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Dacia Duster

The independent definitive Dacia Duster video review
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    PRICE BUSTER (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_daciaduster_2018

    By Jonathan Crouch

    The second generation Dacia Duster continues to offer a trendy compact 5-door SUV Crossover for supermini money. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

    Ten Second Reviewword count: 107

    A new car for the price of a second hand one is always a tempting prospect and when it's as smartly styled and capable as Dacia's Duster, the concept becomes particularly appealing. Undercutting rival models in the small SUV segment by an enormous amount, this Romanian budget brand uses proven Renault engineering to create a very likeable product that could prove ideal as back-up family transport. This improved version of the second generation version gets more technology and a bit of extra polish; otherwise, the basic recipe's pretty much unchanged. Dig down the back of the sofa for some money and join the queue to try one.

    Backgroundword count: 141

    The original 'HS'-series Duster SUV was the car that really built the Dacia brand. Launched in 2010, it was far better than any model in this class had a right to be for less than £10,000, but it did have a few rough edges - enough to keep some buyers in the compact SUV segment loyal to more established brands. You always felt that if this Renault-owner manufacturer could add a bit of extra quality, technology and polish to this value-orientated recipe, then it would be well set. Well, to some extent that happened when this second generation 'HM'-series Duster model was introduced in 2017, a car further embellished six years on with the mid-term update we look at here. There's a smarter look and an upgraded cabin. And it's all been put together with a bit more love. Sounds promising.

    Driving Experienceword count: 280

    Cut back on cost and you also cut back on expectations. Admit it - you didn't think the Duster was going to be any good at all to drive. It may well come as quite a surprise then, to learn that the market consensus in Europe, where this car has been a huge sales success, is that this Dacia has the sort of ride/handling compromise that would shame rivals many thousands of pounds more expensive. Engine-wise, first up is the 0.9-litre TCe 90 engine, a 90hp unit familiar from other compact Renault and Dacia models. It's a decent choice and can also be had in 'TCe 100 Bi-Fuel' LPG form. If you need something a bit gutsier under the bonnet and want petrol power, there's also a more modern 1.3-litre TCe turbo petrol unit, available with either 130 or 150hp, the latter only available with EDC auto transmission. All other engines in the range have to be had with a manual gearbox. If you need more pulling power and extra economy, you'll be directed towards the 1.5-litre Blue dCi 115hp diesel, which is the only engine in the range that can be mated to 4WD - a rare thing to find on an affordable small SUV. The 4x4 set-up is Renault's usual Nissan-engineered three-mode system, selectable via a rotary controller in front of the gear stick. Most of the time you'll be in '2WD', but in wet or icy conditions, there's the peace of mind of being able to switch seamlessly to 'Auto' so that extra traction will automatically cut in when necessary. For mud-plugging meanwhile, you'll want to keep all wheels turning permanently by switching to the 'Lock' setting.

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    Category: Crossover or SUV 4x4s

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