THE RIVALS
NOT a huge amount has been changed on the latest Dacia Duster, and that’s a very good thing.
There’s a new grille design, Y-shape LED lights, a new rear spoiler and not a lot else. Why change such a terrific package?
You buy a Dacia Duster because you are not worried about image, keeping up with anybody whether they’re called Jones or not, and because you like value for money.
The Duster was launched in the UK in 2013 and I’ve been recommending this car to friends and family, and anyone else who’ll listen, ever since.
A few friends followed that advice and are now on their second or third. Dacia launched this facelifted Duster in Paris and had three different models for us to try.
Since we’re all about value with this car, we’ll play our part and give you a triple test in one. But first the range itself.
Very few customers in the UK have ever bought the entry-level Access trim level, so Dacia has axed it here. Your cheapest Duster is now the Essential, followed up the price ladder by the Comfort and then Prestige at the top of the tree. Because car companies always like to show off all their finest wares, all three of the Dusters that we’re driving are in flagship Prestige trim. petrol tank and a 50-litre LPG tank that together give the Bi-Fuel a range of 767 miles. That’s fantastic.
Switching between the two fuels is now done via a simple button on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. It’s virtually impossible to tell which fuel you’re running on. There are two fuel gauges to let you know what’s in the tanks.
Next up, a short drive around a simple but challenging off-road course that’s been built by Dacia just for us. Now we’re in the Prestige Blue dCi 115 4x4. It’s the most expensive model in the Duster range at an outrageous £20,845. Amazing value.
Now fitted with all-year-round tyres as standard, the Duster 4x4 laughs off inclines, demonstrates almost 30 degrees of lean without falling over and abilities that no owner will ever put to the test.
Finally, we’re driving the Prestige TCe 150 4x2 EDC – four-cylinder 1.6litre engine and the new six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Yours for £20,045. Plenty of power and a smooth-changing automatic gearbox. For town users, it makes a lot of sense.
Changes to all the Dusters’ interiors include a new high-centre console with an armrest that retracts 70mm and which also houses a closable 1.1-litre storage compartment.
All the interior upholstery materials are new and are better quality than before. Our top-of-the-range cars have Dacia’s Media Nav infotainment system with 8in touchscreens with improved graphics.
So which out of our threesome is the best buy? That depends on what you want from the car.
If you really need four-wheel drive, then the diesel is your only option. As a townie, the automatic version makes most sense for me, but I don’t really need 150bhp in a car like a Duster.
No, it’s the Bi-Fuel model that I’d want – the fuel range, potential cost saving, simplicity of the perfectly decent manual gearbox and the pleasant thrum of the three-cylinder engine.
Only MG, with its great-value EVs, comes close to Dacia in offering a lot for not much.
Well-equipped compact SUV that’s a bit boring.
A solid favourite, but doesn’t offer much more in real terms.
A bit more power and better to drive, but nine grand better?