Dacia Duster

Dacia It has been quite a revolution. His low-cost concept has allowed him to conquer markets wherever he goes. His product range is short, but he attacks the main market niches. He Dacia Duster, for now, is the only and first SUV of the Romanian firm. In fact, it is one of the cheapest TT SUVs that you can buy in Spain, although to do so you must get rid of some things.

We have tested this car:

VIDEO | New Dacia Duster 2024: more than an SUV

The accumulated success of the Duster is a success built little by little since its launch at the end of 2009. In these years it has become one of Dacia's best-selling models, just behind the successful Dacia Sandero. Since it was put on sale in 2010, three generations have set foot on the asphalt, the last of which was launched in 2024 and is currently in the commercial launch period in Spain.

The Duster has a very specific weight within the brand due to its high number of sales. That is why it is important to keep up to date with your rivals. In the new generation, small improvements are introduced in its aesthetics, equipment and mechanical range to be cleaner and more efficient.. Although in our country it is sold under the umbrella of the Dacia brand, in emerging and secondary areas the Duster is signed by Renault.

Technical characteristics of the Dacia Duster

Dacia Duster

El Third generation Duster is made on the CMF-B platform. This same base is shared internally with its brand brothers Logan, Sandero y Jogger. Thanks to the use of this platform, it has an external size that allows it to play between segments B and C. Thus, it measures 4,34 meters long (the same as before), 1,81 meters wide (1 centimeter more than before) and 1,66 meters tall (3 centimeters less than before).

To these dimensions we must add a wheelbase of 2,65 meters. In terms of load capacity, it has a Minimum trunk volume of 348 liters that reaches 474 liters in the TCe 130 HP 4×2 version. As we have already said, the Duster is one of the cheapest 4×4 on the market, and also one of the most effective. In the field he moves like a fish in water thanks to a all-wheel drive and excellent off-road levels.

The third generation improves on the previous one with 31 degree approach angle, 36 degree exit angle, and 24 degree breakover angle. In addition, you have to add a free height with respect to the ground, which is 21 centimeters and allows you to safely enter certain types of paths. The main limitations of its technical structure are that it cannot incorporate sophisticated elements such as an active or reducing suspension.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Dacia Duster

Dacia's economical car concept involves, among other things, offering a range of low-power engines. The mechanical offer has been one of the main axes of the changes applied in 2024 with the total disappearance of the diesel engine. At the moment The portfolio consists of two gasoline versions and one hybrid. In the first case, as an access version, it is powered by gasoline and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) with the ECO label.

That version is the 1.0 ECO-G 100 with 101 HP of power which sends force to the ground through the front axle. Under its management we have a 6-speed manual transmission that allows it to squeeze out the 170 Nm of torque it has. One thing to keep in mind is that This version offers an approved autonomy of 1.300 kilometers. This is because it works either with gasoline or LPG with tanks that are 50 liters in each case.

The second version of the range is the 1.2 TCe 130 with 131 HP of power. It is the same engine that the previous Duster had, although with a great novelty. Now it incorporates a light hybridization system that allows it to show off the DGT ECO label. The transmission associated with this engine is a 6-speed manual that sends the engine's power to the ground through the front axle or all four wheels. However, there is no possibility of including a reducer.

The most powerful engine in the current Duster range corresponds to the version Hybrid 140 with 140 HP of power. Its technical foundations are identical to those of the Clio y Captur E-Tech with a 1.6-liter 90 HP gasoline engine to which two electric motors are associated. The 1,2 kWh battery allows you to drive in the city without emitting CO2 thanks to the fact that the 6-speed automatic transmission (4+2) allows you to combine the use of its engines. All with a consumption of about 5 liters per 100 kilometers. In this case, there is no option or possibility of having 4×4 all-wheel drive.

Equipment of the Dacia Duster

The main argument where the Duster makes clear its status as an economical car is found in its interior. Unlike the previous generation now shows off higher quality finishes and better-touch materials but they are still behind their generalist rivals. This is seen in the use of harder plastics in areas that are exposed to touch or adjustments that could be better. However, the evolution compared to its predecessor has been exponential.

This is seen, above all, in the higher finishes of the range with better upholstery and greater equipment. The Duster equipment range for Spain is structured around four finishes. From least to greatest equipment we have the versions: Essential, Expression, Extreme and Journey. Each of these allows us to access a more or less performance mechanical range, a better load of equipment and a different look, although in this section the differences are not great except for the fact that the Essential level sports its bumpers in black plastic.

In terms of equipment, The 2024 update introduces great new features that improve life on board. Despite this, the offer is far from similar models that are much more complete than the Romanian model. Despite this, the following stand out: LED headlights, multimedia system with 10,1-inch screen, mobile connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto protocols, air conditioning and latest generation driving assistants.

Dacia Duster video test

The Dacia Duster according to Euro NCAP

The third generation of the Duster has been subjected to the Euro NCAP crash test in 2024 obtaining an overall score of 3 stars out of a possible five. The individual ratings by sections are distributed as follows: 70% in protection of adult passengers, 84% in protection of child passengers, 60% in vulnerability of pedestrians and 57% in effectiveness of driving assistants. However, these three stars are not at all synonymous with insecurity, but EuroNCAP has increased its safety parameters and the Dacia model, although very correct in all measurements, is one step behind.

The Dacia Duster of Km 0 and second hand

As we have already said, the Duster is the second best-selling model of the brand in our country, and one of the leaders in its category year after year. It has earned a well-deserved reputation for resistance and low cost, both in purchase and in its maintenance. The excellent sales have made the secondary markets popular and in the last renovation the number of zero kilometer units as well as second-hand units has increased.

If we take a look at the used and second-hand market, we see that the most affordable units date from the beginning of the first generation. The offers start at figures close to 4.000 euros for models with a basic finish and more than 250.000 kilometers. In the Km 0 market the supply is lower, but even so the number of units available is sufficient with now high prices that start around 20 thousand euros.

Rivals of the Dacia Duster

Due to its configuration, urban platform but compact size, the Duster is an SUV with a long list of direct rivals. However, its fair selling price makes it almost unique. All of its natural enemies are more expensive, although they are also better in quality and equipment. If we stick to this we could say that the rivals with whom it fights in the market are the Mitsubishi ASX and Ssangyong Tivoli, but we can also add many more like: Renault Captur, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Citroen C3 Aircross, FIAT 500X, Skoda Kamiq, SEAT Arona, And many more.

Highlight

4×4 capacities
Notable improvement in quality
Habitability and greater equipment

To improve

Interior quality in access versions
No diesel engine for long distances
Poor equipment in access version

Dacia Duster Price

If anything has made the Duster a tremendous success it has been the low selling price. Many buyers opt for Dacia's solution as they are attracted by really low costs. The starting price of the Dacia Duster is 19.290 euros, without offers or promotions. This value corresponds to a model with Essential finish and with 1.0 ECO-G mechanics of 101 HP. The most expensive of the family is Duster Journey Hybrid 140 HP with automatic transmission and 4×2 traction. Its starting price is 27.790 euros, without offers or promotions.