Dacia Duster
FIRST UK DRIVE Pocket-friendly SUV now comes with auto gearbox
FOUR years after it launched in the UK, Dacia is still producing Britain’s cheapest car. We drove the facelifted Sandero in Issue 1,461, but now the Romanian brand has fitted its bargain Duster SUV with an auto gearbox.
Apparently, 27 per cent of small SUVS sold in the UK are automatic – and Dacia tells us that the need for a self-shifter is the single biggest request dealt with by the brand’s customer relations team.
We first drove the Duster EDC auto in Croatia last year, and came away impressed by the smooth box. It commands a £1,000 premium over the equivalent manual and is exclusively available on the two-wheel-drive 1.5-litre dci diesel.
The EDC auto only comes on the top Lauréate and Prestige trims, and while that means prices start at £14,995, it’s still considerably less than an equivalent Suzuki Vitara. It even undercuts the Ssangyong Tivoli diesel auto by more than £2,000.
It’s the same box fitted to the Renault Kadjar, and it shifts without issue; it’s all about ease of use. The Duster will never be a car you want to drive fast, as the steering is still vague and the suspension is soft. There are no steering wheel paddles, either, so if you want to take control, it’s via the lever on the centre console.
It’s a shame that Dacia has no plans to offer the box on the TCE turbo petrol model, as the gruff dci diesel isn’t the most refined unit. It’s noisy when revved, and the rudimentary cabin does little to disguise engine rattle at idle. Still, it’s punchy enough and there’s plenty of in-gear shove.
Those opting for the dual-clutch Duster shouldn’t suffer when it comes to running costs. The manual model claims 64.2mpg, while Dacia says this EDC car should return 62.8mpg. In the real world, you’re unlikely to see much difference. CO2 emissions of 116g/km put it in the same Benefit in Kind tax band for company car drivers, too.
This Lauréate is well equipped, with 16-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, air-con, electric windows and DAB radio. For £900 you can opt for the Prestige version, which adds touchscreen sat-nav.