FIRST DRIVE: New Dacia Duster: Still The Ultimate Budget Hero?

[@TopGear]

Still the ultimate budget hero, or has the new Duster got ideas above its station?

[@benjaminhernandez9198]

First

[@Zierfish]

if you just want a car as cheap as possible a Dacia without any options might be a great choice. The moment you go all in, it becomes so expensive you could nearly get a Mini Countryman for the money with a decent discount that Dacia won’t give to you.

[@vangelescu]

@@Zierfish not true! A fully spec Duster will be around 28000 € while a more than decent spec around 25.000€

[@dalibormilic139]

As long you don't mind actually dying in a crash it's a great car. I personally can't stomach 3 stars in EURO NCAP with raised price for which you can get a safer var.

[@poplaurentiu4148]

Might be a new hero to look out for less than 20k price with better looking inside-out : Jetour T2.. it will come from China to Europe by the end of 2024 & starting with 2025..

[@sayyedameerarkhisro1464]

The fact that it looks better than a BMW XM and at the same time more practical plus way more affordable.

[@ok10469]

Yeah you wish lol

[@gymusen]

@@ok10469 he doesn't have to

[@Ktmzqw]

what doesn't look better than a bmw xm?

[@salvi1398]

A cow pat looks better than the XM 😅

[@costafilh0]

The fact that it looks better than a BMW XM is expected because nothing can look worse than that.

[@oachkatzl81]

Good News!!! It's a Dacia

[@morphyon]

Excellent, …now…

[@liviurada86]

Anyway...😂

[@1111Sean1111]

?????

[@kebabaluba]

@@1111Sean1111 It`s a Top Gear thing, James May loved Dacia

[@costafilh0]

I just clicked the video for this. Not even gonna watch it.

[@farmoboy83]

dacia is the way fiat should have kept. Small affordable reliable simple cars for the average joe

[@georginikolov1141]

For the price of this dacia you can drive second hand lexus there is simply no comparison.Dacia materials are very very cheap

[@farmoboy83]

@@georginikolov1141 you can not compare the price of a new with a used car. For the price of a new lexus you could buy a porsche 911 and there is no comparison.

[@your-mom_was_here]

​@@farmoboy83whell i think he just did.Lot of plp compare new and used cars and im one of them

[@simonbowens4489]

​@@georginikolov1141yes, for less than the price (nearly half) of a new Duster, I got a 3 year old Crv, 60+mpg,superb reliabity and build......

[@robhaddock2034]

The design team knocked it out the park.

[@Twin.motors]

I was always anti Dacia but having been in one of these I'm kind of looking for excuses to buy one lol I love the design

[@sidemountsarge]

@@Twin.motors I bought a '15 plate Duster 3 weeks ago for a no frills run-around to cart kit and dogs now my c-class is obsolete and I absolutely love it.

[@stephsoltesz6731]

Such a Terrible shame it will never be seen in North America, we NEED these here and many would love to have one !

[@madassbadgers]

Came to the comments to say this.

[@sudvag]

Why would you say that when you have subarus costing you 20s?

[@zerodqkov341]

Why do you need them 🧐

[@trackingcalin1988]

We need Duster 2.0 and Sandero RS here in Europe too

[@ag.3820]

You get much better cars for a much smaller prices point than this has in Europe. This is priced in Europe like a base Ford Bronco in US, and it’s considered cheap because cars in Europe are so expensive.

[@MyDan36]

That Dakar Dacia is some cyberpunk type sh.t...

[@stevodfn]

Good to see Jason back, I remember him from the Top Gear reboot from the early 2000s

[@moogle68]

This was the best video I've seen from Top Gear in a long while. Awesome cinematography from start to finish, informative review of an appealing/affordable vehicle, all topped off with awesome bonus footage of the company's race car doing race car type things in a gorgeous setting. My only complaint is with something that is not Top Gear's fault at all, and it is that this vehicle and the brand itself are completely unavailable in the US, because we desperately need a _good_ affordable new vehicle like this Stateside, ASAP.

[@oskar6661]

Definitely wish we had some companies with that approach in the U.S. I'm not that old, but I can't stand modern cars - despite having the budget to buy almost anything, I am still driving an older manual car with 200K on it, because I have less-than-zero interest in modern tech/screens/automatic systems, etc. Hope that a counter-culture appears in the future where companies start making cars that just...do car stuff, again. As a car guy it's so weird to live in a timeframe where I don't 'want' cars anymore.

