New Dacia Duster in-depth review: cheap car, good car?

2022 Dacia Duster review: carbyr.uk/39bbtXE
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The Dacia Duster may not be as cheap as it used to be, but it’s still the best-value family SUV on sale right now. Opt for a mid-spec and you get all the must-have features, like a touchscreen with phone connectivity and alloy wheels, all for considerably less than a base-spec Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca. The Duster offers four-wheel-drive versions if you need a cheap off-roader, and a Bi-Fuel version that’s a cheaper alternative to a hybrid SUV. Practicality is good too. Of course, the Duster’s low price means you go without luxury trimmings or particularly modern underpinnings, but is it worth a look if you’re after an inexpensive family car? Nicola puts it to the test.
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00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Interior and technology
03:58 - Driving
07:00 - Boot space
07:35 - Rear seats
08:10 - Dealmakers and dealbreakers
08:58 - Verdict

[@arethagrassi6420]

I bought the prestige one with everything extra! I simply can't understand why ppl are still bashing Dacia. I am so happy that I choose a duster.. Best buy for my money.

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

Me too! I’ve had mine six weeks… love it 😉👌❤️

[@mariuspislaru2108]

This car is created by Renault specialy for Romania country 🇦🇩 bad roads .....we are normal people with no motorway 😀

[@EDD-xr4ub]

@Marius Pislaru would be better if you'd put the 🇷🇴 romanian flag not the moldavian flag.

[@chrisstevens8505]

Bought mine June 2021,totally agree does everything that an Audi ..VW..etc for half the price.

[@sjcap4233]

Ignore nay sayers if your happy with it who cares what other people think, i don't own one but they good honest cars.

[@good2008boy20]

This car gets bashing reviews online while actually it sells quite well on streets

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Only badge snobs will run this car down

[@sevesellors2831]

Great review Nicola had my fair share of premium brands bought a Duster had it 18 months been brilliant so much for so little. Don’t ask why so cheap ask why the others are so expensive! As they say you do the maths.

[@Tom_Roberts]

She's the best reviewer - all the info you need and great presentation.

[@andydavis7254]

Good enthusiastic review. Cheap as chips off reader. Top job

[@drink4711]

Nicola's reviews are a breath of fresh air. Great job!

[@casperdog777]

For lpg version you can buy a get you home spare wheel for about £100 to £150. I have the smaller Stepway lpg and the only problem is the Ukrainian war. Less lpg gas to buy. My Dacia has been 100% reliable.

[@trooper64428]

I have seen the Dacia Duster going up against a Toyota land cruiser, in an off road comparison video, it was through the woods, thick mud and up hill through thick mud, and the little Duster was able to hold its own, I've also seen the little duster going over sand dunes. Amazing little car. The 2023 version is even better.

[@drivingthefrontier]

I paid £14,000 new in 2016 for a Diesel 4x4 version Ambiance as it was then (mid range) and I don't think they are over-priced. Great video Nicola.

[@mouadelboughdadi5603]

Hi I want to buy duster 2016 4wd what do you think !!

[@drivingthefrontier]

@@mouadelboughdadi5603 great vehicle, bodywork does not take knocks well but the 4x4 is economical and comfortable

[@bumblebee2956]

This car has lots of potential over the years. I still hope they will make a great package in budget

[@lusay4832]

Love my duster 2019🥰 love this review☺☺love from sweden

[@eugendanielcristea9472]

Sweden wow,hellou from Romania🤝🏻

[@ernieburke3695]

Great informative review.

[@grahamjohnson4702]

With the earlier Dusters you could make the boot floor flat by lifting the seat squabs, a little difficult to replace after use but if you needed the extra it was available. Is this still not possible?

[@JohnJohnson-jm8ku]

Second generation Duster looks so much better than the first generation model. There's a much, much bigger difference in appearance than when Volkswagen launches a new generation of Golf for example.

[@endimion180]

DD 2019 1.5 dci..79 000 km and 0 problems....

[@maartenk7513]

Also worth nothing that some manufacturers manage to create wheel covers that look like alloy. Dacia must be the first to produce alloy wheels that look like plastic wheel covers 😅

[@lexa7759]

I drive the 150hp duster Extreme 4x4 and the car is a dream. A really great car.

[@stiggy186]

We don't get these here in the States, but every year I go to Mexico for the Baja 1000 and the Renault-badged versions are everywhere. I so very desperately want one lol. Fantastic review!

[@joemclaughlin995]

The Dacia Duster and it's bullet proof diesel engine is the one to go for ! Excellent torque and great mpg.

