Does a Dacia Duster with an LPG engine make sense in 2026? We drive one to find out
Car changing is a big deal
Is the cheapest engine in the Dacia Duster range only there to create that headline low entry price – or is it actually worth buying? Our colleagues from Carwow Germany have been driving the Duster Eco-G 120 to see how usable it is day-to-day
The Dacia Duster in the UK has a 140hp mild-hybrid petrol engine as the entry point to the range. But across the channel, European markets get an even cheaper engine. Called the Eco-G 120, it’s a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with an interesting feature that could help keep running costs really low.
Instead of adding a battery and motor to make it a frugal hybrid, Dacia’s gone a different route and fitted the Eco-G 120 with an LPG system. It’s not offered in the UK, but should it be? Andreas Heise from Carwow Germany has been testing it out.
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Dacia Duster Eco-G 120 – performance
The Eco-G 120 has just 122hp, making it the weakest engine in the Duster range. At the same time, it’s an interesting option because it can run on both petrol and LPG (autogas). One weakness becomes immediately apparent when pulling away: the engine feels quite sluggish. If you don’t give it enough throttle, it feels like it might stall. Once you get used to it, though, you learn to give it a bit more revs when setting off.
Once on the move, the engine feels much more comfortable. In normal town and country driving, performance feels adequate. The Duster won’t turn into a sports car – but it keeps up with traffic just fine. That said, the engine always needs revs. The more powerful 140hp mild-hybrid petrol is a bit easier to drive, especially when accelerating or on the motorway.
Our test model came with a six-speed manual gearbox. There’s little to criticise here. The shift action is clean, the gear lever feels good in the hand, and the gears engage precisely. However, compared with modern automatic gearboxes, the manual does come with a loss of comfort – especially for those now used to automatics.
The good news: the Eco-G 120 is also available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, called the Eco-G 120 Auto. In Journey trim, it costs €24,290 (£21,048) instead of €22,490 (£19,313) for the manual.
What’s the Dacia Duster LPG like to drive?
The Duster stays true to its character in this generation. The suspension is tuned more for comfort than sportiness. It smooths out bumps well, and the car feels composed on poor roads. That’s perfectly acceptable for the price, even if there are cars with more finely tuned setups. Ultimately, the Duster isn’t trying to be a dynamic SUV, but a practical everyday companion – and it succeeds.
If you want maximum comfort, you should test drive the top-spec hybrid 4×4 model. Unlike the cheaper versions, it doesn’t use a simple torsion beam rear axle but a more sophisticated multi-link setup, which improves comfort.
Petrol or LPG?
One advantage of the Eco-G 120 is its flexibility: it can run on petrol or LPG. A simple switch to the left of the steering wheel lets you change between the two fuels. In the test, the onboard computer showed an average of 44.1mpg – a solid figure for an SUV of this size. Officially, the Duster is rated at 47mpg on petrol and 38mpg on LPG.
Why LPG at all? Autogas is significantly cheaper than petrol in many countries, meaning noticeably lower running costs. This can be a strong argument, especially for high-mileage drivers. However, in the UK there aren’t that many LPG refuelling stations – about 450 spread across Great Britain and Northern Ireland – and the number is going down, not up. So an LPG Duster would only make sense if you lived close to a couple of LPG outlets.
The LPG version isn’t without drawbacks. The Duster Eco-G has two 50-litre tanks – one for petrol and one for LPG. This takes up space and reduces boot capacity. That means 453 litres of boot space, significantly less than the standard mild hybrid engine which has 517 litres of space.
It’s still enough for everyday use. But if you regularly carry lots of luggage or travel with family, the mild hybrid might be the better choice.
Dacia Duster LPG interior and practicality
Luckily, even the cheapest Duster doesn’t suffer too much in the interior. Everything is functional and clearly laid out. The cockpit is logical, with everything where you’d expect it. Materials are clearly chosen for durability rather than luxury, with hard plastics dominating throughout – especially in the rear.
Still, it doesn’t feel completely bleak. Grey and aluminium-look accents break up the design and stop it feeling like a pure commercial vehicle. Compared with earlier models, there’s been clear progress. That said, you’ll still notice details other manufacturers would hide – such as visible screws on the inside of the rear doors. It’s not particularly premium, but it fits the car’s character: honest, straightforward and no-nonsense.
As you’d expect from a family SUV, the Duster offers solid rear space. Headroom is sufficient for average-height people, and legroom is good even with taller occupants in the front. The central tunnel is relatively small, so the middle seat remains usable. Overall, for a car in this price bracket, rear space is better than you might expect.
Verdict
The Dacia Duster Eco-G 120 isn’t for those seeking performance or dynamism. The engine needs revs when pulling away and generally takes a relaxed approach. If you want more comfort, go for the automatic version. If you want more power, consider the Mild Hybrid 140 – although that’s only available with a manual gearbox.
If your priority is low-cost, straightforward motoring, the Eco-G 120 is a solid option – but should Dacia offer it in the UK? The truth is, the LPG filling network is too patchy and is only getting smaller – so there’d be very little benefit to having this model available. But it’s certainly an interesting option for European buyers who might want a cheap engine with the option to fill up at super-cheap LPG locations.
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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