Test drive of the Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe 150: Is it really a low-cost car?

We have already put the Dacia Duster to the test with the 150 hp 1.3 TCe engine, a car that has proven it can cope in virtually every situation and that, without a doubt, becomes a smart buy.

The second generation of the Dacia Duster reached the market last year with the responsibility of replacing one of the best-selling SUVs on the market. Its task is anything but easy, since the brand had to develop its new model under one main principle: it had to remain a low-cost car.

So the main question is whether this characteristic shows in the most important aspects and whether it can compete with the rest of the rivals in the competitive SUV segment. The Dacia Duster goes head to head with well-known models such as the Nissan Qashqai, which we have just tested, or the Seat Ateca, but all at a starting price much lower than theirs.

Compared with the first generation launched in 2014, the Dacia Duster is now a much more well-rounded product. The quality of its interior and its fit and finish have improved, it offers very comfortable driving and enough interior space to make it a good family car.

Buyers of the Dacia Duster should bear in mind that buying the cheapest SUV on the market comes with some drawbacks, but the question is whether these are important enough that the price difference with its rivals is not a sufficient reason to buy.

An attractive and robust design

First of all, the body of the Dacia Duster measures 4.34 metres in length, making it 5 centimetres shorter than a Nissan Qashqai but 9 centimetres longer than an Fiat 500 X. It therefore sits in a middle ground between C-segment SUVs and urban SUVs.

Its exterior design has gained a lot over the first generation, since although it is not groundbreaking and does not grab attention, we can say it is at least correct. It has a truly robust look from whichever angle you view it, and the 21 centimetres of ground clearance make it clear that it is far more capable off the tarmac than the vast majority of crossovers on the market.

At the front, a generous metallic-effect plastic trim (standard on the Prestige and Explore trim levels) and headlights with very straight shapes stand out, giving the impression of a powerful car.

Moving to the side, you get the same impression: straight lines and a ridge running along the lower part of the car and around both wheel arches. Inside these sit attractive 17-inch alloy wheels. To finish off this adventurous look, the Dacia Duster has two roof rails fitted in a metallic finish.

The rear of the Dacia Duster is the part that differs most from the generation launched in 2014. Here the star is the square-shaped lights, whose light signature is reminiscent of a gunsight. In the Xplore trim, which our unit was finished in, a plastic protector with the same finish as the front is included.

A simple but appealing interior

Continuing the theme of the Dacia Duster’s exterior, its cabin also has an understated design and a passable material quality. The item we liked least were the air vents, with a feel too light that makes you afraid to move them with much vigour. Aside from that last detail, the fit and finish are not bad and give the impression of a robust interior.

Practically everywhere you touch is hard plastic, but the good fit and finish means we don’t hear any creaks or rattles. The driving position of the Dacia Duster is very acceptable: it has the high seating position typical of the SUV segment, a multifunction steering wheel of generous diameter finished in a pleasant leather-like material, and a centre console angled slightly towards the driver so everything is within reach.

Here, a infotainment system screen stands out, with a somewhat dated look and a size of 7 inches. However, it has a simple and pleasant interface to use, so we really don’t need much more. What does clash is the USB port in the upper right corner, which could have been fitted with a cover so it isn’t left exposed.

Lower down there is a piano-black panel with the car’s most important functions and, below it, the climate control controls taken directly from the Renault Kadjar. The gear knob is also the same one found in the French SUV.

More attractive in the Xplore trim

If you choose the Dacia Duster in the Xplore trim, the cabin gains a lot in attractiveness. It adds a good number of red details, such as on the air vents and around the gear lever. In addition, the upholstery has a grey and red tartan design, red stitching, and the “Duster” emblem embroidered on the seatbacks.

The rear seat space is very reasonable, so two people can travel in full comfort and even three can manage without becoming Siamese twins should an emergency arise.

The boot of the Dacia Duster has a capacity of 411 litres, a figure that places it below models such as the Hyundai Tucson tested by our colleagues at Highmotor (459 litres), but above the Suzuki Vitara (375 litres) or the Opel Mokka X (350 litres).

