What is it?
Even after eight successful sales years in the UK, through two versions, the Dacia Duster still doesn’t have a direct rival. Frankly, this Romanian SUV is so damned affordable that others simply can’t match it, or would rather not try. Prices start at a still-remarkable £13,995, especially given the very deep equipment spec of even the Dacia's Essential entry model.
Despite the sales success, Renault Group management has decided that it’s time for the current model to be freshened with new styling elements inside and out and some new technology, although they have taken great care to preserve everything that has brought the success up to now.
The biggest development is a new top-end powertrain, a TCe 150 petrol engine paired with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive. Performance is decent: the model offers a top speed of 124mph and 0-62mph acceleration of 9.7sec, with fuel consumption of 45.8mpg.
The new Duster’s styling follows the smaller, recently revised Dacia Sandero and Dacia Sandero Stepway models in adopting an LED headlight design with distinctive, integral Y-shaped daytime-running lights. New tail-lights echo the frontal style. The grille is ‘progressed’ rather than redesigned and there’s a more prominent lower front end as well.
A new, wind-tunnel-developed rear spoiler and more aerodynamic 16in and 17in alloy wheels improve the aero performance. These tweaks, with lower-drag wheel bearings and tyres that lower rolling resistance, cut around 6g/km from the CO2 output of the one and only 4x4 Duster model, the dCi 115.
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I've always been tempted by the Duster, but with the parts coming from Renault, I'm not sure about their reliability (I've had some disappointing experiences with Renault).
I noticed Dacia came second in a recent reliability / customer satisfaction survey but those surveys can be pretty unreliable themselves - eg. certain makes encourage certain types of customers that might not complain if something goes wrong, or are very forgiving if paying less for something.
I bought a Mazda on the strength of positive feedback in survey results but it was the worst car I've ever owned and the worst customer service I've ever experienced.
But not only is that item headline "From £9135" price incorrectly too low, the model tested here is also over £20,000 - that can get you a whole host of other cars in this class - maybe with not so much standard equipment, but will be better to drive and safer in a crash!
Sounds great. Is the starting price 9k (per the header) or 14k (per para 1 and the Dacia website?it's great value at 14k but there is quite a difference from 9k and rather confusing...