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.

With sharper styling and more sophisticated technology than the SUV it replaces, UK reviewers agree that the latest-generation Duster is a significant 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, which reflects is bargain price point, but most reviewers argue that the SUV makes up for that in practicality, comfort and even a reasonable level of off-road ability.

As is usually the case with Dacia, the Duster’s safety credentials let it down. Its three-star Euro NCAP safety rating is sub-par for a new vehicle, with the Duster recording below-average scores in three of the four testing categories.

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%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions and media review scores, but its safety score is only average. Its running costs are also surprisingly high, which will negate some of the savings on the car’s sticker price.

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

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The third-generation Dacia Duster offers great-value motoring and family car practicality at an affordable price. It’s not the most refined or luxurious SUV for sale, but the car’s honesty makes it easy to enjoy, while the tough yet modern looks mean it can turn heads.”
Author: Alex Ingram
Read review

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 July 2024, with below-average scores in the vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) and safety assist (avoiding accidents) categories. The latter is not surprising, as Dacia chooses not to equip its models with most of the accident-avoidance technology found in other cars to keep prices down.

The previous Duster also received a three-star rating, but Euro NCAP’s assessment standards have got tougher since then. 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 January 2025, the Dacia Duster has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, 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 has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The most popular petrol models are only average for fuel economy, which is disappointing for a small SUV. Hybrid models are more fuel-efficient but obviously more expensive to purchase. The car’s insurance is also in a middling bracket, so insurance premiums are unlikely to be as cheap as for some other smaller cars.

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 January 2025, 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.