2023 Dacia Duster Review: Affordable, rugged and better than ever.

Since launching in 2013, the Dacia Duster has been a firm favourite for UK car buyers looking for practical and rugged motoring on a budget. Over the past ten years, Dacia have had the job of evolving the Duster while retaining the characteristics that made it such a popular choice in the first place. This latest refresh shows that Dacia continue to be onto a winner, as the 2023 Dacia Duster feels a little more premium without losing any of its charm. Watch our Dacia Duster review to learn more.

[clawrence]

After 21 years of having various Audi cars, I decided I just wasn’t going to pay that sort of money any more as Audi’s prices have risen astronomically like many other car manufacturers. I had a test drive in a Duster and surprised myself by liking it. A lot. Bought a Journey 1.3, put some decent tyres on it (Michelin CrossClimates) sourced a space saver spare wheel, and now I have an amazing car that is a complete workhorse, carrying bales of hay, animal feed, in a cavernous boot. It’s a genuinely nice car to drive, drifts over the British potholes in the roads with its fairly soft suspension, and does everything you want and nothing that you don’t. It has climate control, 360 degree cameras for parking, parking sensors, cruise control, speed limiter, touchscreen media unit with wireless Apple Carplay, automatic folding wing mirrors, heated seats. For the price I have no idea how Dacia do it - unless every other car manufacturer is ripping us off big time! Loving the car. Thanks Dacia!

[RCH]

One of my good mates has just bought a brand new one of these, to replace his current 2019 Duster. He's had Jaguar and Mercedes amongst many premium brands, but he's been converted to Dacia! Think that says a lot! I work in the car trade myself and the newer models have come on in leaps and bounds from the early models! They're amazing value and higher spec than many premium models, where many items are options!

[hikerwoody]

Superb car, just focuses on the essential items rather than useless overpriced tech. These cars are cracking buys and will definitely stand the test of time due to their simple design approach. The 1st gear shift on the 4x4 is much shorter than the 4x2, the 4x2 will also give an 8% better fuel return. Looks nice in that color

[janeduce]

I'm on my second. Just got the new 4x4 limited with faux leather interior and heated seats. Fantastic. Will not go back to premium brands. Duster wins.

[andrewmorgan]

Took a test drive in a new Extreme SE in that nice dusty Khaki a couple of weeks back. Fantastic car. Collected one last week!!! Comfortable, great drive, feels well put together. LED day lamps and indicators, auto unlock, keyless ignition, apple carplay, climate control, cruise, speed limiter, heated front seats, part faux-leather trim, all-round cameras. Incredible value for a brand new car and around 5 grand less than a 4-year old low mileage Peugeot Rifter i'd also short-listed and test-driven. Cannot recommed highly enough. My son is an apprentice-served mechanic and has been with BMW for over 10 years and says he's never heard a bad word about them.

[simonp]

Great review probably the best non biased reviews I have watched, thanks for the down to earth honest review that shows what the duster does so well being a great car at a great price.

[mattsmith]

Got a 21 plate 2wd petrol, Comfort, love it. It’s comfortable, practical and nippy enough around town. Would by another when the time comes.

[Discoretrox]

I was looking at a 2nd hand mazda 6 or mondeo estate but seriously tempted to spend a bit extra and get a brand new one of these.

[ltr]

Got the 1.3 petrol and use it like a camper van for my week long hiking trips, seats down in the back and it carries 5 foot lenghts of tree for my log burner, plus its grandkid friendly so its easy to clean .
Clutch pedal space is not a problem to me, scratchy plastic, who the hell drives there car and plays with the plastic ???, currently getting 47, 3 mpg, got enough bells and whistles to keep me happy and not overwhelmed by needless tech .

[bbej]

You mentioned the cheap scratchy plastic interior who cares you drive it not live in it .if BMW put cheap plastic in its cars no one would say a word badge snobbery.

[xadventure_pl]

I'm so impressed by how the Dacia Duster manages to offer so much value without compromising on performance. Great video!

[ivancsapod]

Very good video. I really like these sensible style reviews, thanks. I had the chance to drive a Duster not long ago with the old 1.6-liter engine, and to tell the truth, I enjoyed it. It was comfortable, perfectly suited my calm driving style, and for me it was spacious. To "top" it all, it had a roof bar, just what I need to transport my bike and kayak easily. I'm thinking of obtaining one, I just have to make up my mind whether to go for a new car or have a look around the used market...

[mwbpo]

I agree, all RHD Dacia cars have limited room on the left hand side of the clutch pedal, so you can't use the footrest, especially if you are like me with size UK 12.5. Great cars though.

[markgriffiths]

I’m very disappointed it doesn’t come with a walnut facia with leather heated seats and a Boss music system. What’s the world coming to.

[Narinjas]

Interested in the Dacia Bigster, the upcoming electric SUV from Dacia that is based on the duster, but i hope we get a big enough batter, and an updated more aerodynamic front.

[viktorroswell]

Got 2 a18 manual and a 22 auto, can’t be beaten for value

[ohyesitsme]

Why has it still got the previous version dash panel. The new level have elongated air vents and not the round ones as shown here.

[grantfryer]

I traded my xtype sovereign estate with all bells and whistles 2.2 diesel for a 13 plate 4x4 duster and trust me i'm gonna get another duster for da wife.. great practical car forget the the badge snobs!

[geartesthr]

Bought it in may. It rusted in 4 months of mediterranean summer all over rear springs and axle. Drivers seat was doing click clacking. Windows got foggy after change of altitude. Aircon was useless. Had breaks pneumatics issues few times. Cooler would run wildly after shuting the car down. It would last for 20 minutes and was extreamely loud. Also blind spot sensors were absolutely useless. If it was dark or rain they would just go on off with nobody around me. Not to mention the smell of interior plastics when car would stay in summer sun for some time. I had to vent it out every time bit not because of heat but smell of plastic. Also the plastic on the door frames where your butt is touching when you are going in got scratched in 2 months from jeans. All in all for 27000€ I really expected all of this after 5 years not 5 months.

[musoseven]

The 2WD version with M&S or Cross Climate type tyres on works well off road too. Iirc both 2WD and 4WD have decent tyres on them from new.

Does the new model have better lumbar support? The two previous versions I've driven get a bit achy - after and hour or so - in the small of the back.

Also do they now come with reversing cameras or sensors?