Name: Dacia Duster (2024 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Dacia Duster
Rating: 68.0

Summary

The Dacia Duster is a small SUV/crossover, priced at the budget end of the market. This model is the new third generation, which was launched in mid-2024.

No longer available with a diesel engine, the Duster range includes a petrol mild-hybrid and a petrol-electric hybrid option, the latter already available in the Dacia Jogger people carrier range.

Described by Autocar’s Illya Verpraet as “fresher and more sophisticated” than the SUV it replaces, UK reviewers agree that the latest Duster iteration is a certain improvement over its predecessor, while retaining its value-for-money credentials.

Praising the car’s “clever” and “sensible” interior, Parker’s Jake Groves says that “not only will you feel like you’re spending your money wisely, but you won’t feel like you’ve wasted it on a cheap-feeling product.” The interior materials still include some hard plastics, but What Car?’s Dan Jones argues that the SUV “makes up for that in comfort, boot space, price and even off-road ability.”

The car’s three-star Euro NCAP safety rating isn’t particularly impressive – the Duster scoring below average in some categories – but this is a budget-end SUV choice, and its safety credentials reflect that.

Other reviewer criticisms centre around loud wind and road noise, rather tight rear legroom and the fact that the entry-level trim is missing some of the on-board equipment that other small SUVs have as standard.

The Dacia Duster currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%. The SUV’s solid review scores are aided by a good eco rating. That said, some competitors have lower running costs and a higher Euro NCAP safety rating.

Duster highlights

Fantastic value-for-money
4×4 version has good off-road capability
Practical interior
Neat and comfortable driving experience

Duster lowlights

Some hard interior plastics
Alternatives have better rear legroom
Sparsely equipped entry-level model
Loud road and wind noise at speed

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £19,695 on-road

Launched: Summer 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Journey
Score: 8 / 10
“The first ever Dacia Duster Hybrid is a hit from behind the wheel, but better options exist in the small SUV’s range.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Dacia Duster continues the value-driven approach of its predecessor while offering more equipment and practicality than ever before.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Bolder, roomier, and with upgraded tech, the all-new Dacia Duster gets a more grown-up look but remains a great value rugged SUV.
Author: Catherine King, Dan Trent
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Dacia Duster is better than its predecessor in every way yet barely any more expensive. A great-value, versatile buy.”
Author: Illya Verpraet, Steve Cropley
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Duster still does a lot so well, and manages to be charming, too. Older Dusters have been desirable because they’ve been great value for money. But this one is desirable full stop.”
Author: Jake Groves
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The latest Dacia Duster has more character than ever, offering the same great value as before, with added practicality and style.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Ellis Hyde, Andy Goodwin
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The new Duster offers a hard wearing interior and is good-value family transport, just don’t expect as much clever tech as alternatives.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“As before, the Dacia Duster pretty much sits in a class of its own. It’s more usable and desirable than its predecessor without being more complicated or expensive than it needs to be.”
Author: Yousuf Ashraf
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The third-generation of Dacia Duster builds on the success of its predecessors, and admirably. It’s better to drive, more efficient, better looking and an all-round improvement that keeps Dacia’s best-selling model at the top of the value-for-money SUV list.”
Author: Al Suttie
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9.2 / 10
“The latest Dacia Duster builds on the success, practicality, usefulness and general no-nonsense approach of the older generation and includes a much-improved interior, stylish exterior design and more technology for not much more extra money. Not only will you feel like you’re spending your money wisely, but you won’t feel like you’ve wasted it on a cheap-feeling product.”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review

Regit+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The all-new Dacia Duster is another step up for the Romanian brand, which makes it even more tempting. The TCe 130 is still our powertrain of choice, and the Journey trim is impressive. However, you won’t be short-changed if you opt for the next one down (Expression). Off-roaders will need the Extreme trim to unlock the four-wheel drive option. The all-new Duster is practical, reasonably roomy, looks nice, has a well-designed interior and is very comfortable to drive.”
Author: Tim Barnes-Clay
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“In some ways, part of its raw, honest charm has gone as it conforms with the rest of the market, but the overall result is an impressive SUV that shouldn’t cost the Earth to buy or run.”
Author: Dave Humphreys
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Easy to use, and designed for real life… the Duster is one of the car world’s true bargains.”
Author: Paul Horrell
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Dacia Duster represents good value for money. True, it’s not as dynamic as some of its rivals and the interior has more hard plastics, but it makes up for that in comfort, boot space, price and even off-road ability.”
Author: Oliver Young
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: July 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 70%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 60%
Safety assist: 57%

The third-generation Dacia Duster was awarded a three-star Euro NCAP safety rating in Summer 2024, with below average scores for vulnerable road user (pedestrians and cyclists) protection and safety assistance technology. The latter is to be expected, as this budget SUV isn’t as tech-laden as some of its more upmarket alternatives.

This is the same star score that was awarded to the previous Duster, but Euro NCAP’s assessment standards have got tougher since. So, despite getting the same score, the Duster’s safety credentials have improved moving into its third generation.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of November 2024, the Dacia Duster has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of November 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the latest Dacia Duster range to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Duster, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	49 mpg	C	46 – 51 mpg	B – C
Hybrid models	55 mpg	B	55 – 55 mpg	B – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	130 g/km	A	124 – 135 g/km	A – A
Hybrid models	114 g/km	A	114 – 114 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	36	C	36 – 36	C – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£164	A
Year 2	£462	A
Year 3	£732	A
Year 4	£978	A
Year 5	£1,386	A
Overall	£3,722	A

The Dacia Duster is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Petrol models offer a fuel economy level with the standard car, while hybrid models are more fuel efficient than average. The car’s insurance is also in a middling bracket.

Low servicing and maintenance costs are the Duster’s strength when it comes to running costs. Servicing costs are predicted to be excellent for the first five years of ownership from new.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Dacia Duster

As of November 2024, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the third-generation Dacia Duster. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Dacia dealer.