We tested the Dacia Duster GLP, an "affordable" SUV with an ECO label

Dacia is doing very well. And largely thanks to cars like the Dacia Duster, without taking anything away from the Sandero. Recently we have seen how the new Dacia Sandero 2021 has evolved, which will surely remain a sales leader in the years to come.

But today we are here to talk about the latest addition to the Dacia Duster range: the Duster GLP with the new 100 CV 1.0 TCe engine. Let us recall that in Spain, so far in 2020, more than 10,600 LPG cars, also known as Autogas, have been sold; this represents 1.8% of the total. In this segment, that of LPG cars, Dacia is the absolute leader in our market, with a market share of around 35%.

And the Dacia Duster is the best-selling SUV among private buyers in its size class, with more than 7,000 units from January to September 2020. The new GLP version will undoubtedly allow the Dacia Duster to strengthen this position.

For those who want to know a little more about this fuel, here are 10 reasons to switch to LPG. If you are looking for an SUV at an affordable price, one that works for both city driving and long journeys or occasionally leaving the tarmac, that has the benefits of the DGT ECO label and the lowest possible cost per kilometre, you have two options: diesels with Mild Hybrid technology (and there aren’t many) or let yourself be seduced by LPG.

Almost 1,200 km of total range, ECO label

And the new Dacia Duster GLP is convincing. First of all, on price: it only costs 500 euros more than the equivalent 1.0 TCe petrol version… and 1,750 euros less than the 115 CV dCi. Second, because the car is designed from the outset to run on LPG, and the installation – which comes from the factory – imposes no practical limitations, retaining a good boot capacity. Third, because you can cover kilometres with a fuel price that means savings of around 40% compared with petrol.

Add to all this the benefits of the ECO label, the ability to travel more than 1,000 km without having to stop to refuel and, above all, how well the Dacia Duster GLP performs, and you will surely add it to your list of “future options”.

We were able to make a first acquaintance on a very varied route, with motorway and secondary roads, of almost 300 km. And we did it exclusively on LPG, except for an occasional test switching to petrol to confirm that it is practically impossible to notice any difference in engine response or performance.

We could not measure the real average consumption, which Dacia quotes at between 7.9 and 8.2 l/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle. Theoretically, that would be enough for about 420 km under efficient driving conditions, that is, with “ECO” mode selected and paying close attention to the accelerator. In our case, with driving that continually pushed the limits of the engine and chassis, consumption would have been clearly closer to 9 than to 8 litres of LPG per 100 km. It was enough to cover those 300 km we mentioned, and there was still fuel left.

The LPG tank capacity is 42 litres, of which almost 34 are usable, since safety regulations only allow the tank to be filled to 80% of its capacity. The gas level remaining in the tank is checked by the five light segments integrated into the switch used to change from LPG to petrol or vice versa, to the left of the steering wheel.

Together with the 50 litres of the petrol tank, and an approved average consumption of between 6.4 and 6.6 litres on the WLTP combined cycle, the Dacia Duster claims a range of 1,190 kilometres. Of these, 770 would correspond to petrol operation and 420 to LPG operation. The figure may be optimistic, since we already know that WLTP consumption still deviates from real-world figures. But in any case, 1,000 km is practically assured even if you drive without worrying too much about consumption. And of those, 40% at an unbeatable price per kilometre, one that not even the turbodiesel Duster reaches.

Better performance, pleasant driving

But the best part is that, unlike the Duster GLP with the 1.6 naturally aspirated engine, efficiency and low consumption are now not at odds with pleasant driving… and with better performance, despite having less power. LPG suits the small three-cylinder 1.0 indirect-injection engine with 100 CV perfectly, moving the Duster with a smoothness as surprising as the agility you get if you play your cards well with the gear lever.

Dacia did not take the opportunity to fit a six-speed gearbox, which would have suited this Duster very well. The five-speed unit remains, with long ratios. Even so, the result is good, because the engine does not get noisy and barely vibrates – as the previous four-cylinder 1.6 used to – when you take advantage of its willingness to rev high. It offers performance equivalent to the 100 CV petrol 1.0 TCe, more than enough to move around the city with ease, tackle motorway journeys or get about with the car loaded while driving calmly, because the Duster is not a heavy car.

The LPG version increases the final weight by about 60 kg compared with the petrol 1.0 TCe, but it stays well below 1,300 kg. With the LPG installation, towing capacity with brakes drops by 100 kg (from 1,400 to 1,300 kg); however, it gains 30 kg when towing an unbraked trailer (from 630 to 660 kg).

Installing the LPG tank in the place where the rest of the Dacia Duster can fit a spare wheel of standard size or an emergency one is not a problem either, although you will have to make do with a puncture repair kit. The Duster GLP still offers a very capable and usable boot, with the gas tank not affecting its regular shape, being fully integrated under the floor.

Dynamically, the Duster GLP shows no noticeable differences compared with the petrol Duster either. Both the suspension and the steering feel are smooth, aiming for comfort; and it achieves this without compromising stability or ease of driving. The more than 200 mm of ground clearance allows you to enjoy a few adventures off the tarmac.

https://youtu.be/f-nEOXYkKt8

Range and prices of the Dacia Duster GLP

Dacia offers the Duster GLP in three trim levels. The prices, with the discount currently in force, which any buyer can benefit from, are as follows:

• Duster GLP Essential: 15,565 euros
• Duster GLP Prestige: 18,365 euros
• Duster GLP SL Aniversario: 18,565 euros

Although the Essential version is very attractive, with a “hook” price of under 15,600 euros, in reality Dacia sells most Duster models with the higher trim levels. The Prestige is worth stepping up to, because there are not many ways to complete the standard equipment of the entry version through the options list.

However, compared with the Essential, the Prestige adds air conditioning, chrome roof rails, blind-spot presence detection, specific upholstery, rear electric windows, 17-inch alloy wheels, parking assistance with camera, lumbar and height adjustment for the driver’s seat, armrests and tinted glass.

As additional benefits, since it has an ECO label and runs on gas, buyers of the Duster GLP can qualify for an additional purchase grant of 400 euros under the Plan Renove. And as part of the agreement that Renault maintains with Repsol, until 31 December a LPG fuel card worth 300 euros is added, so the first 4,000 km come “free”.

Dacia Duster GLP image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadDacia Duster24 versions · from 19,990 €