The Dacia Duster Refused to Grow Up, and That's Exactly Why It Keeps Winning

All three reviews highlight the same deliberate choice: while every rival has grown larger generation after generation, this one hasn't, and that restraint is a genuine part of why over 2.5 million people have bought one since 2010.

Illustration for editorial purposes

The One SUV That Didn't Get Bigger

Model bloat is close to universal in this segment — today's small SUV is often yesterday's mid-size car. Reviewers keep pointing out this is one of the only nameplates in the entire market that has admirably resisted that trend, leaving the size increases to its new Bigster sibling instead.

Specs at a Glance

Body style	Small SUV / crossover
Engines	1.2L mild-hybrid (128bhp), 1.8L full hybrid (138bhp), 1.0L bi-fuel petrol/LPG (99bhp)
Transmission	6-speed manual (mild-hybrid) or automatic (full hybrid)
Euro NCAP rating	3 stars
Price range (new)	From around £18,000

Full Review Summary

Top Gear

Top Gear praised the third generation's move to a modern platform shared with the Renault Clio and Dacia Sandero, bringing genuinely better noise insulation, more space and stronger crash protection than before. They found the interior refreshingly honest, with not a trace of soft-touch plastic to be found if you go looking, but rated the overall package as offering everything genuinely needed and nothing more, backed by a plucky four-wheel-drive option most rivals at this price simply don't offer.

🎬 Watch: Top Gear's Dacia Duster review

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Autocar

Autocar's road test concluded the new car is better almost everywhere than its predecessor, awarding it Best Value Car at the 2025 Autocar Awards. They found the Duster's mantra of "everything you need and nothing you don't" remains fully intact despite the modernisation, and rated rolling refinement and cabin ambiance — previously the car's clearest weaknesses — as genuinely, meaningfully improved.

What Car?

What Car? found the Duster rides comfortably and settles well thanks to soft suspension and small wheels with high-profile tyres, taking the sting out of potholes more gently than pricier rivals like the Jaecoo 5. They noted road and wind noise remain more noticeable than in the Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc, and recommended the six-speed manual over the hybrid automatic, which occasionally changes gear at inopportune moments despite otherwise smooth shifts.

Trims & Engines at a Glance

Only the Hybrid gets an automatic gearbox — the TCe petrol, including the 4x4 version, is manual only. The Bi-Fuel entry engine and 4x4-with-petrol combination have both been discontinued from the current range.

Derivative	Engine	Power	Transmission	Body	0–62mph
Duster TCe 140 Expression / Journey	1.2L 3-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD	138bhp	6-speed manual	SUV	9.4s
Duster Hybrid 155 Journey / Extreme	1.8L full-hybrid petrol, FWD	155bhp	Automatic (multi-mode, clutchless)	SUV	9.4s

Trim walk runs Expression → Journey → Extreme. A handful of exterior colours are offered, with Extreme trim adding its own distinct styling pack. Check Dacia's UK configurator for current pricing.

Strengths

Unmatched value for genuine SUV capability
Real four-wheel-drive option, rare at this price point
Comfortable, forgiving ride over rough surfaces
Refreshingly honest, durable cabin materials

Weak points

Only a three-star Euro NCAP rating
More road and wind noise than pricier rivals
Hybrid automatic gearbox can shift at inopportune moments
No plug-in hybrid option available

Who It Actually Suits

Buyers who want genuine SUV capability and space without paying SUV prices, and who value real off-road ability over the latest safety technology. The manual mild-hybrid is the pick of the range across every review.

Common Dacia Duster Parts & Costs

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