Dacia Duster Diesel

• Body Glass
  • 3 speed windscreen wipers
  • Electric front windows
  • Heated rear window
  • Inactivated rear windows
  • Opaque film on the rear windows
  • Rear wash/wipe
  • Tinted windows
• Brakes
  • ABS and emergency brake assist
  • ASR with ESC
  • Hill start assist
• Chassis/Suspension
  • Centre differential lock with selectable 2WD, Auto and Lock modes
• Communication
  • Bluetooth connectivity
• Driver Aids
  • Cruise control and speed limiter
  • Electric power steering
• Driver Convenience
  • Rear parking sensor
• Driver Information
  • 7-func onboard computer-odometer,trip computer,fuel used/average consumption,fuel range,average speed,next service indicated,outside temperature gauge
  • Door open visual + audible warning
  • Eco mode
  • Gearshift indicator
  • Rev counter
  • Tyre pressure monitor
• Driving Mirrors
  • Black door mirrors
  • Manually adjustable door mirrors
• Embellishment Trims
  • Charcoal grey central console surround
  • Matt black central console fascia
  • Satin chrome air vent surrounds
  • Satin chrome instrument dial surrounds
• Engine
  • Stop/start function
• Entertainment
  • Dacia plug and radio/CD/MP3
  • Digital radio (DAB)
  • Steering wheel mounted audio controls
  • USB connection
• Exterior Body Features
  • Black door handles
  • Body coloured front and rear bumpers
  • Longitudinal black roof bars with Duster inscription
  • Rear spoiler
  • Side sills in black
  • Tailgate trim with Duster incription- background in black, Satin chrome lettering
  • Underbody protection skid plates
• Exterior Lights
  • Automatic headlights
  • Daytime running lights
  • Dusk sensors
  • Front fog lights
  • Front LED indicators
  • High-level third rear brake light
  • Y Shaped front and rear LED headlights
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • 4 speed air recirculation fan + heater
  • Manual air conditioning
• Interior Features
  • Backlighted steering wheel
  • Charcoal grey front and rear door handles
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Height and depth adjustable steering wheel
  • Soft feel leather steering wheel
• Interior Lights
  • Boot light
• Load Area
  • Load compartment cover
  • Load stop, bulkhead and 4 lashing hooks
  • Wooden floor with carpet cover
• Safety
  • Driver and passenger seatbelt not fastened audible and visual warning
  • Driver's airbag
  • Front passenger airbag with deactivation
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Front side airbags
  • Height adjustable front seatbelts
• Seats
  • Height adjustable front headrests
• Security
  • Alarm
  • Remote central locking
  • Thatcham approved engine immobiliser
• Wheels
  • 16" steel wheels
  • Green tyres
• Wheels - Spare
  • Tyre inflation kit