[@Kykot1999]

Why dont you just buy a good looking modern car and mod it to do car stuff, again? If you have the cash. Its no different than having an older car and mod it, its just more expensive i guess?

[@emo3113]

James: "Sad news! The Dacia Sandero. It's delayed." Clarkson: "Oh no! Anyway." Me anytime Dacia is heard/read.

[@alancobbin]

What he said 👍

[@bartoszmiki6774]

Jogger is quite good but Duster is atrocious

[@kushagrakantsaxena]

​@@alancobbin Who still feels a void left Jeremy, James and Hammond? 🙌

[@georgemiu2174]

30 years ago, Dacia cars were terrible. Now, they're sold in dozens of countries, they're selling a lot of cars, they look good and they're really reliable. Well done Renault and Dacia!

[@mathieuschafer1360]

Except Dacias has never been Bad The first Logan was sold for 6000€, and was nothing short of the best value for price ever

[@pegpeg1739]

@@mathieuschafer1360 There were Dacias before the Logan, precisely, and they weren't that good...

[@hhrecordzz2838]

​@@pegpeg1739Solenza and SuperNova were alright

[@TheRealSimeon]

Some of the shots in this video are just incredible! I'd love to take photo's that look like that!

[@devindersingh2468]

Proud owner here, been driving one since 2015. Waiting eagerly for launch of the 7-seater Bigster

[@Rayraysplums]

Im patently waiting too 😊

[@Barroso74]

Me too, presentation is on next Paris Auto Show in 14th October :)

[@P3R5I3dark]

In Romania there is so much hate to this car for no reason just for people to buy third+ hand audi or bmw. Nice to see a clear view on this car by such great channel.

[@jokerash]

Because it should be an affordable car for Romanians. And it's not.For the same price you can buy entry level Tucson or Korando or Suzuki SCross. It's affordable for the rest of the world, with low quality materials and loads of problems for the 1.2 engine 4x2. (gas in oil), many owners are changing the oil every 500km and the dealership does nothing.

[@phenixdev7276]

@@jokerash Dacia is the most reliable brand in Europe, but if you say so 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@yatinpatare8062]

why? In India duster was superhit car

[@P3R5I3dark]

@@jokerash compare characteristics and prices. Duster is more affordable on what it offers than those. Can't compare a hybrid 35k euro car with minimal options with a car that don't get even to 30k with full options. Duster is more budget than those, so. Regarding the engine, it is the same as Renault capture or arkana. I didn't hear much of those problems.

[@YouTubenonesense]

Haters bark online. In reality they are not that many. Numbers prove Dacia is still the market leader in Romania but I wouldn't buy another one at this price untill they will get 5 star NCAP.

[@vishnoyv4377]

Such a great value, wish we got these in the States!

[@desild5869]

A while back I was thinking the Duster 3 is just too small for US at L: 4.34 m (171") x W: 1.83 mm (72") x H: 1.66 m (65") but then I heard about Nissan Kicks (P16; 2024) which is about to launch in US and is based on the same CMF-B platform as the Duster and is even a bit smaller overall at L: 4.37 m (172") x W: 1.8 m (71") x H: 1.63 m (64"). Now I think it's likely one of the terms of the Renault-Nissan alliance is US = Nissan's turf. We'll see what happens to these terms if this alliance continues to crumble. I doubt the Kicks will be a remarkable value product. It looks expensive.

[@lucascooley912]

That slomo dust swirl at 12:29 is such a great capture! Would make a neat poster. Nice job, camera guys!

[@marino6081]

removing 1.5 dci is huge mistake

[@tomcharles6972]

The vehicle Land Rover should have made. Cheap simple but decent off road.

