Mat’s Car of the Day: the Dacia Duster is a brilliant SUV at a bargain price
Car changing is a big deal
Mat Watson has thoroughly tested the Dacia Duster, and he reckons you should just go right ahead and buy it if you’re after a cheap and cheerful family SUV. Here’s why.
The old Dacia Duster was very cheap and practical, but it wasn’t exactly desirable. The latest one fixes this, because it actually looks cool and it’s much better to drive than before.
After reviewing the Duster, I think it’s a car which you can buy with confidence. Here are three reasons why, as well as three annoying things to consider.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Three reasons I love the Dacia Duster
1. It looks cool
The old Dacia Duster looked a bit plain, but the latest one is a car which you’d be proud to have on your driveway. The bluff nose and rugged cladding make it look purposeful, and the triangular rear lights make it look like a much more expensive car than it is.
You don’t get short-changed by going for the cheapest version either, because other than some different alloy wheel designs all versions look pretty much the same.
2. I like the interior
It may not be as posh as the Peugeot 2008 inside, but the Duster’s cabin feels really robust and the upright dashboard has a rugged charm as well. I also like the fact you get proper buttons for the climate control, and the infotainment system, while a bit basic, is easy to use.
There’s plenty of rear legroom as well, way more than you get in a Jeep Avenger, and the 472-litre boot is among the largest in its class.
3. It’s really good to drive
You might expect a budget-friendly SUV to be a bit lacklustre behind the wheel, but the Duster feels solid and comfortable out on the road. The hybrid version is also really economical, with 50mpg easily achievable, and you can get a four-wheel drive version which can handle itself off-road far better than most family SUVs.
Dacia Duster prices and deals
The Dacia Duster starts from just under £22,000, making it around £4,000 cheaper than a Volkswagen T-Cross or Peugeot 2008. There are also some great deals available through Carwow to save you even more money.
The biggest savings can be found on the top-spec Extreme with the hybrid engine. It usually starts from £27,600, but you can get £1,800 off through Carwow. That brings it back down to the price of a basic T-Cross, but you’re getting a frugal engine and the following standard equipment:
- Surround-view camera
- Blind spot monitoring
- Wireless phone charging
- Heated seats
Three annoying things about the Dacia Duster
The Duster is a great car, but it’s not perfect. Here are three annoying things to consider before parting with your cash.
1. There’s no adaptive cruise control
The Dacia Duster isn’t available with adaptive cruise control, not even as an option. This could be annoying if you spend a lot of time on the motorway, because it’s a feature which really takes the strain out of long distance journeys. The Toyota Yaris Cross comes with adaptive cruise control as standard.
2. You can’t get a plug-in hybrid
If you’re a company car driver looking for the lowest tax rates, the Duster isn’t the SUV for you. There’s no plug-in hybrid version on offer, so if you’re after a PHEV then you’ll want to check out the Geely Starray.
3. Three-star safety rating
The Dacia Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which doesn’t look great compared to alternatives like the Peugeot 2008 which have five stars. In defence of the Dacia, it lost points mainly for a lack of active safety aids like a rear occupant detection system and driver distraction monitoring. In the event of a crash, it’ll protect you as well as most other SUVs – it’s just not quite as good at avoiding them in the first place.
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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*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.