Compact family SUV

DACIA’S Duster resets value expectations for buyers of small SUVs in this third generation form. Jonathan Crouch reports

Ten Second Review

The third generation version of Dacia’s Duster is a much more advanced thing. But in many ways the spirit and value of its sensible, practical small SUV predecessors still remain. Don’t buy another small, lifestyle SUV until you’ve looked at this one.

Background

‘The best bargain on the market’. That’s quite a claim isn’t it, particularly for a car that starts from around £20,000. But this third generation version of Dacia’s Duster SUV just might be.

It’s not an EV but it’s the first Duster that’s been in any way electrified and, thanks to use of existing Renault Group tech and cheap manufacturing in Romania and Morocco, it offers easily the best value compact family SUV proposition on the market.

You could argue that the Duster always has, ever since it first arrived back in 2010. Alongside the Sandero hatch, it’s been the brand’s biggest seller since then, updated in second generation form in 2017 and along the way notching up 2.2 million registrations.

All that’s been founded on a backto-basics approach to SUV design and a platform originally created by Renault in the 90s. A structure which of course couldn’t accommodate the kind of electrified engines a car like this must now have. So this MK3 Duster adopts the same Renault Group CMF-B platform of other Dacias, a move additionally supposed to benefit practicality and refinement, though one that’s also pushed the price up. But as we said earlier, the Romanian brand still thinks it’s a bargain. Is it? Let’s see. Driving Experience

The two engines that Dacia wants to talk about here are both electrified petrol units. One is a mild hybrid TCe 130 three cylinder powerplant that features a 48V system harvesting energy into a tiny 0.9kWh battery that uses it to aid acceleration.

The other option is the Hybrid 140 powertrain already used by the brand in the Jogger (borrowed from the Renault Clio). This full Hybrid setup blends a 93bhp 1.6-litre four cylinder unit with a 48bhp electric motor energised by a 1.2kWh battery which can, Dacia claims, entirely drive the car for up to 80% of the time during urban motoring.

You’ll have to have an automatic gearbox with the Hybrid 140, but the more affordable TCe 130 mild hybrid version offers manual or auto options; and can be had with 4WD as an option (the first time that the rear wheels have been driven on any Renault Group model fitted with this car’s new CMF-B platform).

Design and Build

Were you to be familiar with this model line, you’d just about still know this was a Duster - but only just, so radical is the redesign here. It’s the same length as its predecessor, but slightly wider, lower and stockier, with beefier bumpers and chunky wheel arch cladding made of a trademarked partly-recycled material called Starkle.

At the wheel, it’s a step up from the previous Duster, but the materials used aren’t as smart as in some rivals. Above base trim, there’s a modern 10.1-inch central touchscreen, with over-the-air updates and the usual smartphone-mirroring. As with previous models, rear seat space is more generous than you’ll find with obvious rivals, further aided here by the packaging benefits of the new CMF-B platform. And there’s a decently-sized boot too (6% larger) at 472 litres below the parcel shelf, accessed via an wider tailgate aperture.

Market and Model

Prices are expected to kick off at around £19,000, which is exceptionally affordable for an SUV large enough to serve for family duties. Think closer to £25,000 if you want a really decent spec and either the Hybrid 140 version or the 4WD variant. But that’s still very good value indeed. There are four trim levels ‘Essential’, ‘Expression’, ‘Journey’ and ‘Extreme’. Base ‘Essential’ spec gets you a 3.5-inch media screen on the dash, along with a smartphone holder. But otherwise, your Duster will come with a 10.1-inch centre screen which gives you ‘Apple CarPlay’ and ‘Android Auto’ wireless connectivity, plus a reversing camera. There’s also 7-inch drivers instrument display and 17-inch alloy wheels.

‘Journey’-spec comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, keyless entry, automatic air conditioning, an electric parking brake, a wireless smartphone charger and an uprated sound system. Top ‘Extreme’ trim gets you navigation, power-folding mirrors, washable upholstery, rubber floor mats and copper brown styling additions inside and out.

Cost of Ownership

Here’s an area where this third generation Duster is streets ahead of its predecessors thanks to the addition of electrified tech. The mild hybrid 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine claims a 10% improvement in emissions thanks to its electrified system. You’d expect an even bigger step forward in efficiency figures with the Hybrid 140 variant - and you get it. Combined cycle fuel economy should be around 50mpg. If Dacia decide to offer the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel version, you could conceivably get yourself a Duster that’s even more economic. In this form, the car packs a 50-litre autogas tank alongside the regular fuel tank and together, these will enable an 807 mile combined range without stopping.

On to the warranty. Dacia offers an industry standard 3-year/60,000 miles guarantee from the showroom, backed by three years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance. For a little more, you can extend the cover by two years or you can up the period covered to a Kia-equalling 7 years and 100,000 miles.

Service intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles and since most Renault dealers look after Dacias too, you shouldn’t be too far from a specialist workshop. It also helps that there’s a timing chain that’ll last as long as the engine. Dacia offers a choice of pre-paid servicing schemes covering you for either two years and 24,000 miles or three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

This is without doubt the most sophisticated Dacia Duster we’ve seen yet. This Duster can take a family, take a longer trip - even, if specified properly, go off road.

In all these respects, it’s a true Duster. And we can see why you might like one.