Dacia Duster SUV 2013 review - CarBuyer

There's nothing like the Dacia Duster for value on the new car market. Sure, the entry-level model doesn't even have a radio, but it still feels well put together and will be able to cope with the rough and tumble of family life. There's a choice of efficient two-wheel drive or capable four-wheel drive, while the top-spec Lauréate is well equipped for around £3,000 less than rivals like the Nissan Qashqai. The only real downside is the fact that electronic stability control is only an option on Ambiance and Lauréate specs. But the Duster is a resolute game changer - it's still hard to believe you can get this much car for that low a price. That's why we've named it CarBuyer Car of the Year 2013.

[Jyu_voile_grace]

i dont think alot of people here really appreciate this car but to be honest, this has done a phenomenal job in india where it is known as the renault duster. the reason alot of people from other countries dont appreciate this might have to do with their road conditions. in india the roads are horrible. absolutely horrible. and this champ takes in all the bad bits of the roads with no fuss at all. also i think because its done so good in India, the manufacturer has taken indian market seriously because our model lineup has got over 8-10 models! with 3 engine options and 2 transmissions! and in 2016 the company even introduced an amt.
in any case, kudos to renault/dacia for making this little beast.

[GlossaME]

Thumbs up Matt for explaining the star NCAP rating.

[chapmasi]

After reading a lot of the comments on this page it's clear people have their favourites and they have their dislikes. The reliability stats on these vehicles come from all over the world so can't all be false. I'm 35, I've been driving 15 years and I've owned all sorts of cars from a battered £75 Capri to a 4yr old Alfa 166 (ironically over 5 years the most reliable car I've ever owned!) 

So many car marques use cross brand part these days even buying a Nissan or a Toyota doesn't mean your engine isn't French, or it wasn't put together in Poland etc.... 

Don't hate on people for not wanting to spend a lot on motoring, most cars sit on the driveway for 22-23hrs a day just depreciating. I think for people who just want peace of mind, a nice long warranty and like their cars new, these Dacia cars seem great value. 

[GibPiperTarik]

I've had a 4X2 Duster for over a year now. It is very practical, very comfortable and very easy to drive. The exterior design is simple but the chunky, rugged looks do impress (as does the price tag!). Interior-wise, the UK-spec cars are much better than the 2011-2013 models sold in Europe, but keep an eye out for the new 2014 one, it is has been improved dramatically.

I bought mine with the 1.6L 105bhp naturally aspirated petrol engine. If you plan on going on the highway, avoid this engine like the plague. At low speeds it packs a punch and eager to drive, but get it past 100km/h and it feels gutless. Mated with the 5-speed gearbox, it is noisy and very thirsty and I have to keep thrashing the engine to keep in speed. If you're going for one of the current models, go for the 1.5L 110bhp dCi turbocharged diesel or wait for the new model and go for their excellent new 1.2L 125bhp turbocharged petrol engine, both mated to a 6 speed.

Aside from the poor engine choice, the car is functional and great. Highly recommend it with the dCi engine.

[sssssneaker]

Kudos for explaining that EuroNCAP rating thing. Countless other press reviews only give you the numbers, and I always felt this car deserves a bit more info on that.

[appelpower]

This would be the ultimate defender in car football, given that it's a sport to be played on a budget.

[amightyatom]

For anyone interested in the safety ratings, look up ncap test. A few tests were marginal and drivers door opened in side impact.

[gicapopescu]

Now, when Duster reached 1 million sales worldwide in more than than 100 countries, any other stupid comment is  useless.

[yvugdir]

The Duster is sweet!!!! Feels almost like the ghost of the Lada Niva ;)

[spudboy]

i have just got one of these and its so fast I sold my Ferrari

[DarthGhitza]

Dacia is a Romanian company (owned by Renault, but still Romanian). In Romania all roads are full of CRATERS, not pot-holes.... CRATERS. After I leave home, when I get to work my brains are already fried by all the bumps in the road. That's why the suspension is good, because it's built to roll on Romanian roads... :))  

[abrarmohammed]

in a country like India the duster is kind of luxury

[Trance]

I really like the looks of this car. Very rugged looking but it doesn't have that monster SUV styling. It looks more like a jacked up station wagon.

[LRS]

It amazes me how much the auto industry spoils us...I Imagine that if I was offered this car at the beginning of the 90´s, I would be glad, but nowadays I find myself looking at details such as "those wheels are made of steel" and "look at that wimpy thin steering wheel", "damn these hard shiny plastics" and such. But it seems like a good rugged basic car, and yet makes me feel like I am in the 90´s. Good review. I like the fact he doesn´t mock the car.

[darkomerc]

my dad is driving for 35 years and the same thing... i thought in the beginning that anyone can drive but later i learned that anyone can learn to drive but actual driving is a different thing...

[Mamsaturatdevoi]

Here's some reasons: A monovolume or StationWagon don't have nearly the ground clearance that a SUV has nor do they have suspensions that deal so easily with potholes and bad roads(which Romania is full of). Also, a SUV looks MUCH better than a Monovolume or SW.A lot of people just want a bigger hatchback with more room and big ground clearance and good suspension for bad roads.And for those people a SUV like the Duster is just what they need.

[optimusone]

I also saw a Dacia Logan taxi, in Cluj, witch had 780.000 km on it :)) The guy said he never changed the engine or anything major, except for the clutch, witch is to be expected on a manual gearbox taxi.

[turpioSE]

same as BMW- you must pay for basic option like alloy wheels, quality stereo or park sensors. Dacia is better value though.

[GibPiperTarik]

I own this car. One of the best decisions I've ever made.

[ManeleNation]

Awesome review explaining the euroNCAP rating, and also the "full option" model look better whit alloy wheels, and some cosmetic enchancements.Great job Matt, also he is the only one who pronunces Dacia corectly :).