[@SurferKroky]

What kind of mpg you getting ?

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. The cheapest and best SUV for those on a budget

[@Theo_005]

great review :)

[@888ssss]

ive had one for three years and irs an excellent workhorse. good engines too.

[@nigelmitchell5726]

Nicola , great stuff 💓

[@nasosgreece45]

Looking for this car for a while now… such a lovely little suv

[@andygtv]

Very nice presentation 👍😀

[@grahambloxsome3226]

I've a 2021 Comfort 1.3 130bhp Duster as well as a 2015 Sandero Stepway 1.5dci, both are excellent cars. They don't have the flash kit of a Merc ir Range Rover, but they don't have the tendency to breakdown either, unlike these brands.

[@FantomLightning]

Really like Nicolas review, reminds me funnily enough of Mat with her style. Fitting considering the shot of the earlier white Duster was from him.

[@carbuyer]

Good spot!

[@gedmcmahon619]

Good Honest review Nicola. I really like where Dacia are going with their cars.. Styling wise there's huge improvement especially with the Sandero.. They remind me of Skoda from a few years ago. Anyway for most people it comes down to affordably with decent enough spec and Dacia are doing well in that department. Thanks for the review..

[@peromalmstrom7668]

A polite request... Im asking All car reviewers and Auto Journalists to do the same. Please show and let us know detailed information about the tyre that comes with the new vehicle (Brand, type, summer/winter/all-season, speed, size and general auto industry tyre reviews grading of the tyre - meaning, good, average, bad)) Why? 2 Reasons... 1. The tyre is the most important safety feature of any car, as it is the ONLY thing that connects the vehicle with the road, regardless of how good or poor the car is itself. 2. By Auto Journalists and car KZbinrs doing this, it will hopefully start vehicles manufacturers taking note. It may even hopefully push them towards going with best ranked tyre manufacturer, or at least offering different tyres for a customer to have a choice that will be put on the vehicle, with the best available tyre, as well as a tyre that is suitable for the time of year that it is sold. For example, living in Northern Scotland, UK, every time i pick-up a new car, often in December, regardless of European car manufacturer, they 'only' put summer tyres on it for the UK market. Yet the safe and sensible customer focused safety thing to do, would be putting on All Season tyres as a minimum. So for last 10 years, every new car i have had (5), from picking the car up at a dealership, within 30 minutes I've had to drive straight to a tyre specialists (If road conditions allow and no snow or ice) and put on Winter Tyres and in recent years with tyre technology, All Season tyres. This is often an extra £1000+ cost on top of what I've just paid for the vehicle. It is crazy and frustrating car manufactures will not listen or change and car nothing to the safety of their customers, certainly in the UK market. Thank-you..

[@clawrence6190]

I have to agree with this. I’ve been trying to find out what tyres come with the new Duster Journey 1.3 but no joy. I just know I’ll end up putting on Michelin CrossClimate tyres within days of taking delivery of it. I wish car manufacturers would provide at least a paid option of all-weather tyres.

[@salahgh3081]

You didn't mention what engines are available and horse power

[@tomattime]

Nicola at her natural best, delivering a detailed dust down on the Dacia, Duster. Delicious

[@irving_g]

Recently we heard that Nicola has a serious back injury, due to CARRYING ALL CARBUYER CHANEL. Joking aside, love all the videos. Thx carbuyer!

[@maartenk7513]

Every time i see a Duster video, I wonder why they don not put in a decent self dimming rear view mirror...

[@charlestaylor8566]

A stand out outstanding car , simples !

[@octaviantudor]

Beautiful, attractive, cheerful, elegantly frank, modern, clever, fashionable, no overly extravagant - a real joy. The car, not bad either.

[@trumpjongun8831]

The car is unreliable. Don't know about the woman tho

[@garyhobson2712]

Bet its a good ride, dont know about the car tho

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

@@trumpjongun8831 you'd be one of the only ones saying that, buddy! On customer reliability, Dacia turned out 2nd being Lexus and way above VW, Skoda, Ford, etc.. on customer satisfaction Dacia finished 1st with Lexus 2nd... (source: Honest John owners' survey - NOT reviewers trying to mimic Jeremy Clarkson while comparing the Duster to a Mercedes GLA or VW Tiguan at twice, three times the price)

[@trumpjongun8831]

@@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737 It's only a cheap Renault and Renault's are not reliable. In my country Dacia Duster is always on last spots in car inspection fault statistics.

