 km/h, the diesel Actyon easily beats its gasoline competitor by 2.5–3.5 seconds, and that’s a lot.

The test run confirmed the first impressions. Keeping up with the diesel "Ryzhik" in a black gasoline "Aktion" when overtaking and on long climbs, maintaining a cruising speed of 100-110 km/h, is possible only if you constantly press the gas pedal to the floor. And this significantly affects acoustic comfort. Both cars are far from quiet. But when driving quietly, the noise comes mainly from below, from the road, and during intense acceleration the engines take over. Moreover, the diesel SsangYong turns out to be quieter than the gasoline one, since the latter’s “automatic” often shifts into lower gears, forcing the engine to rev until it rings.

In general, driving a diesel car is easier and more enjoyable. There is no need to press the pedal all the way - on the contrary, there is a feeling of power reserve, and this is not only pleasant, but also convenient, and therefore safe.

HIGHER CONSUMPTION - LOWER CONSUMPTION

We measured fuel consumption in two test runs - first with a partial load (driver and one passenger), and then with a full load. They drove along the same route, including city streets, busy suburban roads and expressways.

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The diesel Actyon consumed an average of 1.5–2.0 liters of fuel less per 100 km than the gasoline one. We expected greater savings, but this is not small. Especially when translated into annual mileage.

Why is the consumption less? Firstly, diesel is a priori more economical. In addition, the petrol Actyon moves more often in lower gears. But changing the load had little effect on fuel consumption. The diesel feels it a little weaker, which is quite expected, but this has almost no effect on fuel consumption. It is quite possible that on other cars, especially with smaller engines, the difference will be more noticeable.

WARMER - COLDER

The frosts during the test, as luck would have it, gave way to a thaw. But +1 ºС is also not Africa, so we decided not to cancel the test for warming up the cabin. Moreover, already in the preliminary run we noticed that for a comfortable ride in a diesel car, you need to set the air conditioning system to a higher temperature.

The salons were warmed up for half an hour, starting cold engines after an overnight stay - having previously set them to +22 ºС and turning on the Auto mode.

06 SsangYong zr03–15

The temperature was measured in the front and rear of the cars, at the level of the riders' heads. The results obtained were averaged.

No revelations: the interior of a gasoline car warms up faster. At first, the difference is small: after 15 minutes, the thermometers in the gasoline car showed +5 ºС, in the diesel car - only half a degree less. But after another 15 minutes, the gasoline Actyon won a landslide victory: +10 against +6.4 ºС in the diesel one.

Of course, while driving, the difference would be smaller, since the diesel engine warms up faster under load. But city cars, which are stuck in a traffic jam in the morning as soon as they leave the parking lot, will behave approximately the same as in our test.

CHEAPER - MORE EXPENSIVE

It remains to figure out how much the advantages and disadvantages of both cars will cost.

We bought gasoline for 35.5 rubles per liter, and diesel fuel for 34.5 rubles.

They are very similar, but still different: the diesel Actyon is not only more economical, but also noticeably faster than the gasoline one

Simple calculations show: over a mileage of 105 thousand km (a multiple of the service frequency of the petrol version), the owner of a petrol Aktion will save on after-sales service 45.3 thousand rubles. (at prices at the beginning of February). Great!

Now let's calculate fuel costs. If we take our test costs as a guide, then you will have to pay as much as 72.5 rubles for gasoline. more than for diesel fuel.

So, the difference in operating costs is 27.2 rubles. in favor of diesel.

Now let’s remember about car prices: the diesel Actyon is 60,000 rubles more expensive! It turns out that the buyer of a new diesel car with a mileage of 105,000 km will have to shell out 32.8 thousand “extra” rubles from his pocket. This is the price for a more economical and fast car, very convenient for country trips - especially if you often drive with a heavy load and a trailer.

It is clear that in the case of other cars the difference may be different, but the trend can be seen: driving a diesel car is more profitable, especially if you have high mileage, but the initially higher price negates this gain. And if you consume low-quality diesel fuel and end up having to clean the fuel system, then buying a diesel car will completely lose economic sense.

