Malaga, Spain. Team of mobile.bg from the venue.
The third generation of Duster is a fact from very recently, and we even managed to test its capabilities. What are our impressions of the new model, we are telling you now. We start with an interesting piece of information that Dacia shared during the dynamic presentation of the model.
Dacia states that since 2010 it has managed to sell around 2.4 million copies of the Duster. According to the calculations, this makes about 500 per day... Impressive, right? Now, as it has already become clear, the third generation of the model is underway, which we can say without hesitation is the best.
Pros and cons
If we have to systematize our impressions in a few words, the main merits of the car are: exceptional interior and exterior design, excellent engine efficiency, especially the hybrid and the fact that it is a practical and very comfortable car, both on the road and outside of it.
Of course, like any other car, this one has its flaws. But despite the price segment in which the Romanian brand is positioned, we found only two, the first being barely noticeable, and the second being consistent with the price of the car. The main disadvantages of the model are: light aerodynamic noises at a speed of over 130 km/h and harder plastic in the cabin.
What's new?
This is a completely new generation of Duster, with a complete rethinking of both the exterior and interior, using Dacia's latest design language. More recycled materials are incorporated into the model, with 20 percent of all plastics on the car coming from recycled sources. For this reason, the dark outer plastic protection has an interesting "motley" an effect that Dacia calls Starkle.
On top of that, the Duster moves from Renault-Nissan's outdated B platform to the much more modern new CMF-B architecture, which enables new powertrain options (like the hybrid), improved handling and the same unique off-road handling localities.
The new Duster also benefits from a brand innovation that the Romanians call YouClip, which allows you to purchase convenient accessories that are attached to universal attachment points. There are several of these located around the saloon, and YouClip options include things like extra cup holders, phone holders, clothes hangers.
Dacia's range of InNature add-ons includes in the new Duster things like a good-looking and quite sturdy roof rack and a specific version of the familiar Sleep Pack, which fits into the Duster's trunk and with a few simple manipulations turns into a full-fledged bed for two.
Equipment levels
There are four specifications for the Duster to choose from: the entry-level Essential, the mid-level Expression and two top-of-the-line trims - Extreme and Journey. Starting at the Essential level, the Duster gets all the essentials (including the new and mandatory safety kit) as well as roof rails, rear parking sensors and a smartphone holder instead of a central infotainment screen.
The Expression adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear parking camera. After these levels, however, come the above two, which Dacia considers to be its best versions. And this statement is completely true, and it is even more curious that according to studies, about 80 percent of Duster buyers choose top equipment, so this time the Romanians decided to offer two that have similar technology, but different design.
Extreme is the more familiar of the new Duster's high trim levels, featuring massive 18-inch wheels, rubber soles, climate control, an infotainment upgrade that adds navigation and copper exterior and interior accents. Journey is the new offering that is less off-road oriented and emphasizes more technology. It comes with electric parking brake, wireless phone charger, 3D sound system and more.
Engines
As for the engines for our market, we can choose from a 1.2-liter turbo gasoline three-cylinder TCe engine with a power of 130 horsepower or one with a power of 100 horses, but with the super-economical LPG fuel (factory gas system of propane- butane). The third offering that is new for Duster is a hybrid powertrain. Given the peculiarities of our market, we assume that the Bi-Fuel unit, running on LPG and gasoline, will be the most sought after, but otherwise, the hybrid is the most efficient, most powerful and most technological.
The TCe model with 130 hp, as well as the Eco-G gas model, is available only with a six-speed manual transmission, but you can choose between front and 4x4 drive. The hybrid, which is new to the Duster but not new to Dacia or the Renault Group, offers an automatic transmission, but only front-wheel drive. Otherwise, the hybrid system is the same that was recently introduced in the Jogger and labeled as E-Tech Hybrid powering many of Renault's models, including the Clio, Captur and Arkana.
Interior
The new Duster looks solid and utilitarian inside, as we're used to seeing this model, but this time it's also quite stylish. It still feels like it was built for a price, but in a less obvious way, which makes the feel of the interior a much easier pill to swallow. In other words, as we already mentioned at the beginning, the disadvantage is related to the harder plastic in the cabin. However, it looks good, the assembly is at a high level and there are no parasitic noises and squeaks in the cabin. The interior of the Duster is stylish and very practical. Stuff boxes of all shapes and sizes are scattered throughout, and the modern flair comes from the digital instrument cluster, which is clear and easy to read, with a few small details and graphics that you can change to your liking.
