Dacia Duster Review | How Is It This Cheap!

This week on Buckle Up, Rob reviews the Dacia Duster Extreme SE. It may well be cheap, but is it any good?
Up against cars such as the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Juke, MG ZS, Skoda Kamiq, Seat Arona, Volkswagen T-Cross, Honda HRV, Toyota Yaris Cross, Renault Captur, Ford Puma, Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka, Citroen C3 Aircross, Fiat 500 x, Audi Q2, Mini Countryman and the Suzuki Vitara can the cheap seats be just as good?
-----------------------------------
BUY OUR MERCH: shop.spreadshirt.co.uk/buckle...
-----------------------------------
Support what we do, and get some bonuses too!
Patreon: / buckleup
-----------------------------------
Follow us on Social Media!
Facebook: / buckle.up.official.pro...
Twitter: / buckleup_show
Instagram: / buckleup_show
Reddit: / buckleup_show
TikTok: vm.tiktok.com/ZMRy9erBk/
---------------------------------
Follow the lads on Twitter:
Rob - / the_rob_wilson_
Harry - / mccrazyfish
Jasper - / wrightjasper
---------------------------------
Follow the lads on Instagram
Rob - / the_rob_wilson_
Harry - / mccrazyfish
Jasper - / jbrucewright
---------------------------------
#BuckleUp #Dacia #Automotive
---------------------------------
Buckle Up is a channel that is only interested in one thing - cars!
We upload a myriad of different content including car review videos, car challenge videos, car news videos and much, much more!
Our videos are made in a similar style to that of Top Gear, Fifth Gear, Car Throttle, Doug DeMuro, carwow, Carfection, The Grand Tour, MotorTrend and many more.
We would all thoroughly recommend their channels, so why not go and check them out.

[@_not_everybodys_darling_6204]

I got my Facelift 1.3tce130 Duster in July last Year and i am still in Love with it. I am a Mom of three Kids and it’s incredible how much Stuff you can fit in this Car. I‘ve done an 9 Hour Roadtrip from the Middle of Germany to Austria and it felt quite good. No Issues till today, a perfect modern Familycar for me. I never felt the need of more or something special. Its pretty practical and looks nice. I think you‘ll see that I love my Car. 😂 Greetings from Germany

[@BuckleUpShow]

Greetings from the UK, glad you like yours as much I liked driving it!

[@hanibenmeriem2392]

💪💪

[@Siara87]

Can you fit 3 kids in the back?

[@stevethom4534]

I have had my Duster Bi Fuel (LPG) face-lift model for 14 months and 19000 miles now. No problems at all plus with a 50ltr petrol tank and 50ltr LPG tank I have a combined range of over 800 miles and pay 79.9p per litre for LPG. I run in LPG mode about 95% of the time and my fuel costs are half that of a petrol only version. I love it so much I have ordered a new one which will have the new Dacia branding and a higher specification (Journey)

[@BuckleUpShow]

Hard to argue with those cost savings!

[@basserphil]

your lpg tank is 50 litres but can usually only take 34 litres , mine takes 34 and is gen 2 not the facelift,

[@rob12841]

​@basserphil no on the later ones we get anything from 42 to 47 litres depending on certain things but in general I'd say 42 to 44 is more common

[@eckwullie579]

My Extreme SE 1.3 Tce is a month old now and I have done about 950 mls having traded my BMW 128ti in for it and I actually prefer it to the BMW. It's a great car and after the BMW it actually feels like I am driving the car and not the car taking me for a drive.

[@BuckleUpShow]

You’re preaching to the choir

[@puma1304]

I rented one for my Patagonia trip and I was very impressed! And in the meantime I begun to REALLY like this vehicle. It has everything that I want and need, not more, nor less, and for a price you could only dream some time ago... I really recommend it, and lets hope Dacia/Renault stay true to this amazing concept and do not try to sell us overprized versions in the future!!! It is just fantastic the way it is and I am sure there lies the reason for its world-wide success!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Sounds like the perfect vehicle for your road trip that we’re not jealous of at all 😅

[@davidolivier1594]

I'm from South Africa where it is sold as a Renault. Only the 1.5 turbo diesel engin available in S.A. I've got the 4WD which is amazingly capable off road and very frugal.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Would love to have a go in the 4WD version. Thanks for watching!