An engine that is not very suitable for the Dacia Duster

The engine of the Dacia Duster we tested is the 1.3 TCe petrol with 150 hp, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. This powerplant, the famous one developed by Renault and Mercedes-Benz, has shown us it has more than enough power to move the 1,271 kilos the car weighs with vigour.

It is an engine with strength at all times, so overtaking can be done with complete confidence. However, this engine has been updated to add 20 horsepower over the 1.3 TCe that offers 130, which already had ideal power for this car. Therefore, it may not be worth paying the just over 500 euros difference between the two.

The problem is that if you choose the Xplore trim, only the 150 hp version can be selected, so the most sensible option is the Prestige trim, where you can choose the 130 hp configuration.

The main problem of the 150 hp engine is its fuel consumption, since it is very easy to climb to 8 litres without noticing, a figure that is too high for a car with the aspirations of the Dacia Duster. On the other hand, if we opt for the 130 hp 1.3 TCe, consumption will be around 6.5 litres, so you will have made a much smarter purchase.

Good ride comfort for taking the whole family

The driving behaviour of the Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe is completely focused on ride comfort, making it a real distance-eater. The car has good composure on the road and a very soft suspension that absorbs road imperfections without any problem.

Where the Dacia Duster is not especially comfortable is on roads with bends, so if you face a mountain pass, it is best to take it calmly. Its suspension is too soft for these situations, so the body roll does not inspire much confidence and the limited lateral grip of its seats means you will have to hold on to the steering wheel as if there were no tomorrow.

The steering is overly assisted and very low-geared, so at no point does it encourage a sportier drive, and it forces you to turn the wheel too much even when entering a roundabout. However, this problem is not specific to the Dacia, but comes straight from the higher-end models, and the feel is exactly the same as in the Renault Kadjar.

As for the gearbox feel, which is correct and entirely typical of a car of this kind, with long throws and gear ratios that allow the engine to run relaxed at high cruising speeds.

Equipment that keeps pace

The Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe 150 Xplore is the top of the range, so it comes with more than enough equipment to meet our needs. Standard equipment includes driver-assistance features such as cruise control/speed limiter, brake assist, hill start assist, blind-spot detection and a rear parking camera.

On the other hand, this trim comes as standard with features such as the infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, single-zone climate control and electrically folding mirrors. The Dacia Duster offers all this for a price starting at 17,050 euros, that is, 13,000 euros less than a Nissan Qashqai Tekna+. Not bad, is it?

Can you tell the Dacia Duster is a cheap car?

At first glance, the Dacia Duster has a robust look that by no means betrays its low-cost nature. However, if we take a closer look, we can find some details that do not really clash, but do make its price difference with its rivals more understandable.

It is in the car’s profile where we can spot some details that allow the Dacia Duster to be the cheapest SUV on the market:

First of all, it is easy to notice that the wings are wider than the area where the front door begins. Rather than racking their brains with complicated details, the Romanian brand has used a plastic trim piece as the link between both parts, which in no way distorts the overall look.

Another element that tells us we are looking at a low-cost car is the covering of the rear wheel arch. If we crouch down to see what is under the front wheels, we can see the typical plastic wheel arch, but if we do the same at the rear, the chassis is exposed. It is not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it has allowed them to save a few euros and it is not something that particularly clashes.

Dacia uses components across its whole range

Moreover, one of the characteristics of the Dacia is that it uses body components common to its entire range. In this way, we notice that the mirrors are exactly the same as those found on a Dacia Sandero or a Dacia Lodgy. It is not the only component: for example, the front doors are also shared. Speaking of doors, another detail that catches the eye is the exposed lock barrel for opening and closing the car, something more typical of 1980s cars.

Therefore, the fact that the Dacia Duster costs half as much as its rivals shows in some aesthetic aspects. However, they are not especially important and you can perfectly well live with them, so you have to look very closely to notice its shortcomings.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadDacia Duster24 versions · from 19,990 €