Dacia Duster (2024): Test, Price, Configuration

The first Duster was launched in 2010 and was a commercial success. The second generation arrived in 2017 and is still the second most popular model in the range in Belgium, after the Dacia Sandero and before the Jogger, with the small electric Dacia Spring some distance away. Nearly 1,000 Dusters roll off the production line in Pitesti, Romania every day. Now it is in the third generation, which will be followed next year by an extended version with 7 seats, the Bigster.

Jeep-like

The Duster 2024 has not grown (4.34 meters), but it has become tougher than its predecessor. With its brick-shaped body, it even looks a bit like a Jeep. Nice details are also the hidden door handles at the back, the dark bumpers and the side body protectors in recycled plastic (the speckled plastic of which looks a bit sloppy).

Digital transformation

The interior is still covered with a lot of dark and hard plastic, which looks rather cheap. The basic Essential version retains its analogue counters and does not have a central infotainment screen, but there is a smartphone holder on the center console. The other versions (Expression, Extreme and Journey) get a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s modern, but you don’t get a lot of personalization options. These trim levels also get a 10.1-inch central touchscreen with a nice resolution and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, with or without a cable.

The built-in GPS uses Here maps and is an option from the second equipment level (550 euros) or standard on the top version Journey. An inductive charger for your smartphone is also possible (a third-level option, standard on the top version). The multimedia and connectivity offering is therefore quite simple, but efficient.

‘Luxurious’ gadgets and equipment

Although the atmosphere on board remains quite gloomy and plastic, the Duster 2024 is entitled to some luxury features, such as an electronic handbrake, a heated steering wheel and a heated windscreen. Automatic air conditioning and keyless entry and go are also available.

In addition, there are also some smart gadgets available, such as the YouClip mounting points (centrally on the dashboard and in front of the passenger, on the rear seats and in the trunk), on which you can mount a smartphone holder, a cup holder or other accessories.

Space for everyone

Leather is not found in the Duster 2024, but there are fabric seats (Essential, Expression and Journey) or TEP-similar leather (Extreme) that are easily washable, but also a bit sticky in warm weather. The seats are comfortable. There is plenty of legroom at the back and the backrest has a good angle and sufficient padding, including in the middle. There is no central tunnel. Unfortunately, there is no sliding rear seat, the modularity of the interior space is limited to a split-folding rear seat (60/40).

The trunk is large enough, although the LPG versions (439 liters), the hybrid (444 liters) and the 4×4 (414 liters) have less space than the TCe 130 with front-wheel drive (472 liters).

Petrol, LPG or self-charging hybrid

A new diesel Duster is no longer available, the entry-level engine is now a 1.0 three-cylinder turbo with bi-fuel functionality (petrol/LPG) of 101 hp. With two full tanks you get up to 1,300 km of autonomy in the Dacia Duster. One step higher is a three-cylinder petrol engine, the 1.2 TCe with 130 hp, which is also available with four-wheel drive. Finally, there is a 141 hp self-charging hybrid that combines a 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors.

The 1.0 on LPG is quite slow (0-100 km/h in 13.2 seconds). So we prefer the pleasant 1.2 TCe 130, which sprints to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and whose mild hybridization at 48 V provides a welcome boost during revivals. We achieved an average consumption of 6.2 to 7.9 l/100 km, depending on the driving style.

The Dacia Duster hybrid (without plug) is sufficiently powerful (0-100 km/h in 10.1 seconds), but its complex robotized gearbox lacks reactivity for a dynamic driving style. It is a powertrain that particularly excels at a leisurely pace, where it also becomes remarkably economical (average 5.4 l/100 km during our test). It is also the only Duster 2024 that you can get with an automatic gearbox, all other engines have a manual gearbox.

Less rolling and less noise

The double-flattened steering wheel fits comfortably in the hand and can now be adjusted in both height and depth. The Duster 2024 has a fairly direct steering wheel (2.8 turns between the extremes) and also leans less in corners than the Duster 2023 and previous generations. They were still on the B0 platform of the first Logan, which has now been replaced by the modern CMF-B platform of the Renault Captur and Arkana.

The Duster still emphasizes comfort, with a suspension that absorbs everything. Even the largest potholes are no problem, as we were able to test on a forest path. The Dacia Duster 4×4 (only as 1.3 TCe) can even go quite far off the beaten track thanks to a large suspension travel and an efficient descent aid, which even works in reverse.

Another advance: While still not as quiet as a luxury limousine, the Duster has become less noisy at higher speeds, making it more suitable for long highway drives.

Dacia Duster 2024 price

The Romanian manufacturer, which was taken over by Renault in 1999, is still committed to competitive prices, but has also had to succumb to inflation. The Duster has therefore become more expensive from one generation to the next. But the price/quality ratio remains unbeatable in the compact SUV segment: prices start at 18,990 euros for the LPG engine with 101 hp, 22,490 euros for the 1.2 TCe with 130 hp and at 26,190 euros for the Duster hybrid. The standard equipment is very correct and the options are cheap. The maintenance interval is also quite long (2 years/130,000 km) and the engines use a solid timing chain. The Duster also retains a strong residual value on the second-hand market.

Our verdict

The new Duster is a bull’s eye! He has a good face and climbs higher without getting too big a neck. It remains true to its essential roots and is still a lot cheaper than the competition. It’s a C-segment SUV for the price of a city car! So it’s a good buy anyway, and it’s also a nice car to live with.