• Emissions - ICE
  • HC:
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 140
• Engine and Drive Train
  • Automatic Transmission: No
  • Bore: 76
  • Catalytic Convertor: Yes
  • CC: 1461
  • Cooling System: WATER
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Codes: K9K GEN8
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Engine Make: N
  • Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL
  • Fuel Type: DIESEL
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Manual Transmission: Yes
  • Number of Valves: 8
  • Stroke: 80.5
  • Valve gear: DOHC
• Fuel Consumption - ICE
  • EC: No
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.3
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 5.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 53.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 47.9
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 61.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 47.9
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 56.5
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No
  • Any aspect of the vehicles safety cause concern?: No
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.5
  • Badge Power: 115
  • Based On ID:
  • Chassis Engine Number: N
  • Clutch: SINGLE DRY PLATE
  • Coin Description: N
  • Coin Gross Vehicle Weight Code: N
  • Coin Power Output Code: N
  • Coin Series: N
  • Coin Wheelbase Description Code: N
  • Coin Wheelbase Name Code: N
  • Exhaust System: CATALYTIC CONVERTER
  • Front Brakes: VENTILATED DISCS
  • Front Suspension: MCPHERSON STRUT
  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Ghost model for valuation purposes: No
  • Hand Brake: REAR DRUMS
  • Insurance Group 1: N
  • Insurance Group 2: N
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - LCV: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:
  • NCAP Safety Assist %:
  • Rear Brakes: DRUM
  • Rear Suspension: MCPHERSON STRUT
  • Relative Height: H1
  • Relative Length: L1
  • Running Cost League Headings: SMALL
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60,000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Steering: RACK AND PINION
  • This vehicle is classed as a car for VED purposes: No
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: N1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60: No
  • 0 to 62: 10.3
  • BHP: 115
  • Engine Power KW: 85
  • Engine Power RPM: 3,750
  • Engine Torque LBS.FT: 192
  • Engine Torque MKG: 26.5
  • Engine Torque NM: 260
  • Engine Torque RPM: 1750
  • PS: Yes
  • Top Speed: 108
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: No
  • Automatic Clutch: No
  • Plated 3rd Axle:
  • Plated 4th Axle:
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Make: N
  • Tyre Size Front: 215/65 R16
  • Tyre Size Rear: 215/65 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Wheel Type: 16" STEEL
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Front Overhang: 841
  • Height: 1,621
  • Height (including roof rails): 1,682
  • Length: 4341
  • Load Deck Height: 365
  • Load Height: 814
  • Load Length: 1792
  • Load Space Width Between Wheel Arches: 977
  • Load Width: 1247
  • Rear Overhang: 824
  • Turning Circle - Wall to Wall: 10.72
  • Wheelbase: 2,676
  • Width (excluding mirrors): 1804
  • Width (including mirrors): 2,052
• Weight and Capacities
  • Boot Capacity Saloons:
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50
  • Gross Train Weight: 3,445
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1,943
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up):
  • Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Removed:
  • Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Up:
  • Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Down:
  • Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Removed:
  • Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Up:
  • Max. Roof Load:
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1,500
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 740
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,455
  • No. of Seats: 2
  • Payload: 488
  • Plated 2nd Axle:
  • Plated Front Axle:

Ten Second Review
A new car for the price of a second hand one is always a tempting prospect and when it's as smartly styled and capable as Dacia's Duster, the concept becomes particularly appealing. Undercutting rival models in the small SUV segment by an enormous amount, this Romanian budget brand uses proven Renault engineering to create a very likeable product that could prove ideal as back-up family transport. This second generation version gets more technology and a bit of extra polish, otherwise, the basic recipe's pretty much unchanged. Dig down the back of the sofa for some money and join the queue to try one.

Background
The original Duster SUV was the car that really built the Dacia brand. Launched in 2009, it was far better than any model in this class had a right to be for less than £10,000 but it did have a few rough edges - enough to keep some buyers in the compact SUV segment loyal to more established brands. You always felt that if this Renault-owner manufacturer could add a bit of extra quality, technology and polish to this value-orientated recipe, then it would be well set. We're told that this is exactly what's happened in creation of this second generation model. There are now features that Dacia buyers won't be used to - things like climate control, curtain airbags, blindspot warning, keyless entry and much more. And it's all been put together with a bit more love. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience
Cut back on cost and you also cut back on expectations. Admit it - you didn't think the Duster was going to be any good at all to drive. It may well come as quite a surprise then, to learn that the market consensus in Europe, where this car has been a huge sales success, is that this Dacia has the sort of ride/handling compromise that would shame rivals many thousands of pounds more expensive. Engine-wise, first up is the 0.9-litre Tce 100hp unit familiar from other compact Renault and Dacia models. It's a decent choice, far more efficient than the old Sce 75 unit and offering a lot more pulling power. There's also a more modern 1.3-litre Tce turbo petrol unit, available with either 130 or 150hp. If you need more torque, you'll be directed towards the 1.5-litre Blue dCi 115hp diesel. The Tce 150 and Blue dCi diesel units can be ordered mated to 4WD. The 4x4 set-up is the same Nissan-engineered three-mode system as was in the previous model, selectable via a rotary controller in front of the gear stick. Most of the time you'll be in '2WD', but in wet or icy conditions, there's the peace of mind of being able to switch seamlessly to 'Auto' so that extra traction will automatically cut in when necessary. For mud-plugging meanwhile, you'll want to keep all wheels turning permanently by switching to the 'Lock' setting.

