All-wheel drive, full equipment and a powerful petrol engine with a manual transmission, all for 555 thousand crowns. Twelve years ago, two first-generation Dusters in the basic version could be bought for such money. But this is not a fair comparison, today’s Romanian SUV is in many ways a different coffee.
The Duster really isn’t a car that tries to overtake its owner in a special way. Even when he takes the door handle, he is surprised by the long run and the thin, non-fitting shape. After all, the gear lever of the six-speed transmission does not have the ideal proportions, for its power even the Tatra 613 would not be ashamed of a good memory.
Especially the latest indications suggest that Duster will not be a completely suitable gift for a daughter for a graduation certificate. It is far more suitable for relaxed guys with an honestly large palm, who do not smirk significantly when the host gives them a dessert with a teaspoon during a visit. At the same time, it does not hurt if the person in question has submissive inclinations at the same time, because it is a real pleasure to listen to the sharply austere commands from the navigation.
At the same time, Duster is a pioneer of unpretentious solutions. Without blinking, it now offers a rare full-fledged spare wheel to be lined with polystyrene, which is used in the transport of white goods.
On the opposite side of the car, the gas-liquid bonnet struts will fascinate, on which today they also save the former standard of the lower-middle-class Volkswagen Golf. At the same time, however, we would be looking in vain for the usual engine cover: the martens thus lose their resting place and, when crawling, the bowels of the unit must stumble uncomfortably over the injector tubes.
Lightning speed connection
The second generation of the Duster has been on the market for the fourth year in a row, and it was modernized last autumn. The basic equipment now has LED dipped headlights and effective tubes for daytime running lights, the new graphics in the shape of a horizontal ypsilon have been transferred to the tail lights.
The most noticeable change inside is the new multimedia system. The touch screen is still placed relatively low, but thanks to the frame protruding from the dashboard, it looks modern. The screen diameter has increased to eight inches and the new software is unexpectedly fast. For example, the connection to the telephone is available almost immediately after starting the car.
Mobile mirroring with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto now works wirelessly, which is unexpected for a car with a budget reputation. Among the functions we can find the possibility of creating a local Wi-Fi network.
The carmaker has improved the reversing camera with a new directional guidance, and those who pay 7,000 crowns extra will receive a total of four cameras. In such numbers, they can monitor the space around the car from all sides.
And speaking of changes, the location of the socket for charging the mobile phone also went through that. Once awkwardly part of the multimedia frame, it has now moved down to the center console. It’s still a good old USB socket, the transition to USB-C has not yet been completed with the tested Duster. Two USB ports are also waiting for the rear passengers.
For the comfort of the driver, however, the largest effect of all changes is the large center backrest with storage space, which is also adjustable in the longitudinal direction. She replaced her much slimmer predecessor, who grew up on the side of the seat in a not-quite-ideal place. If the driver really wanted to lean on her, he had to twist a little.
If you want an ATV, you get petrol with a manual
The 4 × 4 drive in combination with the diesel engine recently disappeared from the Duster price list. The only way to get to the ATV is to choose a thirteen-liter petrol engine with manual transmission. It looks like a voucher for a tight lazy drive with high consumption, but the Renault four-cylinder, which is also widely used by Mercedes in its smaller models, was extremely successful. It reacts to the addition of gas without delay, dials nicely and drives more economically than expected. After a week’s test, the value on the on-board computer was 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers.
It could be a little better not to be a noticeably short-speed transmission. The number one at the Duster has traditionally fulfilled the function of a missing reduction drive – starting at traffic lights is therefore a bit hectic and the driver can take a seat if he does not immediately choose two.
Otherwise, riding with a Duster is more for the cool. With softer suspension, the car does not protect the tilt in corners, after all, the power-up steering wheel does not promise any special driving experience. However, certain compromises on flat asphalt will richly return when driving off-road. On the dirt road, Duster does not shake the soul from the crew and, with a clear height of 21 centimeters, he can also handle 21-degree raids. Which, moreover, is more than most competitors in the compact SUV class can offer.
In most situations, the Duster drives with powered front wheels. The rear-wheel drive connects the electromagnetic axle clutch automatically if the front starts to slip. Alternatively, the driver can do so voluntarily with the rotary knob on the center tunnel.
Dacia Duster 150 TCe 4×4
Engine: petrol four-cylinder, 1332 cm3
Power: 110 kW / 150 hp at 5250-6000 rpm
Torque: 250 Nm at 1700-3250 rpm
Top speed: 198 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km / h: 10.4 s
Fuel consumption combined: 6.8 / 100 km (WLTP)
Trunk volume: 467/1444 l
Load capacity (standby / useful): 1324/600 kg
Price: from 555,500 CZK
–
If you are not sure whether you really need a 4 × 4 drive for your life, then the decision to purchase it can be influenced by the multi-element rear axle, which is available at Duster and only in this version. At the expense of the trunk, it takes up a little more space than a simple torsion bar, but the reward is a calmer and more stable ride.
Underlined and summed up: even after twelve years of production, the Dacia Duster remains a bit rustic, but at the same time charismatic car. It is no longer completely cheap, but for a higher price it can offer even more. If the same were true of all cars, the world would be a little happier.
–
