Car review in a few | 2019 Dacia Duster - amazing value...but is it too cheap?

We don’t even have this make in my country, but I’m not here for the fugly car...I’m here for neck tatts, Mark’s sense of humour and 7-odd minutes of glee. Keep up the northern cheek 👌🏼👍🏼

Just buy a used Sportage

Loved the Dacia t-shirt 😁😁

a friend of mine owns one. he's not a car guy, that's all i've to say

A bit exaggerated, but a reasonable summary of the car - it's not really aimed at the reviewer (which he kind of acknowledges) and the safety aspect is a bit more complex; NCAP standards are continually raised - A new Duster competes with a 3-5 year old mainstream model for many people. I suspect that these older cars wouldn't fare much better in the new NCAP tests, even though they scored well in the old tests.....

Interesting. I took a 1.3TSe model out for a test drive and it drove the same if not better than my Ford Focus - handled potholes much better (built for rugged less developed countries so perfect for our poor roads!) and the seating position is better in the Duster... if you want to pay extra for your plastic dashboards that that's fine, but I'd rather just have a good honest, reasonably priced car that doesn't have any features I don't use (and garages can't repair when they go wrong as they are overly complicated). There are lots of badge snobs about who would rather pay more for their cars and that's fine, but don't rubbish a car just because its Dacia as this MK2 is actually very good - take one out for a test drive - you'll be quite surprised.

In a country with 350€ minimum wage and 300€ leasing I would say it is not too cheap, for Romania

An interesting and fair review, as always.
I've never driven any Dacia, but just yesterday as a bobbed and weaved and banged along the UK's shite roads, I thought why do British motorists apparently turn their noses up at soft riding cars, such as the Duster, even if the notion of a soft ride?
Maybe it's my happy memories of soft riding French cars my family had when I was a kid, but I think there's much to be said for comfort, even some roll, over 'sporty' suspension. Maybe I should try a Duster...?

Great reviews as always Mark. Love that 'Dacia Way I Like It' t-shirt! Where did you buy it from?

1.3tce 150 makes it more of a pokey ride....but come on - you can get a 2018 Kajar with 8k miles on the clock for £15k, which looks better inside and out, has nicer materials and features and drives nicer.

The french peasants like them, plenty on the road here. A guy at work bought 2, one each for him & the wife. As the Nissan is around double the price this was the realistic option for their budget.

Probably one of the few 4x4s left that owners wouldn't be too scared to actually take off road.

Harsh words for duster,the second place in the top sales suvs in europe:)...yes..nr 2 in europe..no rival for his price.

Another total shitbox from Renault.

Finally an honest review for this car.

Well it's great you don't like it Duster, very soon you will get lost from Europe 🇪🇺 so probably Dacia will not sell there anymore cars with steering on wrong I mean right side

We have got the prestige it’s a great car don’t listen to him

A very nice 4X4 SUV , I own the diesel model. It has all you need , not the fancy things that will give you problems and nobody would be able to fix them.Spacious , it runs very smoothly , electric supported progressive steering. One of the last cars to, still ,have a full size tire as spare , other cars now have only "repair kit". Pricewise the best SUV for a family in Europe.

As all British car journalism, they are critical of everything

I't's not surprising that the reviewer is 'disappointed' with the Duster as he's not the target buyer for this. I'm early 50's and when I was younder I'd be exactly the same - much more interested in having a better experience, more technology, image etc. However as I've grown older these things get less important and a simple family runaround for a good price is what I need now. The Dacia covers what I need perfectly. If I was 30 then no way would I look at one - I'd laugh at it, but I'm 50+ and now laugh the other way. Dacia are just targeting a different buyer and for them it's pretty much the perfect car.

Imagine that people who buy this car were driving the dacia Logan or the Matiz or cars like that so having AC or electric mirrors is something amazing. I don't like the duster because it's not safe in case of a crush but I think the basic model is a good work horse to trow around and make money with it.

Duster looks like a car designed for men. Most SUVs except maybe for G class , Jimny or Lada niva look so womenised that is no wonder that 9 out 10 are driven by women. This is an unfair review and any Dacia owner can confirm this. This car has be understood. Unlike other suvs where you work to pay for the car this car works for you and the family as it provides a cheaper alternative than public transportation, is about freedom and being chilled and relaxed even when kids spill something on the backseats or the car gets the first scratch. It's ok, a scratch will give the car even more character!

It's one of the best mini-SUV ever....and l'm not talking about the price!!

sounds like a crybaby troubling with driving

I'm considering this (gasoline version) as a replacement for my 2005 Hyundai classic (I think it's called). I need something that can take my new urban lifestyle while at the same time fitting my empty wallet.

With that in mind, any reasons why I shouldn't go for the duster?

Sorry mate, but not all of us can afford an BMW or Mercedes...