Design and Build
Though this second generation Duster model looks familiar, Dacia says that not one body panel has been carried over from the previous generation car. A redesigned bonnet flows into a more distinctive grille extending to the head lights that makes the car look wider. This is flanked by a more distinctive lighting signature that includes LED daytime running lamps. A larger, mass-coloured, scratch-resistant front skid plate reinforces Duster's adventurer credentials. A higher belt line adds to the impression of robustness and protection while the windscreen has been brought forward 100mm and is more steeply raked, which makes the cabin appear more spacious. Ah yes, the cabin. That's been redesigned too. The smarter centre console accommodates a higher-positioned MediaNav multimedia touchscreen display viewed from more supportive seats. The window glass is thicker for greater refinement and there's extra cabin storage too. Of course, if you look for them, there are signs of cost-cutting, but everything's been decently put together and the boot's a decent size, offering 445 litres for the 2WD version and 376 litres for the 4WD variant. That's the same as the old model. As for rear seat accommodation, well, there's actually more space here than you'd find in most compact 4x4s, with reasonable levels of head, leg and shoulder room for two and, on shorter journeys, even for three.

Market and Model
While the thought of owning a trendy compact SUV/Crossover-style model for less than £10,000 might be the thing that gets people into Dacia showrooms, the car that satisfied prospective buyers end up driving out of them will probably require a very differently-sized cheque. Still one though, that'll offer a considerable saving on comparable models from other brands. Dacia's ethos is to keep things simple and no-nonsense - so the line-up is no different. There are five trim levels to choose from; 'Access', 'Essential', 'Comfort', 'Prestige' and 'Techroad'. 'Access trim', available from £10,995, features 16-inch steel wheels, electric front windows - and not a lot else. You'll probably want at least to find the £1,500 premium for 'Essential' trim, which adds 16-inch 'Fidji' steel wheels, body coloured front and rear bumpers, manual air conditioning, a DAB radio with steering-column mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity. 'Comfort' spec adds 16-inch 'Cyclade' alloy wheels, a front-seat armrest, a leather steering wheel, a rear parking camera and sensors, electric rear windows, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, MediaNav 7" touchscreen multimedia system with navigation and an on-board computer. The 'Prestige' version gives you 17-inch 'Diamond-cut' alloy wheels, a multi-view camera, blind spot warning, climate control and keyless entry.

Cost of Ownership
You'll find the Duster not only inexpensive to buy but similarly cheap to keep on the road. The base TCe 100 petrol model manages up to 52.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 124g/km of NEDC-rated CO2. For the TCe 130 and TCe 150 4x2 variants, the figures are 47.0mpg and 137g/km. For the TCe 150 4x4, it's 44.4mpg and 145g/km. For the Blue dCi 4x2, it's 64mpg and 115g/km. And for the Blue dCi 115 4x4, it's 62.5mpg and 123g/km. As for peace of mind, well Dacia has chosen to cock a snook at the Koreans by - and I quote - 'deciding not to force buyers into paying a premium for a longer warranty they might not want'. You may disagree, but at least if you do, you've the option of extending the standard 3 year/60,000 mile cover with an affordably-priced five or seven year policy.

Summary
The afforable Dacia Duster SUV is a freshing change to the way that new cars are often a lot more expensive than perhaps they need to be, especially in fashionable market sectors like those for Crossover 4x4s. It's a trend manufacturers try and justify with high technology that's certainly very impressive but which many buyers neither appreciate nor really want. These are the people being targeted here by what continues to be a very clever package indeed, one that gives you almost everything you need - and nothing you don't. The things it can't offer - cutting edge handling, hi-tech equipment levels and a soft-touch trendy cabin - become irrelevant when you consider the asking price. A figure that in 4x4 models buys you off road ability that betters that of some rivals costing nearly twice as much. And in whatever guise you choose, you'll find a Duster smartly styled, practically finished and affordable to run. Enough to make it a better bet than a late, low mileage second hand Crossover/4x4 rival? Many will think so.