Dacia Duster gets a complete reinvention

Dacia launched the third generation of their compact Duster Crossover SUV at the end of 2024 with a choice of specifications and powertrains including petrol hybrid. Around 20,000 Dusters have found homes here since the model was introduced in 2012, priced at just €14,990.

Duster is built on the flexible CMF-B platform at the brand’s plant in Romania that can accommodate powertrains using mild-hybrid and full-hybrid technologies and allows more space for passengers and luggage.

You could truthfully say the model has been reinvented in this latest version, such are the changes outside and in.

My 4x4 variant has higher ground clearance than the 2x4 versions. It looks tough with an imposing front grille, wide wheel arches, lower bumper protection and a sturdy new roof rack. The entire area around the body is protected from light bumps and scratches by robust cladding. Large skid plates under the bumpers protect the underbody. My review car was in a beautiful Cedar Green metallic.

The dash has been given quite a modern design. The centre stage is the 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen positioned in the driver’s field of view and angled towards them. Both it and the new 7-inch digital cluster come with black and a bright green colour which is a bit drab looking but you do get physical buttons for the air conditioning system.

The levels are Essential, Expression, Extreme (for outdoor fans), and Journey for those who prefer ‘low-key elegance, comfort and technology’. In the Expression and higher trims, the screen is available with Media Display that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and Media Nav Live. Media Control, in the Essential trim, is an infotainment system you can control from the steering wheel switches. There’s a Bluetooth connection, USB port and a smartphone YouClip mobile phone holder integrated into the dashboard that can stretch to fit your phone, close to the screen. It didn’t work well with my phone as I didn’t want to remove the outer cover.

Front seats, with manual seat adjustments, were upholstered in a hard-wearing ‘MicroCloud’ washable fabric made from recycled plastics. Twenty per cent recycled rubber mats, front and back, can be easily cleaned but can be slippy if the soles of your shoes are wet when you climb into the car.

Large side mirrors have blind spot monitors and you get a good reversing camera. Radio controls are on a stubby stalk off the lower right side of the steering column, out of sight. You get to feel your way around the volume controls.

Rear doors open quite wide to be able to manage child seats and there are ISOFIX anchors on both outer rear seats. Passengers here have good head and legroom even behind a 6ft person seated in front. All three seats are of similar size. There’s a high transmission tunnel, good door bins, pockets on the front seat backs, and two small USBs.

The boot floor is adjustable. The luggage space in my 4x4 car was 411 litres, expandable with rear seats folded down.

Dacia claims a combined fuel consumption figure (WLTP) of 6.0 L/100kms. I achieved 7.6 L/100km, which included motorway driving and local trips. The Tce 130 4x4 has a maximum towing weight (braked) of 1,500kg, 730kg unbraked. C02 emissions are 135-137 g/km.

Powertrains are a hybrid 140hp, built with Renault technologies, that uses a 1.6 94hp petrol engine, two electric motors and an electric automatic gearbox and allows you to drive in all-electric mode up to 80% of the time in cities. The TCe 130, new for Dacia, combines a 3-cylinder, 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine and a 48V mild hybrid motor available with a lovely 6-speed gearbox in the 4x2 and 4x4 versions.

Unfortunately, my days with the 4x4 coincided with the disruptive Storm Éowyn which meant I was unable to test the Terrain Control system that includes five driving modes - Auto in which the rear-wheel drive is engaged automatically in case the front wheels lose grip; Snow; Mud/Sand; Off-Road for performance on tough terrain; and Eco which optimises fuel consumption and the distribution of torque to the front and rear axles.

Ground clearance is 217mm; approach and departure angles are up to 31-degree at the front and 36-degree at the rear. Downhill speed control is used on jagged terrain and steep slopes.

Standard spec includes Automated Emergency Braking with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle detection; traffic sign recognition, an automatic speed limit alert, and lane-keeping assistance, which I find distracting and annoying while driving. You can turn this off by twice pressing the button on the dash with a yellow light every time you start the car.

Duster was awarded three points out of a possible five in safety tests by Euro NCAP, scoring well for child occupant protection and lower for vulnerable road users' protection and for safety assist systems. The company has stressed their cars are fundamentally safe should an impact occur.

PRICES: Price: from €25,990 for entry-level 1.0 FWD; my 4x4 €32,390; Hybrid 140 €32,090.