[@rob12841]

I have the 2022 prestige 4x2 bifuel and got mine in may. Done over 6000 miles now and it’s been great. Couple of niggles to sort when it goes in for service but overall a great car and I’d certainly buy another for 18k. Haven’t even tried the heated seats yet! I’ve had golf’s, polos, 17 plate Ibiza and a 17 plate Leon. I liked my most recent car the Citroen c4 spacetourer but this is by far better value. LED headlights are brilliant and better than the Leon ones by a country mile! Very happy owner and at 79p a litre from my local Morrisons for lpg it was a savvy purchase too!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for sharing (and watching!)

[@michaelflinn7784]

The 4x4 version is simply unbelievably good. Puts many heavy duty 4x4's to shame

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’ve got one booked as a rental car in Iceland this month and I’m very much looking forward to trying it out

[@michaelflinn7784]

@@BuckleUpShow please give us feedback of your thoughts. It's almost getting to cult status it's so good.

[@Kenneth_Rogers]

The 4x2 can keep up with some 4x4 vehicles. I'm sharing a video of me driving on off road in Israel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5e9qaKYoLNkpLM

[@hjorleifuringason2778]

You probably didn't get disappointed, my 4x4 diesel is absolutely great in the heavy snow we have here now

[@michaelflinn7784]

@@hjorleifuringason2778 I'm in South Africa and do a fair amount of overlanding in many of our trails here. It's sold as a Renault Duster here. It's amazing how many you see in the desert conditions of Namibia when I did a trip through the Skeleton Coast

[@Ekuahx]

I work in a mine as a geologist and in addition to Hiluxs and L200 we have around 10 Dusters, and thwyre absolutely amazing. Really good 4x4s, cheap and quite tough. Thwtes basivally never anything wrong with them, which can't be said about the Hiluxs...

[@BuckleUpShow]

Wow that’s impressive

[@viktorroswell1041]

I have two! ‘18 manual and a ‘22 automatic lovely cars and as the reviewer states for the money you can’t beat it! Also my wife is on her 2nd Stepway (‘22) only downside is the electric hand brake on hers can’t get on with it personally but she likes it so that’s that!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad to hear, thanks for watching!

[@lexa7759]

I Love the car. My Duster Extreme has 150 hp and is a dream. Greetings from Germany.

[@BuckleUpShow]

That’ll be a little rocket ship! Thanks for watching!

[@TheMisterB2u]

Yes I'm looking to buy the 1.3 automatic.Is it a smooth gearbox and is is fun to change the gears manually with +/- gearbox lever?

[@rosswhittleton6277]

Good honest cars like Skodas. Decent thorough review too.👍

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching!

[@dimtim4298]

Had my Duster extreme 90 for a month now. great car and really impressed for the price. was meant to come with Apple / Android wireless but due to chip shortage it got removed but not a big deal using the USB cable. Got all the power I need for most the time but think 1.3 would be fun. didn't think I used the 360 camera but using it all the time now.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad you’re enjoying yours, I thought it was a great car! Thanks for watching!

[@dhm1983]

Would the mg5 not be it's direct competition? Also is this the same 1 litre turbo that's in the Sandero?

[@BuckleUpShow]

I don’t think so as that’s starts at £30,995 which is nearly double what the Duster is. The 1 litre turbo is the same but you can have different power outputs.

[@leahjohnstone7419]

I love the orange detailing, except for the "Duster" branding on the back

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’m sure there’ll be a aftermarket way to deal with that

[@ShipspottingUK]

just brought a 2019 duster - great video

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewhoult]

Nice review, I have an LPG version myself (22 plate prestige)and just to correct you a little, it IS possible to get the Bi-Fuel option still in the UK. How much longer is anyones guess but it's saved me a ton of money as my local texaco has it at 74.9p per litre at the moment. I get 30mpg on LPG (perhaps 35mpg on motorway cruise) and 45mpg on petrol. I rarely use the petrol and as a consequence I always fill with super unleaded and preferably zero ethanol. Having petrol with ethanol in the tank for long periods of time is perhaps the only thing to worry about imho. I'm waiting for the day they make a duster with PHEV and Bi-Fuel which would be a hell of a car with 4x4 too perhaps? I can only dream. Dacia must be giving it some thought with the upcoming ban on ICE soon. LPG stations are not as plentiful as I'd like but its still a lot less of an issue than charging points imho. LPG is much better for the environment than petrol or diesel, cheaper and the engine stays cleaner for longer, after 6000 miles so far my cars oil is barely turning brown. Worth noting if you fill the 40 litre LPG tank and the 50 litre petrol tank then the range is insane...

