New Dacia Duster III – reviews, price and engine. Columns await this instance. We know the price

Last November we attended the first static show. Duster really impressed us. Despite being of the budget class, it is hard to deny its attractive and expressive character. Savings are visible in the cabin, but considering the price-quality ratio, it sets a very high bar for its rivals.

Since the start of production, about 2.4 million units of the two generations of Duster have left the showrooms. Currently, the Romanian brand is the tenth power on the European market, and the creation of popular models is becoming more modern and more user-friendly.

Dacia Duster – specifications. Duster attracts attention

The new Duster is based on the model Bigster, which will appear on the market in 2025. The difference between these cars is that one can take 5, and another even 7, people on board. Both look interesting. Most importantly, the new model has nothing in common with its predecessor. In addition to its character, driving characteristics and high ground clearance.

Duster makes a good impression in real life. Especially if we compare it to the first generation with a normal look. Here everything is bigger and more attractive, although the length remains at 434 cm. The width and height have not changed much. However, transport capacity has increased. We can attach a package weighing 80 kg to the optional roof rack. The wheelbase of the compact SUV is 265.5 cm.

Furthermore, Dacia sets the trend for the style language. The massive front end is decorated with a wide strip and LED strip, new brand logo and LED lights. The lights in the rear lenses are Y-shaped. The car seems to fight also due to the use of many body protection elements. These are made from recycled materials. Given the ground clearance of less than 22 cm and the optional four-wheel drive, off-road driving will not be much of a challenge.

Dacia Duster III photo: Piotr Mokwiński

Dacia Duster – interior, trunk. There was fresh air in the cabin

Sitting on the Duster’s controls is more comfortable than it was on its predecessor, although it is still quite high. The seats do not have a lot of side detail and do not have height adjustment under the thighs. Tall people will feel uncomfortable.

Field summary leaves much to be desired. It is easy to get in and out of the car. There is enough space in the back for two tall people. It is a pity that at this time we have no place to rest. The common CMF-B platform was used to build the car. Many Nissan and Renault models were based on it. It allowed, among other things, to extend the trunk. In the second generation it held 445 and now 472 liters. After folding the backrest, the transport capacity of Dacia increases to 1,632 One of the best results among compact models.

Dacia Duster III picture Dacia

The manufacturer also ensures that it has improved sound insulation and reduced the amount of vibrations penetrating the cabin. In fact, Duster works decently in this category, although if we choose one of the three-cylinder engines, we will find their operation, but to a lesser extent, not confusing.

However, the decor is modern. This is a new design in which the letter Y is strongly emphasized. The whole thing looks clean and combines modernity with practicality. The finishing materials are correct, although largely stiff. They were tightly folded. There is no shortage of useful handles and physical switches on the Dacia dashboard. The operation of the basic features is intuitive. Using the buttons, we can change the temperature and the direction of the air flow. What’s new is the virtual instrument cluster. It is 7 inches and has simple and clear graphics. It is obtained from the secondary measurements of the equipment.

Dacia Duster III picture Dacia

The center screen breaks away from the past and brings a new level of on-board electronics to the Duster. 10.1 inches is enough to fit large icons in individual folders. The system connects wirelessly to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Simple graphics will show parameters for off-road driving or operation of safety systems. Very easy to find the job you want. The change for the worse is the digital control of the air supply temperature. Physical weapons are much easier.

A creative patent that cannot be found in other formats is the YouClip system. These are nothing more than action clips that change their location and purpose. We can attach a phone holder, a shopping hook or a small flashlight to them. To choose, to paint. In addition, there are no functional storage compartments on board the Duster. The car was designed according to the needs of a family of 4 people.

Dacia Duster III picture Dacia

Dacia Duster – engine, driving sensations. We are going on tour

While in the first years the diesel engine in Dacia was doing well, now it was decided to end it completely. This is the result of the decreasing interest in this reserve and the need to reduce the average CO2 emission. However, we have new petrol and hybrid engines.

The basis of the offer is the 1.0 TCe Eco-G known from other models. It develops 100 HP and works with gas installation. We would like to remind you that LPG is still more than twice cheaper than petrol. As usual, we receive two tanks with a total capacity of 100 liters. In the best conditions, they can provide up to 1,300 km of range.