[@danielclark1546]

I got a Dacia extreme, absolutely brilliant car. Its not luxurious but it looks good, comfortable, drives well, never had any issues with it from new, now 2 years old with 24k miles. I get servicing included for an extra £10 a month which is a no brainer for me. I literally can't complain, it undercuts competition while beating it. It might have a cheaper looking interior but that's about it really. The new one seems to have improved on all the little things that would have made it pretty perfect too. It's dependable, it's a great worker. I had a 2018 fiesta st before that and it went wrong on average once a month, I loved it even with all the issues. But I had over 30 warranty fixes in the few years I had it and that's not only ridiculous but pretty unheard of. Not all are like that, I was very unlucky in terms of it's reliability

[@Murphy252000]

Refreshing from Dacia and great to have this presenter back, props from county Derry mucker

[@Baukevandijk]

I hated the duster when it came out back in the day. Now i love it for its honesty. Its a cheap but actual SUV instead of a poor excuse for a city car dressed in mountaineering accessories that bring nothing

[@user-iz8hk1ww7i]

Dacia Sandero was Europe's best selling model in July 24 with 22 398 units sold. Dacia Duster was Europe 4th best selling model with 15 884 models sold in July 24. They are clearly doing something right.

[@Filip333ify]

Dacia used to be synonym of worst of worst even in former eastern block, more than 35 years ago. But ever since taken over by Renault, it gets better and better! And this one very new Duster? Great job!

[@heathphoenix1341]

Small but genuinely impressive suv

[@theanswer1993]

It's not small at all. 517 liters of boot space is way more than its rivals in the same class.

[@gansior4744]

Its not a SUV

[@theanswer1993]

@@gansior4744 of course it is

[@SalomonJose-h9x]

People protesting colonizers taking their resources away... Some random top gear guy years later: "they didn't want a road"

[@Rainersherwood]

Kinda the perfect car for me… wish they sold them in the US. Very slim pickings for affordable awd/4x4 with decent mpg.

[@YouTubenonesense]

Dacia is part of the Renault Nissan alliance. I think a part of these deal was to leave North America for Nissan only.

[@stevencampbell1150]

Have to admit the mention of the old Viva was hilarious!

[@auliamate]

lowkey dacia needs to come to north america with the duster i'd drive the hell out of one, im tired of the constant "big suv" crowd!

[@alexmaddox2255]

As a recent dad, I have an urge to buy one these and mod the hell out of it

[@Armeanu91]

I'm patiently waiting for the 1.8L Dacia Bigster. Fingers crossed for 2025

[@adamrice617]

Cool looking car. If it had an Audi badge, it would sell bucketloads!

[@aryanalfa2444]

Am about to exchange an Alfa for a Dacia, never thought that could happen in my life, but this duster is such a good value for it´s price Im still thinking about it

[@ISAKOCORPORATION]

I am so glad you made the footage in Morocco anyway I live in Marrakech so want to do a little visit?

[@michaelrobson3460]

It's amazing to see how many dacias there are in Marrakech now.

[@dv2045]

Hello there! where was all these scenes filmed? Such a beautiful country!!!!!!!

[@ISAKOCORPORATION]

@@dv2045 all These scenes are filmed in Morocco, EL-AAIOUN

[@dv2045]

@@ISAKOCORPORATION thank you. It will be my first road trip and just 1 question: hows the roads to those spots? will it require a 4x4 or will a 4x2 be enough? Camping outdoor is allowed? Thanks

[@ISAKOCORPORATION]

@@dv2045 I'm not sure if the outdoor camping is allowed but the roads seems fine, if you have a sedan, 4x4

[@florinvoicu5719]

long time driver of german "circles" and "W" SUVs, always liked the design and simplicity of Duster, and I promised myself that I'll buy a Duster as soon as they have a 200hp, 4x4, automatic model... We're getting closer, but I won't hold my breath for it...

[@thesmithersy]

Good news because the Dacia....Duster has been named Budget 4x4 Tow Car of the Year!

[@Galjamakarova6ks2b-wx1ed]

You're incredible, keep making videos!

[@GinoFoto]

Loeb deserved to win the desert trophy. It looks like Dakar is acting as his nemesis, but maybe 2025 will finally be his year.

[@DavidSmith-rk7tf]

Epic car. Both of them. The prodrive Dakar racer is very cool, but the fact a normal car like the duster still exists in the modern world of terrible expensive fat screen-ridden boring cars is the true delight. Allez!!!

[@brymills]

Mate has got one, really can’t fault it when I’ve been in it as a passenger.

[@awesomefrankrapid]

Same, always thought it felt a bit too cheap plasticky inside, but nice car

[@AR-zr1om]

Please please please bring back the diesel and I’ll strongly consider this for my next car

[@Twin.motors]

Diesel is dead. It's a little crazy to expect diesel to come back

[@cal_lywal]

Good to see Jason back on TG's videos - and this very nicely produced one.

