Cheapest vs most expensive: which Dacia Duster should you buy?
Car changing is a big deal
The Dacia Duster is one of the UK’s most affordable SUVs, but there’s a difference of almost £6,000 between the cheapest and the most expensive versions. Which one is the best value for money? Read on to find out.
It’s really easy to recommend the Dacia Duster. It’s one of the cheapest SUVs on sale today, but it’s still a very lovely thing. It looks great, comes with a decent amount of standard equipment and it’s good to drive as well.
With prices starting from a smidge under £22,000, it’s around £4,000 cheaper than a Volkswagen T-Cross and it’s £5,000 less than a Peugeot 2008. However, if you fancy splashing the cash you can spend up to £27,600 on a new Duster.
But which car represents the best value for money? Well we’re going to compare the cheapest Dacia Duster you can buy with the most expensive to see what you get.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster: a quick overview
The Dacia Duster range kicks off with the Expression model, and in its cheapest form you’ll be getting the 1.2-litre petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox. It costs just under £22,000
On the other end of the scale we have the top-spec Extreme model, which will cost you £24,300 when specced with the 1.2-litre petrol engine. However, go for the 155hp hybrid version and you’ll push the price up to £27,600, making it the most expensive Duster you can buy before options.
There is a version in between these two called the Journey, and this car starts from £23,545.
If you want to save even more money on your new Duster, make sure you check out the latest offers on Carwow. You can currently save up to £1,760 on this rugged SUV, making it even more of a bargain.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster: standard equipment
The most important difference between these two Dusters is the standard equipment – what exactly do you get for your money?
There used to be a model below the Expression called the Essential, and this had steel wheels and no infotainment system. Dacia recently dropped this version, and now the entry-level car comes with more kit than you might expect.
You get a reversing camera, a central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital driver’s display, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers. The Journey adds a surround-view camera system and automatic air conditioning.
Stepping up to Extreme trim does get you a lot of added luxury. You get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and clever modular roof bars which you can configure to carry different loads.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster: design
Whether you go for the Expression or the Extreme versions of the Duster, they both look handsome and rugged. That said, the top-spec car does get a couple of visual upgrades.
It has two-tone 18-inch wheels, replacing the 17-inch rims you get on the basic car, and there are some copper accents as well on the door mirrors and badging. Beyond this, it’s quite difficult to tell the two cars apart.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster: interior
Stepping inside, both of these cars share exactly the same dashboard design and get the same amount of practical storage spaces. That said, the Extreme gets a couple of upgrades.
The seats are trimmed in a clever fabric called MicroCloud, which not only feels nicer than the standard material but is also easier to wipe down after mucky outdoor activities thanks to a plastic coating.
The dashboard is also finished in a funky green plastic, and this is continued on the door cards as well. The plastics themselves are still hard and scratchy regardless of which trim you choose, but it also feels really solid and hard wearing.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster: engines and driving
If you want an automatic gearbox, you’ll have to go for the hybrid version of the Dacia Duster. This is available as an option on all trim levels, so if you decide the basic car is the one for you then you can still opt for two pedals.
Gearbox aside, we reckon the hybrid engine is worth spending the extra for. It’ll add around £3,250 to the cost of your car, but it’s smooth, powerful and will return up to 61mpg. The 1.2-litre petrol version tops out at 52mpg.
If you want to keep costs to a minimum and don’t mind changing gears yourself, the 140hp petrol engine is perfectly cromulent. It’s pokey enough, the manual gearbox is nice to use and 52mpg is not to be sniffed at.
Beyond the engines, all versions of the Duster are exactly the same from behind the wheel. You don’t get any suspension upgrades as you move up the range, but that’s no issue because the Duster’s setup handles the bumps really well.
Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Duster final verdict: which should you buy?
If all you want is a Dacia Duster for as little money as possible, we’d have no problem recommending the cheapest version you can get. It’s great to drive, comes with a decent amount of standard equipment and the basic engine is nippy and frugal.
However, if your budget can stretch to it then the top-spec version is incredible value for money. If you stick to the 1.2-litre petrol engine, it only costs around £2,300 more than the Expression, but you’re getting a lot more for your money.
But the best-value Duster is the most expensive one – the Extreme with the hybrid engine. This range-topper still only costs the same as the most basic Peugeot 2008, and if you want that car with a hybrid engine it’ll cost over £2,000 more.
You could pick any version of the Dacia Duster and get incredible value for money, but the hybrid Extreme gets you a smooth, efficient and powerful engine, lots of desirable kit and some styling upgrades for not much cash.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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