[@BuckleUpShow]

At the time this was recorded the LPG version had been taken off sale, but I understand it was then re-added. Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed!

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

I've the 22plate BiFuel too. But it has a 50ltr LPG tank. You can only get up to about 45-48ltrs in that thought. I drive at 60 on the motorway to work (about 22 miles each way - you'd be surprised at how many more drivers are slowing to save fuel and make it more cost effective) and I average about 40mpg on LPG and 50mpg on unleaded 👍

[@chrislockey7706]

Good review Rob However I've recently bought a Duster with the 1.3tce engine and I wouldn't want any less power, I can't imagine the 90bhp version being very good.

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s personal preference, I guess. I’m always up for more power, but in class, 90bhp is sufficient.

[@grantfryer407]

pretty sure that faux leather plasticy stuff is called pvc/vinyl like in the 80's does it have an external temp gauge? like my cars to have one unfortunately my duster 4x4 13 plate doesn't but I still love it 😊😊

[@BuckleUpShow]

It has one on the infotainment display if you get one of the specs with one fitted, it doesn't always show when you're using android auto or apple car play though

[@DeepakKumar-mn4dr]

I need some advice. Planning to buy Duster Expression TCE 90. Is this is good enough engine (90HP) or is it weak? My primary usage is in city with occasional motorway drive....Is anyone driving Duster TCE 90, kindly share your feedback. Thanks

[@BuckleUpShow]

You'll be fine with the TCe 90

[@oliverstemp9132]

It’s really hard to decide between the Duster and Jogger. The MG ZS petrol might be slightly nicer than the Duster, but then the Jogger is still the best Dacia.

[@BuckleUpShow]

The Jogger has rather upstaged the Duster, but that doesn’t mean the Duster is anything less than really impressive

[@thisIsRC]

It is hard to decide between to two indeed! The Jogger doesn't have an automatic option, so I'm going for the Duster. But if I was a manual car person I'd go for the Jogger.

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

Personally, I see them as two different cars. The Duster is definitely a cross-over. I got mine as I'm a fly fisherman and needed something to cope with rough terrain. Mine is the BiFuel Prestige. The Jogger is more a people carrier, in my eyes. But what a bargain for a 7 seater. With regards to the MG? I think it looks too angular to me. I really like the shape and hight of my duster... and the Arizona Orange is lovely! 🥰

[@skindia7171]

It may be cheap but it's very good that you drive and looking nice.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Why thank you ☺️

[@skindia7171]

@@BuckleUpShow welcome 😜😜😜

[@danpaul4975]

No lie, I'll be getting one of these in a few months... To replace a Tesla model 3 😁

[@BuckleUpShow]

Seems like a sensible upgrade to us 👍

[@eckwullie579]

I have the Extreme 1.3 Tce in Urban Grey. Went from a 70 plate BMW 128ti to the Duster and have to say I prefer the Duster, especially when washing it for some reason. It is just pure rugged simplicity. I think you will love it compared to the Tesla.

[@BertfromBelgium]

on my 2nd Duster, first was a 2017 Laureate, was total loss, damm tesla speeding into my rear, but now i have a 2020 comfort

[@BuckleUpShow]

Glad you’re enjoying them, even if one was written off

[@Jimbo-bs3wm]

Really undecided between the 1ltr 90 or 130. Any advice? 2 kids and the wife with the occasional full load for a normal family car….

[@BuckleUpShow]

If a 130 is in budget why would you not go for it, for normal cruising the economy will be near enough identical but you'll have some extra get up and go, which is always a good things

[@anthonycoleman5761]

Just let you know, you can get LPG in UK ,I have ordered one and get it January 2023.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Oh, is that a recent thing because it wasn’t an option when this was filmed?