And yet such cars are becoming more and more popular - especially in the class of large all-terrain vehicles, where the difference in fuel consumption is significantly higher. Over the past decades, heavy fuel engines have evolved especially noticeably: the power of the most advanced passenger turbodiesels has increased more than three times, but at the same time they have become much more economical, noise and vibration levels have decreased. Of course, it’s too early to write off gasoline engines, but they have serious competitors. This only benefits consumers.

Renault Duster, which entered the market several years ago, managed to overcome the stereotype of crossovers as expensive cars that are a kind of “toy” for those who love, but are not ready to put up with their huge price and a number of inconveniences in operation. In addition, you can buy the Korean SsangYong Actyon relatively inexpensively, which is already in its second generation and has already gained a good reputation. Is it even worth purchasing a crossover at the price of a regular passenger car? After all, such a reduction in cost may be due to savings on the quality of the most important elements of the car. We have to find out this, simultaneously determining whether for all cases of life - Duster or Aktion.

Renault Duster and SsangYong Actyon - two inexpensive SUVs

A little about design

Conciseness or simplicity?

If you take a closer look at the current generation, it looks more than modest due to the extremely simple body with straight lines, as well as the lack of memorable design solutions. However, as soon as you put a Duster of the previous generation next to it, your opinion changes to the opposite - the car looks simply excellent! The new Renault crossover looks especially good from the front, where the chrome radiator grille with rectangular elongated cells immediately catches your eye. In addition, despite saving money, the French used modular headlights in the Renault Duster, divided into three segments:

But from the side and rear there is practically nothing to look at - if the Duster is not equipped with roof rails, then the only prominent part noticeable from these angles is an imitation diffuser made of silver plastic.

I don’t want to complain about the designers who developed the new generation - this is not surprising, because its appearance was created in the world famous Italdesign studio. If you compare Duster or Aktion, the Korean car looks much more harmonious thanks to precisely calibrated lines and soft curves of the body adjacent to the straight outlines of the front bumper and radiator grille. The sloping roof of the SsangYong Actyon gives the crossover dynamism, which is emphasized by the side windows tapering at the rear. From the rear, the Actyon looks simply superb thanks to the fifth door with prominent stamped elements. It’s just that the SsangYong’s taillights strongly contrast with this style due to their smooth contours - they seem to belong to a completely different car.

Inside the cabin - evolutionary development

When mentioning the interior of the Renault Duster, I again want to compare the crossover with the previous generation, which in its simplicity was reminiscent of one of the company’s cheapest models - the Renault Symbol. Now the situation has completely changed - the center console received decorative plastic inserts on both sides, and also moved slightly towards the cabin and received a multimedia system monitor. In addition, there has been a significant improvement in workplace Renault Duster driver - the three-spoke steering wheel is now equipped with silver plastic inserts and entertainment control buttons. Renault instruments now consist of three scales and have a rather pleasant reddish backlight.

But if you are going to choose Duster or Aktion, you should pay attention to several ergonomic miscalculations in the French crossover, represented by the location of the mirror position control under the handbrake lever, and the remote control with the window lifter keys, which is inconvenient to use due to the door handle partially covering it. in Renault Duster they have optimal rigidity and a good shape of the pillow, but they are spoiled by an uncomfortable back, forcing you to choose an upright seat with constantly tense back muscles. The Renault rear sofa provides enormous space for riders of any size - three adults will fit here without feeling the lack of knee room or being afraid of touching the roof with their heads. But it is worth mentioning the disadvantages of the Renault Duster, which include the absence of molded recesses in the cushion and backrest, which forces passengers to involuntarily move during sudden maneuvers. The Duster's volume is small due to giving priority to passengers, but when the rear seats are folded, the figure increases from 408 liters to 1.6 cubic meters.

