Our test car was the flagship Extreme model, but it was powered by the less exciting non-electric 1.0-liter dual-fuel engine.
- We drove the Dacia Duster with the entry-level 1.0-litre dual-fuel engine and front-wheel drive.
- The third generation of the small SUV combines rugged styling with a spacious cabin.
- It retains the affordable nature of its predecessor, with prices starting at less than €20,000.
The Dacia Duster dominates the European affordable small SUV market, with 2.4 million units sold over 13 years. When the all-new third-generation model debuted earlier this year, we knew we had to have it. Thankfully, the folks at Dacia Greece handed us the keys to the flagship Extreme version of the small SUV, which is powered by a 1.0-liter dual-fuel engine.
The latest Duster continues to exude rugged appeal, with a class-leading 217 mm (8.5 in) of ground clearance. The new styling features a boxy shape with chiseled fenders, plenty of (20% recycled) plastic cladding, and modern LEDs. The interior is spacious, and prices start at less than €20,000 ($22,000), though you may notice some compromises in material quality and safety features.
More: Convert a Dacia Jogger into an affordable four-seater luxury sedan
While the SUV range is moving towards electrification, with mild-hybrid and full-hybrid models sending diesels to the scrapyard, our media car was fitted with the internal combustion-only Eco-G engine. The turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder produces 99 hp (74 kW / 100 PS) and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
What’s more, the powertrain runs on both gasoline and LPG, giving it a combined range of up to 1,300 kilometers (808 miles) between refueling stops. Unfortunately, the ECO-G is only available with front-wheel drive, while the more powerful mild-hybrid TCe 130 offers an all-wheel drive option.
Like Dacia’s entire ICE-powered range, the new Duster now rides on the modern CMF-B architecture, ditching the old B0 underpinnings that date back to the early 2000s. In addition to its Sandero and Jogger siblings, the platform is also shared with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s small hatchbacks and SUVs, including the Renault Captur, Symbioz, Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Juke.
At 4,343 mm (171 in) long, the new Duster sits at the upper end of the B-segment SUV segment, or subcompact in North American parlance. It’s 23 mm (0.9 in) longer than its predecessor, but still 204 mm (8 in) shorter than a jogger crossover.
Dacia is about to launch the Bigster, a stretched version of the Duster that will reach a length of approximately 4.6 meters (181 inches) and offer a third row of seats. Before then, the five-seat Duster has 30 mm (1.2 in) more rear legroom than its predecessor and a spacious trunk with a capacity of 472 liters (16.7 cu ft).
In the next few days we will test the Dacia Duster on the motorway, in an urban environment and on mild off-road adventures to see how much it has improved compared to its popular predecessor. If you have any questions about this Romanian SUV with a French heart, feel free to write to us and we will do our best to answer them.
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