The next engine is a small hybrid. It has three cylinders, a capacity of 1200 cm3 and works on the Miller cycle. In addition, it received a mandatory supercharger, which allowed it to produce 130 HP. The 48V installation supports the gasoline engine during start-up and acceleration in the city, and will provide the energy obtained during braking when stationary, for example when waiting for a green light. This kit should ensure low fuel consumption. We drove this variant for about 150 km on various routes. In the combined cycle, the computer showed 6.3 liters.

The 130-horsepower Dacia should be a regular pick. Available with front or both axle drive. The 4×4 has 21.7 cm of ground clearance. This is the right value so you don’t have to worry too much about high curbs and bumpy parts. The suspension adjustment is a great level of quality. We drove on poor pavement, with wet waves. Surprisingly, the large shock-absorbing ride coped with the problem very well. Provide appropriate assurance and care for travelers. Designers put a lot of effort into this.

On unpaved roads, the Duster performs equally well. In average, you don’t need a drive on both axles. In Poland, 85 percent of customers choose FWD. With tires of size 215/60/18, they confidently hit the surface and effectively isolate the cabin from unwanted sounds. As in the previous version, passing obstacles cause a lot of problems.

Dacia Duster III photo: Piotr Mokwiński

Dacia Duster – performance. We won’t complain about the trends

Although dynamics is not the strong point of the 100 HP Duster (13.2 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 168 km/h), the 130 HP variant seems to be the one. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h. It doesn’t run out of breath at highway speeds. At high revs you can hear the operation of three cylinders, but this is not a cause for concern. It is important that the car voluntarily cooperates with the right leg of the driver. The situation is worse with manual transmission. The long unique and large distance between the next gears means that we will often reach for the lever. The procedure is not an example of precision, but we can understand it.

Or maybe a hybrid variant?

In the case of the E-Tech variant, we have a naturally aspirated petrol unit with a capacity of 1.6 liters and a standard 90 horsepower. In the era of charging and charging, this is an absolutely amazing solution. The combustion engine is complemented by two electric ones. The first of them works with the user’s right leg, while the second is a high voltage generator that serves as a pacemaker and energy generator. The total power of both engines is 66 HP and 205 Nm, and the system power is 140 HP.

And now an interesting fact. The French designers did not decide to use a continuous variable transmission or a double clutch. They chose a multi-mode gearbox without subsequent gear ratio synchronization. The task of the synchronizer was given to a small electric unit that works with the wheel clutch. The manufacturer guarantees that this solution works perfectly in F1. Well, it’s time to confirm the official information in daily use.

Dacia Duster III photo: Piotr Mokwiński

On paper, the parameters of the hybrid Duster are average. At least compared to the 1.2 TCE powered variants. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 km/h. Regardless of the charge level of the battery (1.2 kWh total), it almost always starts in electric mode and tries to use its capacity to the maximum. The computer separates the combustion unit during free movement and during descent. Smooth driving also results in lower fuel consumption. If we move without suddenly pressing the accelerator, it is easy to reach fuel consumption of 4.5-6 liters in the city. Road speed results in a demand of 7.5-8.5 liters. In such cases, the on-board computer will show about 5 liters.

Good soundproofing of the cabin results in relative silence in urban conditions. On the highway, the noise level increases. As well as during extreme driving, where the gearbox can get lost and high revs are not pleasant sounds.

Dacia Duster – price. Duster will increase sales results

This is one of the hottest shows this year. The best-selling car that allows you to enter the world of compact crossovers at a low cost. At the time of its debut in 2010, the basic Duster cost PLN 39,900. Currently, the cheapest variant is valued at PLN 79,900,000. The 130 horsepower Dacia with manual transmission in Premium specification starts from PLN 100,900. Additional fee for 4×4 is PLN 11,000. The hybrid costs PLN 117,400.

Duster has few reasons to be popular in many markets in Europe. He will also be a strong player in Poland, where he has already started to sell well. It convinces with its economical nature, good dynamics and suspension that allows it to be used on bumpy roads. It is also quite functional and spacious. The first units produced in the Romanian factory will arrive in Poland in just a few weeks. The material was created during a trip sponsored by Renault Polska. This had no effect on the content. No one had access to the article before it was published.