It's also interesting that Dacia has gone its own way with the center screen infotainment system (for the Expression version and up). Instead of using Renault's Google-based OpenR system, the technology here is proprietary with very clear and simple graphics, relatively quick responses and an easy-to-navigate menu.
The trunk is larger than before, but the rear space does not suffer from this. There's plenty of headroom for second-row passengers, with only the tallest adult occupants experiencing slight legroom discomfort - especially if they're behind taller drivers.
As for the driver's seat, it is, in our opinion, the first Dacia to have the perfect driver setup. The previous models of Duster did not have enough support for the thighs and for the back of the seats, and they were also characterized by suboptimal places to place the legs. But here - hooray, everything is fixed.
Driving characteristics
This three-cylinder TCe, which naysayers won't look kindly on, actually feels more than adequate for the Duster's relatively light build. It's quite peppy for its power, something that other automakers' three-cylinder engines largely fail to achieve. The only transmission option here is a six-speed manual, but you can have it with two- or four-wheel drive. The manual shift is a little bumpy and the gaps between first/third/fifth and second/fourth/sixth feel close together, but that's something you get used to quickly. The clutch is light and disengages both quickly and smoothly.
Meanwhile, the Duster Hybrid benefits from and suffers from the same major advantages and odd disadvantages that other cars using the same powertrain have. For example, we drove about 120 kilometers with the hybrid model and were left with almost a full tank of fuel. Despite lots of hilly, winding country roads and high-speed highway driving, the fuel gauge didn't budge at all and the car's estimated mileage of around 800 kilometers didn't change much either. The hybrid is smooth and quiet at low speeds, with the system's aim to keep the engine off around town as much as possible - and it does. The hybrid is also your only option if you want a Duster automatic.
For off-road enthusiasts, Dacia has gone to great lengths to inject extra strength and cross-country ability into the already excellent 4×4 system. As well as new drive modes via a center console controller (mud/sand, snow and off-road, which locks the power transfer to 50/50 front/rear), the 4×4 models are slightly taller and benefit from impressive cornering angles. attack, both climbing and descending.
Off-road technology in higher trim levels includes a front-facing camera to see over steep hills, and even with a manual transmission, engaging a gear will allow the car to crawl downhill and even climb hills without stopping and without having to step on the gas or use the brake. Without boring you with dry figures for clearance, wheelbase, trail and angles of attack, we will say that, in our opinion, Duster is the most passable crossover in this class. We found out after a long drive along the rather difficult off-road route that the company had prepared.
Despite these excellent additions, tarmac is still where most Duster buyers will spend most of their time – and here too we shall note the evident progress. Duster behaves quite "tidy", the management – communicated to the driver via an almost hexagonal steering wheel design - is direct enough and this steering wheel stiffens in the right way and at the right time the faster you go. And, regardless of wheel size, the ride is firm and tight.
But the price for the beautiful appearance of the car brings with it another drawback, which we mentioned above. The windshield is not very low, but the "dumb" the front of the car is also no help when it comes to wind noise. In other words, at highway speed, weak aerodynamic noises are detected in the passenger compartment. Otherwise, the sound insulation from the road and from the engine compartment is at an excellent level.
Conclusion and prices
The so-called "hardcore" fans of the model will be pleasantly surprised by the 1.2 TCe engine, whether they choose one with the factory gas system or the petrol-only version. Dynamics are good, economy too. This bike will be absolutely enough for most of the fans of the model. The Duster Hybrid's efficiency, higher power, automatic transmission and combined consumption of four percent, however, will attract a new group, which will most likely join the faithful fans of the model because they will feel a lot better. than in many of Duster's direct competitors.
As with previous generations, the new Duster is a car you feel like you've spent money on wisely, with the added bonus that the new one comes packed with a much better design. The interior is neat, the powertrains are modern and efficient, it handles very well on the road and manages to do impressively well off it. The trunk is bigger than before, and the technology it offers is useful and unobtrusive. And while the first Dusters were chosen mainly because of price, there is something more here. Much more.