Dacia Duster Cleans Up

The speed at which the Dacia (pronounced Datcher) brand is growing in the UK is staggering, bearing in mind that the name hadn't been heard of here until 2013. If you're concerned that buying a ‘new' name might be risky, don't be. Dacia has the clout of Renault and Nissan behind it.

The Dacia Duster is one of the company’s top sellers and it is already carving out an army of loyal followers. As Dacia inform us from their website, the Duster is ‘rugged, robust, no-nonsense… concentrates on the essentials rather than the unnecessary.’

Quite right too. Bearing in mind that the entry level Dacia Duster comes in at an unbelievable £9495, you end up with a proper 5-seat, 5-door SUV with loads of room to carry baggage for the same price as a small city car. If you compare like for like and hunt out the prices of other chunky SUVs, you will discover that buying a Duster will save you thousands.

‘Ah ha’, I hear you say. ‘I bet it’s ultra-basic and horrible to drive.’ Wrong and wrong.

Okay, the Access model is aimed at folk who intend to use their Dacia Duster as a workhorse, but trickle down the range to something like the Lauréate model and you will enjoy air conditioning, smart alloy wheels, DAB radio, Bluetooth, fog lights, chrome roof bars, cruise control and electric windows all round. It is a serious alternative to any other SUV. If you really want to stand out from the crowd, go for the Prestige or Summit models. You’ll get sat nav, reversing camera and can opt for leather upholstery and a host of accessories to personalise your Duster.

In terms of driving, the Dacia Duster is thoroughly enjoyable and, if you go for 4×4 transmission, you can even head across soggy ground or enjoy extra traction in slippery conditions. The steering and suspension are nicely controlled. The ride is excellent, managing to soak up lumps and bumps at town speeds whilst being sufficiently controlled on quicker roads. Thanks to the high driving position, you have a great view, making it ideal for paddling around town, doing the school run, or belting down the motorway for a family holiday. It will easily double-up as a holdall for taking garden rubbish to the tip or moving some furniture.

In terms of engine choice, you can select from either a 1.5 litre 109bhp diesel or 1.2 litre 124bhp turbo petrol engine. There’s also a 1.6 petrol option, but that’s only available on the entry level Access model. Most trim levels are available with two or four wheel drive, and there’s also an automatic. We prefer the manual ‘box.

If you live out in the sticks, go for a 4×4, but most folk will be perfectly happy with the 1.5dci front wheel drive model. That’s the one we’d recommend. You’ll get 64.2mpg. 0-60 takes a shade over 11 seconds and, at motorway speeds, progress is extremely civilised. The Duster is also perfect if you need to tow a trailer, horse box or caravan. If you want additional peace of mind, it’s worth looking at the various warranty and servicing options provided by Dacia. For example, for a very reasonable £850 you can extend the warranty to a whopping 7 years/100,000 miles.

So, if you are looking for an SUV that won’t break the bank, make sure you try the Dacia Duster. You’re in for a pleasant surprise.