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

@@trumpjongun8831 I love these ‘generalised’ and rhetorical comments. I spent a considerable time sifting through surveys, reviews, videos and owner comments before opting for my new Duster. I’ve had two Renault Meganes and both were reliable, economical and safe. I’d have had another but the duster was, for the value, much better an option. So, here we have you, the fountain of all knowledge as regards car’s versus moi, an owner of both cars that you slate as unreliable. My choice was based on scores and scores of owner satisfaction comments. Virtually ALL negative comments were from people who simply spout hearsay. Rhetoric; “my dad’s aunty’s nephew’s great uncle’s best mate’s sister said that Dacias are useless ‘cos they’re Renault’ 🙄👎

[@frans5470]

Hi Nicola, great vid...one thing though...what about safety ? EuroNcap scores ? Keep up the good work ! 😎🙋🏼‍♂️

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

You must bear in mind that the new NCAP ratings recently took on board digital technology, much of which isn't included in Dacia cars, for obvious reasons of exorbitant costs. My Prestige Duster has blind spot warning, cameras all round and other newer technology. It strikes me that much of the newer technology that has been incorporated into the NCAP testing has the potential to (a) save lives, and (b) subconsciously encourage drivers to become less alert and even lazier on the road, The actual car structure itself is still, physically safe!

[@andreipopescu5342]

what most manufacturers of... stuff today seem to miss is that people are actually willing to PAY MORE to avoid needless complexity. I myself am one of those people. Sure I'll get something more comfy glitzy cushy screeny that maybe even drives itself for my wife to drive the kids around, but for me this is the car I want AND need. I just don't see Chuck Norris driving around in a Nissan Qashqai :D

[@mickbryan7716]

You done a good job

[@missionfitnessarmyfit1466]

Ordered a brand new prestige model last month. The kit in that car is unreal! For less than 20k! Bargain, now have to wait 6 months because of the chip shortage

[@sharoncampbell9022]

I’ve just ordered a new SE model - the wait is the worst thing!

[@jgrav1205]

I got a new prestige a couple of months ago…. Love it !…

[@grahamjohnson4702]

Perhaps go for a Chinese chippy will be quicker.

[@harisOdavath]

Host 10/10 Carbuyer back to its best

[@aceofspades5786]

Great review, what's best 1.5 diesel or 1.6 petrol. Bi fuel waste of time atm with gas crisis.

[@M4V3RiCkU235]

1.5 diesel. Pulls better, has better fuel economy, more torque.

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

@@M4V3RiCkU235 disagree! I’ve the LPG Duster for six weeks. It pulls really well and I can fill it on 40ltr for £29! I’m averaging 40mpg on the LPG too so getting almost 400miles on that tank. Plus, I have the 50ltr petrol ⛽️ tank. But that takes nearly £80 to fill… doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that although the LOG gets fewer miles per gallon, the comparative cost of the fuel is much lower. At my local ASDA it’s 72.7p per ltr.

[@Ambienfinity]

Great review - it's the Bic biro of the car world. I like this car a lot. I suspect it will turn out to be just as reliable as much more expensive cars, and certainly seems an agreeable little beast.

[@trumpjongun8831]

Unreliable. It was one of the worst on inspection statistics in our country.

[@barryjmarling]

Great video,only worry about this car is the LPG, are there still many LPG pumps available? I’m a tanker driver and have noticed that Shell seem to have removed all there LPG pumps.

[@carbuyer]

That's the thing - it needs to work for you and LPG definitely isn't as popular as it once was. But remember this car is sold in a number of different markets, so what doesn't work for us, might for others!

[@tmdosu]

Don't know where you are, but LPG in Romania are almost everywhere.

[@waynedavies8130]

Really great presenter!

[@simoncopson9291]

Having just spent 2k on a new headlight for my 5 series I’m seriously considering getting one of these. Suck of pumping money into it!

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

Perfect for the err forests...

[@cthulhstu]

I not so secretly would love a Duster. A guilty pleasure. I imagine it would be great in all wheel drive spec for lugging me and my mountain bikes around. Although a bit more performance would be nice. Maybe a cheeky engine swap for a decently powered Renault engine to stick with theme.

[@donlucchese7280]

Let's wait for Bigster, makes more sense.

[@rufysufy]

I feel like dacia has taken the place of skoda nowadays. Skoda aren’t the great value they used to be.