[@gilesmcdowall8860]

James May will be ecstatic 🤩 with the new one ❤

[@fotoflorian]

Wish we’d get Dacia in the US…

[@CSAKvids]

I genuinely enjoy seeing yoy present these videos, keep it up

[@ravirajpawar7734]

Sandrider.. That's a cool name..

[@InesElm-dj9tn]

DACIA is best money for quality car tbh

[@Billbeheler89]

They need to bring these budget friendly vehicles to the states! Along with the 506 lol

[@Peter94X]

_in James May's voice:_ *Good news! The new Dacia Duster is here!*

[@dariotsg]

I looked to Dacia and one thing i didn't understand was that they new cars seams already old, design isues(like sovietic models), it looks Renault didn't that economic brand could be a rival to them. But this generation is spot on, finaly they look nice.

[@RastaRider]

Beautiful colour! Nice interior reminds one of the Ford Maverick with a medley of hues and textures. 💯 Cheers from Florida 🌴🤙🏼 082024

[@TorontoMiniClub]

Cars like this is what’s missing in North America.

[@wighatsuperreggie]

It looks amazing on video, and the specs are incredible, price is right, I went down to a dealer and sat in one and immediately felt like a little kid trying to look over the dashboard. Like they are trying to make these cars feel as big as possible, and have this big massive unnecessary front end sticking out trying to look like a big stupid American truck so you have no idea where the end is. I guess I’m kind of spoiled because I’m used to driving Volkswagen van, but I ended up getting a Suzuki Jimmy. I just like the feel of being higher in relation to the dashboard and having a greater direct feeling of the external world to the windows. But this is a very personal experience for me. I certainly miss having that massive trunk (“boot”).

[@server1ok]

The price is up by 40 % since 2022 and by 55 % for the hybrid. RIP

[@EwanWeetch]

Sandero 🤝 🐐

[@Mateicats]

I'm looking forward to the Dacia Bigster. I have a Duster 2 as a cheap beater in eastern Europe and I can't wait to get my hands on a bigger version.

[@athulzakk7892]

Correction: Locals didn’t want the French.

[@yugarten8523]

another correction : Morocco wasn't a french colony !

[@anomalousresult]

​@yugarten8523 eh?

[@nigerianprincesimp]

​@@yugarten8523It actually was

[@notpillow6759]

Also locals had their own roads

[@Checkmate025]

Also the french were building the roads to facilitate the movement of troops and the sucking of resources. All to the detriment of the locals

[@wildernesswheels1022]

Good review. It's the Todghra gorge though not the Dades gorge where you filmed.

[@stevestogsdill5791]

Wish we could get one in the US

[@oussama4629]

americans love big displacements

[@manjunathpatil6759]

Really hope to see this in India, as we had last generation Duster by Renault and we loved it ❤.

[@ammarisrar2005]

GOOD NEWS!!!

[@mileslaw]

"Good News!"

[@1111Sean1111]

Dacia nailed it!! very good looking little car

[@AaronSMcC]

I would buy this - impressive how far they have come

[@wandilendimande7636]

Top Gear how many Presenters do you have?

[@T_Nog]

Yes

[@gebeme11]

Seriously. Every video I watch, they have a different host. And none of them have ANY charisma.

[@SmallBlogV8]

Seems they're giving the entire magazine editorial staff a go.

[@Rinanathar]

@@gebeme11this guy is good. Very

[@solarcell07]

Let Dacia be a Dacia... people's car. I hope Renault doesn't load with too many gizmos...and change it to EV.

[@Ianmundo]

that’s a handsome car, the tech is modestly improved

[@neilb1737]

Has it lost it's diesel engine option and is a hybrid option actually a good thing given that price and simplicity (and reliability?) were the calling cards of the Duster?

[@acefoxuk]

Love the new design, they need to release that extreme concept 😍

[@macbell5375]

Not all in love and addicted to mobile phones. Some of us actually like the in car screen. Made me realise that this is not an expert review early in the video

[@druleraul3601]

Romania and Dacia you did it!!🎉🎉❤

[@santi3991]

I love the looks but I'm not a fan of the powertrain, small engines with turbos suffer a lot on the long run.

[@theodoredeverell3894]

I really hope they sell loads of these so in the near future I can buy one as my upgrade from my first car.

