The Dacia Duster: An Affordable European SUV

America has its share of SUVs, but Europe has its hands on a solid, affordable option. The Dacia Duster gives you all the basics of an SUV with an extra bit of polish and shine, all at a reasonable price.
Written by Hannah DeWitt
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The Dacia Duster gives you a lot of car for your money. The family-sized European SUV stands out for its competitive features and surprising good looks, all with an affordable price. With the price of new cars at an all-time high, the Dacia is a budget brand with enough charm to satisfy.
Renault has managed to keep the cost of the Dacia Duster down without compromising its overall performance. The reliable SUV is as financially sensible as it is fun to drive—it’s no wonder it remains one of Europe's most popular choices in its class.
Jerry
has all the info on what makes the Dacia Duster an underrated gem.

What you can expect in a Dacia Duster

The Dacia Duster first entered the driving world in 2010, and it quickly gained a reputation for offering excellent value for the money. Its loyal fan base liked that they could purchase a more than adequate SUV for under £10,000. Small SUVs were few and far between back then, and the Duster filled a niche drivers craved.
The second-generation Duster was updated in 2021. It received a much-needed facelift to its exterior as well as some tweaking of the interior trim. The infotainment system was also somewhat updated to keep up with the competition. The changes were not massive, though, keeping the cost-savings intact for its bargain-minded customer base.
Despite its recent makeover, the Dacia Duster remains true to its original style, according to
Top Gear
. Drivers can expect the same spacious comfort, reliable performance, and ridiculously good value. The company's disciplined approach to the Dacia's update and its continued success shows that sometimes it is best not to mess with a good thing.
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What is it like to drive a Duster?

The Dacia Duster is available in three trim levels—the Essential, the Comfort, and the Prestige. Now that the Access trim is no longer offered, the Essential is the base car selling for around £14,000. However, it is not unusual for Duster fans to choose the higher specs when they buy.
The Duster still offers a single diesel option, but it now comes with a choice of other fuel options, including bi-fuel. The bi-fuel's eco-friendly union allows drivers to travel up to 800 miles before having to fill up the tank again. It doesn't get much better than that.
When it comes to handling, the new generation of Dacia Duster has electric power steering. It functions smoothly around corners without any problems, and the suspension does its job adequately. Though it wasn't built for off-road adventures, it handles bumps and dips with relative ease. Much of this can be attributed to the extra large tires and the built-in monitor system, showing slope angles in real time.

The Dacia Duster's interior is neatly stylish

One of the first things drivers notice about the Duster's interior is the abundance of space. It comfortably fits three adults in the back and offers plenty of room in the trunk for storage. The 4WD trim option has a little less space in the trunk to make room for the spare wheel. 
Inside, you can expect to find a modern and stylish dash with smart and simple flourishes. The high-mounted vents are adjustable and a leather-wrapped steering wheel option is available with the Prestige trim. The Dacia Duster does not come equipped with the complex technology its competitors boast, but there are just enough infotainment features and functional technology to make it a great buy for the price. 
You might be able to rent a Dacia Duster on your next European vacation. You will surely see them on the streets. But for now, the affordable SUV isn't available in the United States or other North American markets

Jerry offers the best deals on insurance no matter what you drive

You might not be able to purchase a Dacia Duster in the U.S., but you still want to make sure you get a great deal on your own car insurance.
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