Dacia Duster Review 2021
Since its introduction to the UK in 2012, the Dacia Duster has forged a reputation for excellent value for money. Pitched as the SUV you can buy for the price of a supermini, the Duster has earned itself a legion of loyal fans, giving rivals such as the SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq and Renault Kadjar a run for their money.
Our Dacia Duster review covers:
- Sharper exterior design with signature rear lights and a new grille
- Comfortable interior with improved materials
- 411 - 445 litre boot with 60:40 split rear seats on selected models
- Wide choice of engines, including two diesels, three petrol and one biofuel
- Three trim levels available, including Essential, Comfort and Prestige
The second-generation Duster looks sharper than ever thanks to its refreshed bodywork, sculpted bonnet, LED daytime running lights and new grille. Comfort and Prestige models have also been improved with exterior enhancements such as contrasting front and rear skid plates and larger alloy wheels.
Inside, the Duster’s boxy style makes for plenty of interior space, its tall, wide front doors allowing for easy access and a decent amount of headroom up front. Storage options include door pockets, cup-holders, and a handy tray in front of the passenger seat, although the MG ZS is better for overall storage.
At the rear, the Duster has a good size boot with enough space to carry a fold-up buggy or the weekly family shop. Front-wheel-drive models offer more space than four-wheel-drive versions, at 445 litres and 411 litres, respectively. With the seats folded down, this space extends to 1,614 and 1,559 litres, which is more than the Nissan Qashqai at a maximum 1,585 litres.
60:40 spilt rear seats are offered on selected models but don’t fold entirely flat. The Duster also isn’t as flexible as the Skoda Karoq, with its split 40/20/40 rear seats allowing you to recline, slide or even remove the seats altogether.
Inside, the Duster’s interior has been given a subtle makeover with more comfortable seats, improved materials, and a repositioned infotainment screen. That said, there are still plenty of hard, scratchy plastics dotted about the cabin, and the quality isn’t as good as more expensive family SUVs.
There are three trim levels to choose from, including Essential, Comfort and Prestige. The entry-level Essential trim includes manual air conditioning, DAB radio with Bluetooth and daytime running lights.
The mid-spec Comfort adds an eight-inch infotainment system, a rear parking camera, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-range Prestige model includes sat-nav, a multiview camera, keyless entry and improved upholstery.
The Duster offers a wide choice of engines, including two diesels, three petrol and one bio-fuel option.
The 113bhp 1.5-litre Blue dCi 115 diesel engine remains the most popular choice and is available with front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
Petrol options include a new 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with 128bhp (badged 130) for decent acceleration with low running costs, or 147bhp (badged 150) for those who require more power. An entry-level 1.0-litre TCe 100 is also available on Access, Essential, and Comfort trim levels, but the power delivery is relatively flat.
A 1.0-litre 100PS turbo three-cylinder Bi-Fuel engine, which can run on either petrol or LPG, is also available for lower emissions, improved fuel consumption, and increased range.
The Duster handles well enough out on the road, but the steering isn’t as quick as MG ZS. Thanks to its light controls, comfortable suspension and good all-round visibility, however, it does make for an easy drive, with mid-range models offering cruise control to make longer journeys a breeze.
Prices for the new Dacia Duster start from £16,390.00 OTR* or to lease from £227.75 per month.
Interested in leasing the Dacia Duster? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a great range of lease deals on the Dacia Duster, with road tax, breakdown cover and free mainland GB delivery (exclusions apply), all included in the low monthly rental.
Car leasing offers many benefits over buying outright with a bank loan or dealer finance, including fixed monthly rentals, a low initial outlay and flexible mileage and contract terms. Thanks to contract lengths of between two to four years, you also have the option to upgrade your vehicle at the end of the term, allowing you to take advantage of new model releases and advancements in technology.
*'On the road' price correct at time of publication and typically includes one year’s road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Always check with the manufacturer.