[@dopeytree]

I want one. My favourite ever car was my nissan pathfinder in part because of the split opening rear window but still this new dacia duster gets closer to that feeling and has decent MPG etc.

[@pedrosousa8512]

I love it!!! Well done Dacia!

[@aureliopds]

Good news!

[@InesElm-dj9tn]

18k 4x4 seriousky that's an amazing car for the money and quality

[@أبوهود-ت3ب]

I used to love Dacia because it was in my budget...but now it has become very expensive...China we need your Cheap cars in Morocco

[@alexgrazie93]

Not budget friendly anymore. Price is way too stupid for what it offers

[@TWBJ_01]

Make one with an automatic box and 4x4 and you got me dacia.

[@rodrigomoraes7633]

It's got some Volvo in the design....and that's a good thing....

[@ianjinks4048]

For the money you can't beat its off road ability, also not massive like the some of the good 4x4's. Also can park in the town car park no problem due to size.. sort of car you feel confident and secure in that it wont let you down in any environment. To me it looks a bit like a mini Landover, shame they messed up that market after the Freelander 2.

[@greggScutum]

Imo, two car brands that I find truly honest and desirable: Dacia and Tesla

[@hollinsproductions]

You find Tesla to be truly honest?! 😂

[@DMSparky]

Great presentation, loved this one!

[@BradderzTekkerz]

That’s a brilliant looking thing!! Lose the touch screen and it may be almost perfect that said I like fact they stup have buttons for the basics great work!!

[@NGB.thuri14sv]

Massive improvement. Too bad it doesnt come to my country

[@cornelhansen-juhas1971]

😎 DC DUSTER a great Car

[@pdcichosz]

The salesman at the local dealership told me there isn't a day without someone asking for a 4-pot hybrid 4x4. I'm guessing it's a packaging problem but a missed opportunity still.

[@laurradu868]

It looks like it's on the way. It was seen in testing a mule with electrical rear axle. So, a hybrid hybrid 4x4. I don't know if it will be any good offroading, but it will be a 4x4 hybrid. We have to wait the Bigster for confirmation.

[@leehenry5764]

They make an Electric Dacia but it doesn't sell in uk, it weights less than a tonne.

[@John_2Much_Coffee]

Looks great, performs well, good price. Only concern is long term. How is it after 5 years? Not available to my country, Cheers

[@RmrzX]

As an owner of a 2011 Sandero (Rebadged as Renault in South America) with 82k miles I can tell Dacia's cars are good, quite easy to maintain and very reliable

[@manueldiaspereira8347]

Minute 13:06 and 13:09 Can you please tell me the name of the place?

[@alex_n8863]

Looks great!

[@The_Sin_Eater]

Indded a nice and comprenhensive review and the cinematics are uncredible. A slight mention though: min 6:25...I don't think 4x4 is available on 140 BHP hybrid. Only on 1.2 TCE 130.

[@nicksmpsn6546]

Personally, I use Sat Nav on a regular basis, thus a feature I look for in a car.

[@ianjinks4048]

Ordered mine yesterday , first day for orders in the UK Keeping my old one for Farm work... Just shows how all the other companies rip you off

[@WobbleFruit]

What spec did you go for? Choosing between Journey and Extreme... Not sure I need the 4x4 and apparently the Extreme seats are a bit sweaty.

[@miguelmelchior986]

For a low cost SUV, on point.

[@georgepoungias5919]

In old top gear days, the Duster would chase the Sandrider on dunes.

[@SmallBlogV8]

I wish Dacia's designers hadn't fallen into the fashion trap of making it look really grumpy at the front. The plastic arm on the leading edge of the front doors is unnecessary too. Oh, and the blasted stick-on touchscreen...

[@raduserbanescu7603]

Really good looking car. I’ve been in a drive test with the 4x4 “extreme” version. I think they called it extreme because the only engine available is a 1 liter 3 cylinder. It beats my logic. Why put a tiny engine on a 4 by 4 and a 1.6 on the 4x2 version. Try load it with four or five passengers and som outdoor luggage and then throw it in the wilderness

[@ChrisHolland-kr6yc]

Did anything stop working across that mileage? Shame they added televisions, loved the back to basics old 4x4.

[@rubenjob5309]

Hope this comes to India to shake the competition