[@rob12841]

@@BuckleUpShow it was a free option for me, it’s now a £500 option and well worth it if you haven’t got to go far for it. It was temporarily not an option due to parts shortage. Before the shortage it was a free option. Just hope they don’t do the Skoda route and lose the appeal of value for money.

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

You won't be disappointed, buddy! Depending on how you drive (I'm 60mph on the motorway) I get 40mpg from the LPG and 50mpg from the petrol. That can take me up to 1,000 miles on the two tanks. Mine's the Arizona Prestige 22plate

[@filharmoniker1]

What is width of a back seat ? can anyone measure it ?

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s not our car so you might be best asking an owners forum or looking on the Dacia website

[@kunstderfugue]

I believe in Latin America this model is sold as Renault Duster

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yeah that’s right, they’re sold as Renault’s in a lot of places

[@mgk7963]

I have seen many experts views on this car. No one bad review,

[@BuckleUpShow]

Do I count as an expert?

[@dhm1983]

I'd be torn between the jogger and the duster. Only thing that puts me off the jogger is the 1 litre petrol engine.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’ve driven the Jogger with that engine and it’s actually quite spritely. It has 109hp and the Jogger is lighter than the Duster. Go test drive one and let us know what you think 👍

[@justso1823]

The duster has a better driving position soaks up the bumps better but is noisy when it's windy

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

@@justso1823 I really like climbing UP into my Duster. I feel safer!

[@ow3x3xpr3ss]

"Dead pedal" rest u have in a left hand drive model 😜. good vid . Cheers

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching

[@TheMisterB2u]

Not sure if right hand drive models have left leg rest(I think not),but on Ebay you can buy after market fitments.

[@phillipbonalde1859]

good vid

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mattyboy88979]

you can have lpg in this country ive ordered one coming in april

[@BuckleUpShow]

The option had been removed from the website at the time of recording, it was only unavailable to order for a few weeks but unfortunately we have to go with the information available at the time we make the videos

[@muijsenberg-theatremusicmo8078]

Doubting, whether to buy the Jogger or Duster on LPG, live in Spain. I'm 6 foot 2 tall... Then which one would serve me best?

[@BuckleUpShow]

You'll fit in both, you're more likely to be able to get a Duster quickly though as the Joggers are still being built for order so there isn't much stock at dealerships

[@muijsenberg-theatremusicmo8078]

@@BuckleUpShow thanks... Which one is less thirsty on LPG?

[@BuckleUpShow]

The Jogger, it's lighter and more aerodynamic

[@TheMisterB2u]

Duster has a higher seating position.I think people buy the Jogger because of longer body(estate car) and seven seats!

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

@@muijsenberg-theatremusicmo8078 I drive at 60mph on the motorway. I get 40mpg on LPG and 50mpg on petrol. That's FAR from thirsty, my friend 👍 72p-79p a litre here in the UK is almost half the price of Petrol.

[@STOG01]

It's baffling that people don't recognize that its still "cheap" - if they're trying to measure it in 2010s prices. And they compare to models that are at least 3000 more expensive, or even used ones. There's probably the Suzuki Jimny is you don't mind less space and the Jeep-y exterior.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yep. Plenty of people in the comments think it’s not cheap. I don’t get it either.

[@mrmrmrcaf7801]

This engine is ment to go with LGP...I don't understand why it is sold in UK , probably to have a cheap entry engine. Anyway get the TCe 130 or 150 bhp and if you use 4x4 a lot get the diesel

[@BuckleUpShow]

We don’t get all those engine choices unfortunately

[@YouTubenonesense]

The savings come from low paid workers. A Romanian working at the Mioveni factory would earn at least 3 times less than his counterpart in the western Europe.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Surely that would apply to a hell of a lot of other car manufacturers who build cars outside of ‘Western Nations’?

[@SorinAcelasi]

@@BuckleUpShow its more about the amount of old design/already used in old Renault cars parts.

[@btf1287]

lmao you think german machinery is all made in germany?

