Hang on, this appears to be a Dacia Duster… but with styling.
That’s exactly what it is. This third-generation Duster is designed. And that sentence is complete as it stands — previous Dusters were more assembled than designed, but Dacia is making taking a different tack these days, making its cars look as desirable as they are affordable.
Uh-oh. Does that mean that Dacia is abandoning its cheap-car roots?
Not really, no. This new Duster still has a starting price of €25,990, which is seriously affordable for a small 4x4.
Is it actually a 4x4?
Most Dusters will be sold with front-wheel drive, and probably with the new 140hp fuel-sipping hybrid engine, but this one we’re testing is genuinely a 4x4, with drive to all four corners, generous ground clearance, and a Land Rover-style terrain select switch on the dashboard. You see, Dacia is trying to amp-up its credentials as an out-doorsy brand, and it wants to drink a little of Jeep’s milkshake.
But it’s still cheap?
That depends how you define cheap. This one we’re driving costs just over €34,000 which isn’t buttons, although it’s also way cheaper than any other comparable small SUV if you’re comparing this range-topping Extreme trim with rival high-sped models. Basic Essential models really are basic, with no touchscreen (just a handy clamp for your mobile phone) although you do now get standard air conditioning and more safety kit as standard.
Is it practical?
Oh yes. There’s a 478-litre boot out the back (which does in fairness shrink to 414-litres for this 4x4 model), and if you fold down the back seats (they don’t fold properly flat, but who’s complaining at this price?) then you’ve got 1,500 litres of loadspace. When people are in the back, it’s only the very, very tall and long-legged who might find it a bit cramped. Normal-size people, and kids, will have plenty of space. Plus, there’s lots of storage space up front, and handy ‘YouClip’ hooks onto which you can hang extra cupholders, phone holders, and the like.
What’s this new Duster like to drive?
It’s actually really good. The old Duster bumbled along pleasantly enough, but this new one feels properly sophisticated from behind the wheel — much more so than the Jogger and Sandero which share the same mechanical bits underneath. The 1.2-litre 130hp turbo petrol engine is quite lively, although in first and second — which are low-geared for proper off-roading — it can be a little breathless. It’s fine everywhere else though, and decently economical, averaging slightly more than 6.0-litres per 100km in our hands. The steering is direct and well-weighted, and the slightly soft suspension means that typical Irish road lumps and bumps won’t bother you. There’s a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds, but other than that, the new Duster is an all-round class act.
What if I don’t want a 4x4 model, though?
That’s OK — you can choose from a 140hp hybrid version, which is probably the one that will sell best, or a basic 1.0-litre turbo petrol with 100hp.
So, what’s the verdict?
Dacia has pulled off a really neat trick here — it’s made the Duster look and feel way more sophisticated than it used to, but in doing so it hasn’t pushed the price up to silly levels. This remains an affordable car, but one that’s more desirable than ever before.
Key Facts
How much? Prices start from €25,990. The one we drove was €34,840.
How fast? 0-100km/h in 11.0 seconds
How thirsty? Officially, this 4x4 model scored 6.1-litres per 100km on the WLTP test, and that’s basically what we got from it. A hybrid version has official fuel economy of 5.5-litres per 100km.
What do you get? Basic Essential models come with 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, recycled plastic exterior trim, roof bars, electric front windows, Bluetooth connection, six airbags, automated emergency braking, speed warning and limiter, cruise control, and rear parking sensors. If you want alloys wheels or the 10.1-inch touchscreen, you need to upgrade to the Expression model.
How big? At 4.34-metres long, the Duster is actually quite compact, and it’s not tall either, standing just 1,661mm up to the roof rails. The boot is 478 litres as standard, but that does shrink a little for 4x4 models, falling to 414 litres.
Plus: Looks smart inside and out, good to drive, useful, rugged
Minus: Not much, really
Equals: Possibly the most sensible car you can buy right now
