Thinking of buying a used Dacia Duster?
The style of the car
The Duster has classic SUV looks, with a chunky shape and high ground clearance. Most versions of the latest model (on sale new since 2017) have silver roof rails that look great and add an extra layer of practicality because they can be used to attach a roof box or bike rack. High-spec models have alloy wheels. High-spec models have a dashboard touchscreen display and a row of circular dials for the climate control system that add a touch of class. Special edition models have unique styling details on the exterior and interior.
How it drives
The Duster is quiet and comfortable enough for long motorway journeys and feels safe and stable even in bad weather. Some models have four-wheel drive for extra reassurance, while the Duster’s compact size, light steering and large windows make town driving and manoeuvring easy. High-spec models have parking sensors and a rear-view camera. You can choose petrol or diesel engines which all provide adequate acceleration and have a manual gearbox. The most powerful models can tow 1500kg.
The Dacia Duster is one of our favourite used cars for towing, check out our list.
The interior
The Duster is a compact SUV with five doors and five seats. It’s an ‘in between’ size, bigger than the Renault Captur, but smaller than the Renault Kadjar. The Duster’s interior isn’t as sophisticated as that of more expensive cars but it’s simple, solid and user-friendly. Four adults fit comfortably, though tall people might feel cramped in the back seats. The middle back seat is quite narrow although a couple of growing children will have more than enough space. There are two sets of Isofix mounts on the back seat. The boot has room for three large suitcases and the back seats fold down to create even more space. The entry-level Access model comes with little standard equipment (you don’t even get a radio). Beyond that though, all Dusters have air con, DAB radio and Bluetooth. Top-spec Prestige models have sat nav, climate control and part-leather seats.
Running costs and reliability
The Duster costs much less to buy than any other SUV. All but the entry-level Access model are well equipped for the money, particularly the top-spec Prestige model. Petrol-powered models return fuel economy of 40-47mpg, according to official figures, while the diesel returns as much as 57mpg. The Duster costs no more than £150 per year to tax and insurance costs are very low. Safety experts Euro NCAP gave the Duster a three-star safety rating out of five because of a lack of driver assistance systems, rather than a lack of crash protection.
How it compares with similar cars
The Duster is larger than the Nissan Juke but smaller than the Nissan Qashqai. The inexpensive Duster isn’t as sophisticated as most of its rivals, which have better quality interiors, feel a bit more pleasant to drive and have more advanced safety systems. But those SUVs cost more, and aren’t nearly as capable when driving off-road.