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

... and yet their government is probably not shafting their citizens financially and through taxation like ours is, eh!? 🤔Their cost of living is much lower in many instances, n'all. As another commenter stated in your thread; there's older Renault technology which constitutes much of the technical components. I like the tight hand volume paddle, for example. I had one in my 11reg Megane and still prefer it.

[@peacockking3687]

Everything you need and most of the things you want, why spend more

[@BuckleUpShow]

Exactly!

[@CosgroveNotts]

Great car if your not in the rally team

[@BuckleUpShow]

What’s wrong with the rally car?

[@robwilson7189]

I still don’t know how it’s so cheap!

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s incredible value for money

[@btf1287]

real question is how is every other car SO expensive, specially if you dont live in northern europe the greed and opportunism is maddening

[@Alexdj44]

Diesel 4x4 version just couple years ago costs about 19000€. This year 23-24000€. Estonia. Not that cheap anymore. If we take a look at prices in Finland 25000€ is starting price. Goddamn EU law&tax makers make everything f×cking expencive.

[@Alexdj44]

@@btf1287 taxes,taxes... Thank to our leaders.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I mean, the increase from 19 - 24 is all inflation, not really anything to do with taxes

[@McCrazyFish]

It's good, but i'm happy with my dogger

[@BuckleUpShow]

*Jogger

[@arnoldtabor3767]

They save the money by not including the electronic safety gear that essentially makes it like you never have to pay attention

[@BuckleUpShow]

I don’t know about you, but I tend to pay quite a lot of attention when I’m driving

[@arnoldtabor3767]

@@BuckleUpShow I know 🤣 especially in areas that are built up. I will say someone walks out on a duster they should be sent for an eye test can't miss em

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

@@arnoldtabor3767 Especially as mine's the bright orange Arizona, too 😂

[@TheDa6781]

It is not that cheap anymore. Not unless you take the basic model.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yes it is, everything else has also gotten more expensive in case you hadn’t noticed

[@TheDa6781]

@@BuckleUpShow any addons to the basic config and you are better off buying suzuki xcross light hybrid. Much nicer interior for the same price.

[@BuckleUpShow]

The xcross is not sold in the UK, and as far as we can work out, doesn't exist

[@TheDa6781]

​@@BuckleUpShow ah, a typo. I meant S Cross. I test drove both cars and the quality and feel of the suzuki is much better for pretty much the same price. I really wanted to like the duster, but the interior is pretty spartan.

[@BuckleUpShow]

So the S-cross starts from £26099 and a top spec Duster Extreme dCI 115 4x4 with all options ticked is £25,420

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

…. but does it offer better safety? The Dacia vehicles may be cheap but their record when it comes to overall safety is shocking! I’d rather have a safer vehicle over aesthetic changes!

[@BuckleUpShow]

At this price point the Duster is competing with used cars, all of which it beats handily on safety

[@buhu9929]

@@BuckleUpShow volvo from 1985 or 1989 mercedes is a spaceship compared to dacia.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Erm, no....

[@eoinstechhobbychannel-eoin6609]

It's only shocking as a consequence of the newer NCAP digital testing, I understand. For collision, it's quite good but it falls down on the digital side of assessments. Personally, I'd rather be in a Duster, given the higher riding hight, as I suspect I might walk away from many bashes than other cars that fare better in the testing. I believe (perhaps wrongly, but my opinion) that too much technology is making drivers less aware and less cautious on the road; relying on technology rather than common sense and riving ability.

[@jadams3427]

I have driven 1.3 million miles, and I just don't do crashing.

[@buhu9929]

How is it so cheap? Look the crash test then you see why it's cheap.

[@BuckleUpShow]

It only scores low because of the lack of ‘safety tech’ like pre collision warning, lane keep assist etc

[@Piotrekx3]

Cheap? coz it's plastic and so bad looking!

[@BuckleUpShow]

Wrong and wrong 😅

[@Piotrekx3]

@@BuckleUpShow What do you mean :D

[@BuckleUpShow]

I mean that you’re wrong on both counts

[@Piotrekx3]

@@BuckleUpShow It isnt plastic?

[@BuckleUpShow]

@@Piotrekx3 Most of it is metal, some bits are plastic. Just like most new cars.