Which version to choose?
1.3 TCe 130 Comfort (€ 18,400)
Fruit of a collaboration with Mercedes, this 1.3 liter turbo petrol, with a torque of 240 Nm and a manual gearbox with 6 well-staged gears, is flexible and voluntary. It is also pleasant and barely less efficient than its 150 hp variation (plus € 500). It also gives access to 4 × 4 transmission, for 2,000 € more. To the Essential finish (€ 17,300), we prefer the Comfort (€ 18,400) which, in addition to the air conditioning and the 40/60 bench seat, is enhanced in particular by the speed limiter-regulator, fog lights, reversing radars, heated electric mirrors, or aluminum rims. It also gives access to safety equipment such as the blind spot detector or the reversing camera.
Qualities
Accessible from € 12,490 as a basic 3-cylinder 1.0 liter petrol engine of 90 hp, already highly recommended, this Duster has no competitor on the price side. Rather elegant, with a very personal design, a robust adventurer, it remains compact while preserving a sufficient room for a small family. Finishing, presentation and ergonomics have clearly progressed on this second generation whose restyling is imminent. In addition to a balanced behavior of good traction and a driving pleasure combining smoothness and maneuverability – with a pleasant variable electric power steering – it offers a good level of comfort, both in damping and soundproofing. Its equipment is far from being poor with, from the basic Access finish, speed limiter, electric front windows, automatic headlights, central locking and on-board computer. The range of engines is rather complete with several petrol and diesel units – and even an LPG version – whose powers range from 90 to 150 hp. Without forgetting a 4 × 4 transmission that transforms this Duster as a real franchiser, at an unbeatable price as always (€ 2,000 extra).
Defaults
The main flaw of the Duster, whose technical basis has remained that of the first generation, remains relatively poor passive safety (in the event of an accident), awarded only 3 stars out of 5 in the EuroNCAP crash test. We can also blame it for some small loss of traction on wet ground, mainly due to its M + S tires, delivered as standard. Its comfort, soundproofing and the quality of some of its interior materials remains, logically, behind those of its more upscale “competitors”, in particular with seats that are a little too flat, which lack support. Its roominess is not exceptional and its trunk has even lost 30 liters on the altar of reinforced soundproofing. Finally, the basic finish skips the essential air conditioning, forcing to go to the second level of finish, Essential.
Notice
The small Dacia family SUV benefits from an unbeatable price-performance ratio, regardless of the version chosen.
Technical sheet
Engine : 4-cylinder turbo petrol 130 hp
Weight (kg): from 1,234 to 1,312
Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,34×1,80×1,69
Max speed (km/h): 193
CO2 (g)/bonus : 148-149/400-450 €
Chest for 5/2 : 445/1 478
Manufacturing country : Romania
To read / see also on auto-moto.com:
Dacia Duster video test
Dacia Duster TCe 100 test
Dacia Duster: reliability
Future restyled Dacia Duster
Used dacia dutser
