Dacia Duster
Updated family SUV gets exterior tweaks and a comfier, betterequipped interior On sale Late summer Price from £12,500 (est)
The UK’S cheapest new family SUV benefits from an upgraded interior
AS ANY YOUNGER sibling will tell you, sometimes you just have to wait your turn. While a whole host of Dacias have made their debuts in recent months, the Duster family SUV has been sitting in the corner, patiently waiting to receive its mid-life refresh. And, finally, here it is.
Its new look adopts more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a wider choice of alloy wheels and new headlights with LED indicators, all designed to help the Duster stand out against rivals that include the MG ZS and Skoda Kamiq.
The engine line-up is mostly unchanged; the 89bhp 1.0-litre petrol TCE 90 is the cheapest choice, with the 128bhp 1.3-litre TCE 130 petrol – our pick for the current Duster – next, and the 148bhp 1.3-litre TCE 150 topping the line-up.those who rack up a lot of miles can choose a 113bhp 1.5-litre diesel or a bi-fuel 1.0-litre TCE 100 that runs on petrol or liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
Inside, a new 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system replaces the 7.0in screen of the old car.the entry-level system gets a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports and a wired smartphone connection for Apple Carplay and Android Auto, while paying for an upgraded system adds on-board sat-nav and wireless smartphone mirroring.
There are also new seats that are promised to be more supportive for greater comfort on longer journeys, and there’s a new centre console with a wider armrest and two additional USB sockets.
There’s no change to the Duster’s passenger space, so it’ll just about take three adults in the back.the boot is unchanged, too, and that’s no bad thing; it’s big by family SUV standards, and particularly so at this price point.
That said, pricing has yet to be officially confirmed. However, an expected starting price of around £12,500 would allow the Duster to retain its title of being the cheapest new SUV you can buy.