The Dacia Duster offers such excellent value for money, you have to wonder why you’d ever spend the extra on a more expensive model. It’s not the most inspiring car to drive, and the interior is lacking in sparkle, but in just about every other respect the Duster is able to hold its own in an increasingly competitive market. For this second-generation model, the styling has been improved, the seats are more comfortable, and the diesel version is more economical. In fact, in diesel 4x4 guise, the Duster could be the best value proper off-road vehicle on the market.
The second-generation Dacia Duster looks far more upmarket than its predecessor. It’s an evolution of the old car, albeit with a sharper, more muscular look, but not a single body panel has been carried over.
It stands out from the glut of compact SUVs courtesy of neat three-section LED daytime running lights, natty four-section rear lights, and a sculpted bonnet. The Comfort and Prestige models are given more street appeal courtesy of contrasting front and rear skid plates and alloy wheels. On the Prestige model, the wheels are 17-inch ‘diamond-cut’.
Things are much improved on the inside, too, with seats that are more comfortable than before, reduced cabin noise when on the move and a good range of hard-wearing plastics. It’s not what you’d call luxurious, but it’s hard to find fault with the build quality, especially considering the price point.
Overall, the cabin design is more functional than it is inspiring, although the new ‘piano-style’ controls below the air vents is a nice touch. The infotainment screen sits 74mm higher than before, which makes it easier to view on the move.
The entry-level Access model looks decidedly basic inside, although the cabin in the more expensive trim levels is lifted by accents around the centre console, chrome door handles and chrome vent surrounds. Perceived quality is enhanced on the Comfort and Prestige models courtesy of a chrome gear lever insert and a soft-feel steering wheel. Both models also feature improved upholstery.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The Access model is either refreshingly basic or a little outmoded, depending on your point of view. There’s not even a radio as standard, although you do get pre-wiring for an aftermarket radio and speaker system of your choice. Given that units cost less than £100, this could be a good option if you want the cheapest Duster but couldn’t live without a radio.
Moving up to the Essential trim level adds an FM/AM/DAB tuner with steering wheel controls, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for MP3 players.
Only the Comfort and Prestige models come with Dacia’s familiar seven-inch MediaNav system, which features sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Dacia Duster doesn’t offer razor-sharp dynamics or strong performance, but that’s not really the point of this kind of vehicle. Besides, the Duster’s talents lie elsewhere.
It sits on the same platform as the previous model: a stretched version of the Nissan Juke’s underpinnings. The combination of a fair bit of body roll and dull, lifeless steering combine to create a vague and detached driving experience. Inadequate soundproofing means it can be a tad noisy, especially when pushing the 1.6-litre petrol engine hard or when idling in the 1.5-litre diesel.
But that’s where the problems end, because the light steering – which apparently requires 35 per cent less effort than before – makes it easy to manoeuvre around town, while the raised driving position gives a commanding view of the road ahead. Put simply, the Duster is no worse to drive than the vast majority of small SUVs, all of which are more expensive to buy.
In 4x4 guise, the Duster presents itself as a capable and inexpensive off-roader, with up to 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 350mm. It’s just a shame that you can’t order the ‘UN-spec’ Access trim as a 4x4.
Overall, the Duster is a pleasant car to drive. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard to all but the petrol-engined 4x2 model, with 4x4 variants using a transmission with a shorter first gear better suited to off-road demands.
Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed
The 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine is carried over from the old Duster, but Dacia has made a few tweaks to make it more powerful and efficient than before. There’s a modest 5bhp hike over the old diesel, with the new unit producing 113bhp. An overboost function delivers a torque increase, while an AdBlue system has cut emissions.
Acceleration would be best described as adequate, with the Duster diesel 4x2 hitting 62mph in 10.5 seconds, or 12.1 seconds in the 4x4. The top speeds are 111mph and 108mph respectively.
The 1.6-litre SCe 115 is an old-school petrol unit which feels a bit outmoded in a world of super-efficient and powerful turbocharged units. A more sophisticated turbocharged petrol engine will arrive in 2019.
In the meantime, the 1.6-litre petrol produces 113bhp, which is enough for the Duster to hit 62mph in 11.9 seconds in 4x2 guise and a second slower in the 4x4. Top speed is 107mph in the 4x2 and 105mph in the 4x4.
With the budget price comes one or two compromises, but safety is something many buyers will be unwilling to sacrifice. In an age when many cars seem to receive a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the new Dacia Duster can only muster three stars.
Not only is this the same rating it received in 2011, but two of the scores have actually decreased in the six years between the two tests. Of course, the test has become tougher, but adult and child occupant protection scores of 71 per cent and 66 per cent respectively aren’t even close to class best. Scores of 57 per cent for pedestrian safety and 37 per cent for safety assist technology are nothing to write home about, either.
Safety devices such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist simply aren’t available, while blind spot monitoring is only offered on the top-spec Prestige model.
The news isn’t much better when it comes to customer satisfaction. Dacia finished 25th out of 27 on the list of the least reliable car manufacturers in our 2018 Driver Power survey, while Dacia dealers were ranked 26th out of 28. Owners criticised the availability of courtesy cars, dealer facilities, the standard of work and the courtesy of staff. More damning was the critical assessment of the value for money offered by Dacia Dusters – not good for a brand built around this proposition.
Warranty
The Duster’s three-year/60,000-mile warranty is merely adequate for this sector, especially considering Hyundai offers a comprehensive five-year warranty, while Kia and SsangYong offer seven years of protection.
