What’s it like?
Damned hard to criticise. Alright, so the Duster isn’t going to win any awards for originality or meticulous build quality, but to these eyes it’s a stout, handsome and distinctive car, and certainly doesn’t look as if it’s been designed on a shoestring.
The Duster’s cabin looks a little more obviously ‘no-frills’ than its exterior. We drove a range-topping model fitted with body-coloured fascia trims, but they did little to jazz up the interior. Plastics are hard to the touch in places, flimsy and coarsely finished in others, and instruments and switchgear look and feel out of date here and there. At least it’s all hard-wearing.
There are three powertrain options: a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 114bhp, or a 1.5-litre dCi commonrail turbodiesel with either 84- or 108bhp. The 84bhp diesel is only available with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual ‘box; the two more powerful options are offered with a switchable four-wheel drive system that works via an electronically actuated torque converter.
The 108bhp oil-burner is arguably the most capable option in the range, coming with a six-speed ‘box with an extra-short first gear ratio for use offroad. Dacia opted not to fit a low range transfer ‘box to the Duster on the grounds that it would add weight, cost and complexity. As it is, the range-topping Duster tips the scales at 1250kg, making it quite agile over very challenging terrain.
Independent suspension all-round helps the all-wheel driven Dusters keep four wheels on the ground over steep tumps and through troughs, while the front-driven ones have an H-shaped torsion bar suspension system at the rear.
The latter makes them marginally less capable off road, but also allows for more boot space. And yet with approach and departure angles of better than 30 degrees, more than 200mm of ground clearance, and a chassis and underbody that’s been reinforced in case it should come into contact with passing topography, even the two-wheel driven Dusters are capable of clambering much further offroad that you’d think.
The Duster we drove on the road – a 1.5-litre, 84bhp, front-driven dCi – had decent enough performance for everyday use. Ride quality, rolling refinement and ‘NVH’ were a little below class standards, just as you might expect from a car that costs £4000 less than the, err, class standard.
The seats were a little short on support too, and the absence of reach adjustment on the steering column could be significant for taller drivers.
Still, the Duster steered fluently and accurately and gripped the tarmac well on its hybrid offroad tyres.
Should I buy one?
Depends how you feel about austerity. This car isn’t a work of engineering brilliance, for sure: at times it would feel noisy, dated and cheap compared to more expensively engineered small 4x4s.
But at other times – most of the time, probably – we suspect you’d feel rather pleased with your decision to buy a Dacia Duster. This is a car with surprising offroad credentials; more than adequate on-road abilities; as much passenger and luggage space as a small estate car; and that your can buy for £4k less than the cheapest Skoda Yeti.
As such, it’s a compact offroader for people who didn’t think they could afford one. And as such, it’s an incredible amount of car for your money: a bargain of the kind that rarely comes along in the market for new cars.
Join the debate
jonfortwo
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
Its completely Fab and i want one right now, why do we have to wait until 2012?
Jon Hardcastle
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
I have to say this looks bang on. Given the expected price tag etc. a total bargain...... Have Renault out Skodered Skoda?
mowgli100
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
I had the chance to test drive the 1.6i Duster recently here in Germany. I must say I was impressed. Great looks, very good levels of comfort and lots of space. Prices here start at 11.900,- € (about 10.300,- in pounds) with very basic levels of equipment. But a decent pertol Duster with a/c, stereo, electric windows, remote central locking, leather seats and alloy wheels costs 14.400,- € (about 12.500,- in pounds) . A real bargain! 4-wheel drive is optional at 1.800,- € (about 1.500,- in pounds) The 110 HP Diesel is 2.000,- € more (about 1.700,- in pounds) Yes, noise levels are slightly higher and there are no fashionable soft touch plastics, but who cares... Sales of the Duster started on april 17th here and there is already a wait list until the end of the year for certain versions... I'm not surprised!
Abarthuk.com
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
I was going to comment on would it compare to a Fiat Sedici, but I notice Fiat UK have stopped selling them - I think I've only ever seen 1 on the road. But I guess the comparison still works with its sister the Suzuki SX4 that starts at £11750.
Straff
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
If that comes into the UK at around £11k I'll eat my own earwax.
And we all know how horrible that tastes - right, kids?
Copyright Rick in The Young Ones
humphrey the pug
Better start harvesting your earwax!
You had better get eating as I have just come back from the Duster drive and evaluation and it will definately be starting at sub £10k!
steve-t
duster price
Get a big spoon full as it starts at sub 9k
2xtrouble
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
Will it carry a family of 4/5, a dog and camping stuff if needed? - Yes
Does it look half decent? - Undeniably yes
Would you rather have one than a second/third hand Astra Estate? - Most probably
Does it go as well as a Golf and have soft plastics? - Does it matter? Most prob not.
Will it sell in UK? - Yes certainly at the sort of prices quoted.
Audi A3 2.0TDi S-Line / Subaru Legacy Tourer
Vimeous
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
Sounds like it might be good enough off-road to replace the legions of ancient SJ's and Vitara's treading the rough-stuff!
JackB
Re: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 85 4x2
Did you know that in 1Q of 2010 Dacia Sandero was 5th best-selling car in France? In March alone it even came second (if you count new-shape and old-shape Clios separately)!
Although I quite like the Duster and its appearance on the market is quite refreshing, I must say it qualifies as a bargain only if you can accept poorly-equipped versions. I made a quick comparison with Kia Soul CRDi with 1.6, 128 PS diesel engine, 6 airbags, ESP, aircon, 16-inch alloys, USB/MP3 radio with wheel-mounted controls, 4 electric windows (...) and if you tried to spec the Duster to this level you'd end up with a much pricier and slower car. And the Soul is an surprisingly large inside. A
Admittedly, the Dacia has a 4x4 option, which is a strong argument in its favour.
Pages
Add your comment