[@kristians2704]

skodas have never been better and aside from the Enyaq, they're all still very cheap for what you get

[@dunyaakl8952]

Skoda is not really worse than vw,in some segments it’s cars have better quality inside the cabin and generally better such as Kamiq/t cross Karoq/t roc Octavia/jetta But in dacia’s case,it is far from renault.It really feels cheap.So skoda have better quality products compared to vw whereas dacia is nowhere near ,not even half as good as a renault(quality wise)so yeah,it is drastically different.

[@Mircea076]

@@dunyaakl8952 Not good at what? Sandero is a Clio and i have both,the only difference is less noise and better plastics in Clio,that is it.

[@sssssneaker]

@@kristians2704 Problem is they're the same price as VW if you compare exactly same specs

[@julianvizio2190]

Man that roads are dangerously thin

[@robertosantoro9685]

Very nice review. I'm not interested in this car but kept watching this because I found it quite nice.

[@j.romanorov]

I m at third Dacia Duster and togeter them accumulate almost 2 mil km,and not only on road,i use go to forestry roads mud off road bad romanian roads country roads farm roads on montains,and still cheap to service...yes isnt a car u may go to holidays or in Monaco with ur mistress,but is a car special to save money to your poket.

[@junedkaka]

Nicola , excellent review . You made it such a treat to watch

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Juned!

[@rob12841]

Ive seen the lpg option cost no extra so get it if you can why wouldnt you? You can also run on petrol just fine, youve just got more options open with an lpg too. I get about 350 give or take miles for £42/44. (2024 prices used to be less than £40) Had the 22 plate bifuel prestige 2 years and 18k miles. Mostly ran it on lpg and only done about 500 odd miles on petrol. If you dont live near lpg outlets and sticking to petrol, the 150 edc is amazing to drive. Quick and quiet engine, smooth seemless gearchanges and an engine thats used in renault, nissan and mercedes.

[@fplbreakfast6463]

I think you'll find this one is based on the newest shape Clio hence the new panels. 😬

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

I thin the new Sandero and Stepway are based on the Clio platform, not the Duster.

[@stevenuttley]

Most Duster reviews are still talking about relatively poor safety issues and poor crash test results. The last NCAP crash tests seem to relate to the 2018 model though. Can anyone find a 2022 NCAP rating?The 2022 model has all new body panels and other additional features so a 2018 test seems like it may no longer be valid.

[@tonyrea7854]

It's a smart looking vehicle and does what it says on the tin! They all go one way to the scrapyard!

[@richards4456]

I get Sky F1's Will Buxton vibes from Nicola's presentation style. Anyone else think the same?

[@oldgriff8559]

2023 Duster on order

[@ian9outof10]

I wonder if they could have kept the price down a bit by not changing every panel. The Duster has always been fine, I'm not sure what messing around with it really achieves beyond increasing the development cost.

[@charlestaylor8566]

Agree, could have just put out some brighter colours ! Like my 1.3 Tce comfort , don’t know if the 1ltr is big enough .

[@grahamjohnson4702]

Gives the development department a reason for being there.

[@foppo100]

@@grahamjohnson4702 And the cost goes up.

[@abhisheksajwan8877]

My favorite car

[@stevecadby9551]

Did she work on the shopping channel?

[@eddiejones.redvees]

The extra £15 month is going to the pay for the rise in my home fuel bills and I will keep the car I have it is a good use car at less than half the cost of a new car

[@Alisher1]

thanks for english practise

[@RaShadowYT]

Got a 2017 AWD. Shares a lot with Nissan, not just Renault. So... gearbox, diff and other things. Very reliable and very cheap to fix. Only downside was fixed with the 2022 model... thats fuel consumption. The model I have just drinks petrol and has a very small tank. So yeah, im saving for the 2022 AWD.

[@grahamjohnson4702]

Tank average for class 50 liters.

[@CosgroveNotts]

Tce 90 is ok. Plenty fast enough for uk congested roads. Go to track day if you want to be a boyracer

[@arikotiranta2689]

good car a have 4wd 2022

[@antonbaljkas4127]

This is not new duster.. it's a facelift..

[@gotcharamsys]

10 year's off facelift 😂😂👍

[@carbuyer]

Looks like it - yet every panel is new!

[@antonbaljkas4127]

@@carbuyer i don't know where you heard that, but that's not true.. it's the same 2. generation duster, just redesigned.. new Y shape LED lights, new infotainment from sandero and different alloy wheels.. that's it. Even Dacia says it's a facelift

[@sssssneaker]

@@antonbaljkas4127 Where do they use that term? The UK website insists it's "new" or "All-New"

[@sssssneaker]

@@carbuyer Then it's a.. uhm. Whole Body Lift?