If the design level of the Renault Duster is close to the previous generation SsangYong Actyon, then the new Korean car has already gone far ahead and competed. The center console looks especially interesting, reminiscent of the new Ford models in its V-shape. In addition, the vertical deflectors of the microclimate system also make a good impression, which are also very pleasant to operate. I would like to express especially great gratitude for the replacement of the previous inexpressive and overly bright SsangYong Actyon instruments with new dials with digitization inside the scale and white backlight.

Getting into the car, at first you feel just great - the back allows you to choose correct landing, and the pillow is not annoying with excessive softness. However, when comparing Actyon or Duster, you understand that the seats are not ideal, although in this case the cause of inconvenience is too tight lateral support, which makes you feel extreme fatigue after a long trip. There are no complaints about the rear sofa - not only is there even more space here than in the Renault Duster, but the seats also have a comfortable shape, and in the absence of a central passenger, you can use the massive armrest.

In the city 10.3 / Outside the city 7.8

Vehicle dynamics and capabilities

Road

Only at speeds corresponding to highways does the chassis of the SsangYong Actyon begin to give in under the pressure of large potholes, experiencing fairly strong shocks.

When starting off in a Renault Duster, you can’t believe that the engine develops only 135 horsepower - . However, then you realize that Renault designers simply selected very short gears, which force you to constantly put up with a loud engine. But at city speed, all that remains is to enjoy the ride - the Renault four-speed automatic changes gears very quickly, despite its archaic design, and also instantly responds to the touch of the gas pedal. The Renault Duster suspension annoys with loud knocking and shaking when driving over bumps, but with increasing speed such troubles become less noticeable. If we compare Actyon vs Duster, it definitely loses in terms of ease of driving in the city. The operation of the SsangYong six-speed automatic transmission is not always clear - when driving slowly, it holds high speeds for too long, and also allows significant delays after pressing the gas pedal hard. The only mode in which it is convenient to drive the SsangYong Actyon is driving on a country road, when after a while the car goes to higher levels, allowing for a smooth ride and efficiency. In the city there is no need to talk - Actyon often consumes more than 11 liters per 100 kilometers. The crossover suspension from SsangYong is very good - unlike the Renault Duster, it does not allow

discomfort

Only after trying to climb a steep Renault Duster slope do you understand the point of using such short gears - the first stage is quite capable of replacing the lowering position of the transfer case! The huge ground clearance of 210 mm also helps to improve cross-country ability - thanks to it, Renault can drive through a forest clearing with small stumps or rocky dirt roads. It is definitely necessary to mention the incredible energy intensity of the Duster suspension, which allows you to drive over potholes and bumps at great speed, completely without noticing any inconvenience. But the Renault turns out to be an almost useless toy - after a couple of tens of minutes of driving through deep mud, the clutch in the transmission overheats, and the driver loses the advantage that allows him to overcome difficult areas. Therefore, the Renault Duster allows you to travel on forest roads and climb steep hills, but any wet dirt road can become insurmountable for it.

Test drive a Renault Duster:

If you compare Aktion and Duster, it turns out that the first car is not at all suitable for driving off roads with normal surfaces. Ground clearance The SsangYong Actyon is small, and the large, stylish bumpers have very modest approach and departure angles. However, here the automatic algorithm, which seems far from optimal on asphalt, helps to overcome difficult parts of the road without the risk of deep bogging. Maintaining high speeds, the SsangYong Actyon gives approximately 15–20 minutes to get to a safe place, after which the transmission overheats. The Actyon suspension, even when the surface is smooth, cannot withstand collisions with large holes and potholes, beginning to transmit noticeable shocks to the cabin.

Which direction should we go?

If you are purchasing a crossover solely for the purpose of driving, it is better to give preference to the SsangYong Actyon, but you should choose a manual transmission for it, which allows you to achieve high ease of operation and good efficiency. But I would like to call the Renault Duster the successor to the Niva, similar to it in terms of its modest level of equipment and taking into account the modern approach to creating a car. But the Renault Duster is clearly lacking in presentation even after the update, so those who pay attention to the design are better off choosing the SsangYong Actyon.