Still, at least the Duster is covered by an additional two-year paintwork warranty and six years of anti-corrosion cover. Extended warranties are available, providing cover for up to seven years or 100,000 miles. You’ll pay between £200 and £800, depending on the cover.
Servicing
Dacia recommends getting the Duster serviced every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. Service Plans range from £350 for a three-year/30,000-mile deal to £950 for a four-year/60,000 plan, although this also includes an extended warranty. Monthly plans start at just £5 per month.
Size
At 4,341mm long and 1,804mm wide (without door mirrors), the Dacia Duster is just 53mm shorter and 2mm narrower than the Nissan Qashqai. The height varies depending on whether you opt for the 4x2 or 4x4 version – or indeed, if you fit roof bars – but even in its shortest guise (1,621mm), the Duster is taller than the Qashqai (1,595mm).
This is one area in which the Duster excels, especially when you consider the size of its more conventional, and similarly priced, rivals. Another advantage is the 210mm ground clearance, which will be useful in the urban jungle.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
Those generous proportions translate into a good-size cabin. You step up into the Duster, rather than down like you do into a standard hatchback, which cements the SUV feel. Open the tall and wide doors to reveal a passenger compartment large enough to seat five adults.
Head, leg and kneeroom are adequate regardless of where you’re sitting, while adults could sit three abreast in the rear without a problem. Be warned: the entry-level Duster doesn’t feature a height-adjustable driver’s seat, while the passenger seat doesn’t move up or down, regardless of trim level. This might be an issue for tall people. Thankfully, the outer rear seats feature Isofix points for child seats.
Storage capacity is up 20 per cent over the previous Duster, with 28.6 litres of cabin storage available in 4x2 versions from the Comfort trim level. The 4x4 versions have to go without the under-seat storage.
The door pockets are a decent size, with a cup-holder and storage tray in front of the chunky gearstick and another tray between the front seats. The size of the glovebox is little more than adequate, although you do get a handy tray running along the top of the dashboard in front of the passenger seat.
Boot
The Dacia Duster has a good size boot, offering far greater luggage capacity than you’d find in a hatchback of a similar price. For maximum volume, opt for the 4x2 model, which offers 445 litres with the rear seats in place or 1,623 litres with the seats folded down.
In the 4x4 models, the capacity drops to 411 litres – or 376 litres with a spare wheel fitted. With the seats folded down, this space extends to 1,614 and 1,559 litres respectively. For context, the Nissan Qashqai offers a maximum of 1,585 litres.
The rear bench splits 60:40 on all but the entry-level Access trim, so avoid this unless you can live with three rear seats that are either entirely up or entirely down. In all cases, the seats don’t fold entirely flat, which might be an issue when carrying long and bulky items.
The loading lip is of a height you’d expect in an SUV, while the boot itself is well-proportioned, with no intrusion from the wheelarches. It’s a pretty basic boot, although a light is standard across the range.
Towing
The Duster will haul a maximum braked trailer weight of 1,400kg in 4x2 petrol guise and 1,500kg as a 4x4 or 4x2 diesel. Unbraked, it ranges from 615kg for the 1.6 petrol 4x2, up to 695kg for the 1.5 dCi 4x4.
A tow bar costs £250, or you can upgrade to the Touring pack, which adds roof bars and a front armrest to the mix.
If you’re covering long distances or your commute to work involves motorways and dual carriageways, the Dacia Duster diesel is the best choice. A figure of 64.2mpg is mightily impressive for an SUV, and although it drops to 60.1mpg in the 4x4 version, it remains an economical proposition.
In the petrol versions, the figure drops to 43.5mpg (4x2) and 40.4mpg (4x4), which might seem like a huge difference on paper, but the story isn’t as clear cut as that.
The diesel versions cost £2,000 more than the petrol equivalents, so opting for a more fuel-efficient Duster might be a false economy. If you do fewer than 12,000 miles a year, we’d recommend a petrol version, unless you need the marginally improved towing capacity.
First-year VED (road tax) is £205 for the majority of models, although petrol 4x4 versions cost £515. In all cases, the figure drops to £140 from year two.
Insurance groups
For an SUV, the Dacia Duster is surprisingly cheap to insure, but the groups vary according to the trim level, engine and whether you opt for two or four-wheel drive.
Unsurprisingly, the entry-level Access model is the cheapest to insure, falling into group 9 (three groups higher than the old model), but you’ll also find the Essential and Prestige trim levels in the same group, assuming you opt for petrol and 4x4.
From there, it gets a little confusing, as the petrol-engined 4x2 Essential and petrol-engined 4x4 Comfort are both in group 10. Meanwhile, the petrol-engined 4x2 Comfort and petrol-engined 4x2 Prestige are both group 11.
All the diesel models fall into groups 14 and 15, with the more expensive hardware of the 4x4 versions outweighing the all-weather benefits to nudge them into the higher of the two groups.
• UK car insurance groups explained
In all cases, the Duster will be cheaper to insure than many of its rivals. For example, the MINI Countryman starts from group 18, while the Nissan Qashqai kicks off in group 13.
Depreciation
Thanks to the Duster’s incredibly low list price, depreciation will be thousands less than comparable compact SUVs. After three years and 36,000 miles, you can expect the Duster to retain around 50 per cent of its value, which is more than some of its more expensive rivals.
Some trim levels fare better than others, however. For example, the Access trim, while cheap to buy new, is less attractive to used car buyers who tend to demand a little more than solid white paint, no air conditioning, steel wheels and no radio. Thanks to its improved tech, the Comfort trim will be in demand, while the added extras of the Prestige will ensure it appeals to a wider range of buyers.
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