[@iainansell5930]

whats the safety like? the new dacia jogger got 1 star out of 5 on the NCAP safety tests recently... think my families safety is worth a bit more than that..

[@arethagrassi6420]

The duster only got bad NCAP test 3.5 because of the pedestrian safety, but why blame the car for ppl who can't watch where they are going!

[@dan_6915]

3:04 Elf is missing from there. Not funeh !

[@bondjames652]

It looks and feels cheap but it drives really nice. I

[@nextbest]

Prices creeping up.Yes still value for money but getting closer in price to more premium brands.

[@cosmincelau6157]

Don't know why, I think you would make for a great impersonation of the young Minerva in Harry Potter. So you could be a really good witch.

[@nicolahume]

Ok. You have no idea what a massive Harry Potter fan I am and this comment is probably the greatest comment I’ve ever received!🤓⚡️

[@cosmincelau6157]

@@nicolahume Maybe that's why you're emitting all those kind of vibes. For me at least. Good luck then, maybe some day it will happen, you never know.

[@harshamk6207]

French engineering rocks 🪨🎸😎👌 the 🌎

[@adabartor]

So next Dacia Jogger ???

[@carbuyer]

It's coming!

[@zumamo5922]

A very good car, realy 👏👏👏👏

[@dqkneely9803]

im sold...

[@Wellnessinspire22]

Bigger than a qashqai , cheaper than a micra ! You sold it to me

[@Lodreus]

We placed an order and sadly have to wait 6 months!!! Ugh..it's wrong to wait this long but I hope it's worth the wait.

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

Ordered mine in November and arrived mid March a few weeks early 👌😉

[@Lodreus]

@@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737 We're nearly 4 months in. Hopefully be soon!

[@nothanksonh.w.3385]

I like your clothes and shoes, very stylish!

[@studebaker4217]

Good review till you drive with one hand waving about and looking at the camera.

[@sumitnair6822]

Duster is a good SUV and well Proven on great Himalayan heights. It's good at places where road end so good that it eats potholes and bad roads. High time it's having a relaunch in India .

[@foppo100]

15 grand is still a lot of money for many people.The way people like you talk casually about money means you are not short of it.So it will be on a lease for many in fact for the majority of people buying these cars.If they still manage to afford the heating because that is where most of the household cost will go.

[@sebastianbolt7886]

Don't know who this girl is but she's gooood!! , just made me decide once and for all. Great review. 👍🏽

[@michaelwiebe4282]

When the first Dacia came to Germany in 2005, the cockpit etc. Looked like an 1980ies. Car!

[@BokulaA]

Decent car for that money

[@pazt9911]

No one does reviews like Mat Watson

[@wachtoyou902]

În 2022 we can rite the body languge 😘

[@jameshalfpenny4726]

…….praise be……😀

[@kampferpl7759]

No safety rating yet?

[@grahamjohnson4702]

Safety rating will be low because it doesn't have all those fancy safety devices fitted, a 5 star rating system is so outdated for all the requirements these days.

[@kampferpl7759]

@@grahamjohnson4702 That's all good as long as the customers are informed about it.

[@grahamjohnson4702]

@@kampferpl7759 Isn't that the customer's responsibility to ask?????????????

[@kampferpl7759]

@@grahamjohnson4702 Isn't that why we read/watch car reviews????????????????

[@grahamjohnson4702]

@@kampferpl7759 Not everybody reads/watches car reviews

[@VitL-fg3sk]

It's very cheap great review, and you are a very beautiful person and very cute

[@richardspeer5126]

Si va deica ne chile mercado chileno

[@niallntaz]

Some people want a car that gets you from A to B........ Why do we want tech over priced crap. These reviewers need to understand this.

[@rasvanstanciu4368]

Its Cheap,low fuel consuption,off road,low taxes,low prices to maintain,easy to drive...Say hello to the Romanian tehnology,baby!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@darkrider-luckywind7890]

2:54 why she used the moldovian/russian accent into a romanian car? XD

[@malcomjames4763]

That's infotainment looks like proton cars.🤔

[@kshitijtiwari8583]

are you deliberately doing this or you actually sound like Mat Watson.

[@jadams3427]

You're supposed to drive on the left in UK.

[@morgansynth235]

No

[@nishantagade1020]

Those infotainment are ac controls are exactly the same as the kiger launched in indian market 😀

[@bobbod8069]

Fewer Toys