Worst car ever , dislike

Hi all This is the second Dacia Duster we had the first one was the top of the rangeLaurent diesel we had it for 6 years Not a thing wrong with it 😎We got the top of the range prestige now the 1.3 tse Another great car can’t find no faults in it So much better than the first one and quieter 😀

My Friends dad has a Dacia Sandero 2016 and after 46.000 km the cars engine died lmao

Nah, for the money I'd rather have a secondhand Suzuki Vitara or Ssangyong Tivoli - at least you know corners haven't been cut (eg corrosion protection) and they drive properly and safely.

I'll have one of these. Not fluff & fuss. I can spend the rest of the money on proper things.

Pretty good car then.

Mark, you need a spin-off channel. I'm finding your content isn't coming thick and fast enough lately.... I need my fix of jovial Geordie banter.

I bought it and it's my only car and I would say it's alright. Prestige has all "basic" blows and whistles you could ask for (I mean do you really need city stop brake system, auto parking, lane monitor, etc?).

Also the ride isn't as dynamic as other cars but then again you don't buy budget cars for racing. I can comfortably go 55km/h from highway in 270°, 100m circumference, slip road without wheel squeel and without extreme body roll. When I let engine get to higher RPM it also accelerates fairly OK (not BMW levels of fast but more like cheaper hatchbacks).

The only thing (or 2) I hate on my Prestige 4x4 1.6 petrol is first gear - it's so short I usually go from second one and no sensors in front - I have to rely on camera.

I'm on my second Dacia, first (stepway) gave no problems. My 2018 Duster however has given me some trouble with Aircon. This could happen with any make to be fair. Dacia UK were excellent to deal with. If you are buying one of these do your homework on the dealership and you should be okay as Dacia do try their best to keep their customers. I will probably buy another one of these.

Is the diesel version a bit better?

I don’t get why anybody with any sense would buy this over a 5 or 4 year old Quashqai, especially the top spec model.

I've now purchased the 1.3 150BHP Prestige model. So far really impressed with it - very comfortable, quick and handles potholes well! I think its more comfortable than my Ford Focus and even better than the Jaguar XE I test drove! I have a feeling this is going to be a popular model on the roads....

Brilliant review, one of, if not the best seen. Very honest and detailed.
The duster is what it is. It's cheap, its goes from A -B.. BUT............. Its so bad to drive.
I bought one. I regretted it. There horrible and tiresome to drive. You dont feel safe.There made out of the cheapest steel, unused 10yr old Renault parts and I lost 50% of what i paid for it after 15mths... Dacia has a very successful and expensive add campaign driven and funded by Renault. It's the only reason that I can think of as to why people buy them. The money you would pay for a new duster would buy you a 2yr old far superior and SAFER car..
Just my opinion guys as a previous Dustbin owner.
Cheers..

ma DACIA Duster (1.5 DCI 4X4  avril 2018)   émet un sifflement lorsque je dépasse 90 km/h
et jusqu ' à aujourd’hui la DACIA n'a pas résolu mon problème (presque un an )
je suis très en colère
je ne sais pas quoi faire

I suppose if you can’t afford a decent car it’s good enough

Great review! You really offered a nice objective overall picture. My wife is tempted by it, especially considering you can get a top spec car for only €20,500 in Rome. However, I am more inclined to spend an €6000 and get a Honda CRV. Test drove the Honda and fell in love but my wife wants to test the Duster anyway. Let's see who wins!

Better buy a 2-4 year old used car for that money.

Actually it is better than all crossovers which come out today on offroad, ofc 4wd version and of course diesel and turbo petrol 150 horses but I still prefer diesel. The only modern "crossover" which can rival Duster on offroad are Land rover freelander, Jeep Renegade and maybe Subaru Forester. Now Don't get me wrong I didn't say it is best offroader it is not even an offroader, but for crossover it is the best, even better than those 3 rivals I named in some situations while in the rest of situations no less too. And the best thing is that its cheaper than all of them with all the practical comfort you need and even slightly more when you get prestige. I mean it has 4 cameras 360°, 4x4 3D display compasses I mean which rivals have that? None especially in the nearest prices... and ofc climate and cruise control and heated seats and button start also with Auto start stop system, eco driving mode, downhill control also uphill, ofc electric mirrors with heating, Bluetooth media and phone, electric and fully adjustable steering wheel, 3 cup holders, hand rest, even a cigarette packet, navigation, LED daytime running lights, full sized spear wheel 👍, Big boot space, great 4wd system with differential lock and smart 4wd software smarter than previous duster, alloy wheels and even "Maldive" polished alloy wheels if you pay slightly more, which I don't prefer; keyless entry and auto central lock after you get away from the car about 3 metres.... So on.. That's all I can remember. Yes it is not sporty and fastest or the most comfortable SUV on the road, though it is not bad either and qualifies for decent, but its not meant to be sporty, its meant to be practical, fuel efficient, durable and capable off road, which it is! Together with that its cheapest

Had a few suv cars, and the best imo is the yeti, great vid thanks

Not a car I'd buy. I love a bargain as much as the next person buy its way too bargain basement for me.

I just don't understand the closing comments "I haven't fallen in love with the cheapness".
Can I ask what alternative €10k new car you prefer?

I love mine, wouldn't swap it for something at twice the price