The new Dacia Duster is an affordable mini Hummer

Dacia draws the curtain on the new Duster. The model has become a lot cooler than its predecessor and even looks a bit like the Hummer EV.

Comparing a Dacia Duster to a Hummer is perhaps going a bit far. But if you put the two fronts side by side, you can see some similarities. Both have a hood that rises to the sides, the radiator grille and headlights are optically one and plastic details ensure a rougher appearance.

Hummer-Dacia Duster a bit exaggerated

The Dacia Duster has always been a stubborn car that offered a lot of car for the money. Now the brand has gone one step further in terms of design. The car is a robust modern SUV. The Romanian won’t be as capable off-road as a Hummer. Although the previous Duster was already capable of off-road driving than you probably expected.

The brand promises that the new 4×4 version is better than its predecessor. A 4×4 Terrain Control transmission with five driving modes can be ordered as an option. This allows the power to be automatically distributed between the front and rear axles, but you can also prepare the car for mud/sand, off-road driving and snow at the touch of a button. There is also a mode for driving as economically as possible.

Off-road

The ground clearance has improved slightly. The 4×4 version of the Dacia Duster has 17 millimeters more ground clearance than its predecessor. The approach and departure angles have also been slightly improved. It used to be up to 30° at the front and 36° at the back, now it’s up to 31° at the front and 36° at the back. The Dacia Duster is equipped with protective panels and of course black plastic parts that are less susceptible to scratches and look cool. The Duster gets even cooler with a roof rack that can carry up to 80 kilograms.

Enough about off-road driving, because the average Dutch person drives a Dacia Duster more over speed bumps than through rough terrain.

The interior is more important. Dacia’s interiors are often basic and visibly dated compared to cars from other brands. Logical, because Dacias are usually significantly cheaper.

The new Duster still has a simple design but now comes with a 7-inch digital clock panel and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen. The screens are standard on the Expression and Extreme versions. The Expression is the second equipment level. The entry-level model still has an “old-fashioned” clock panel with a small 3.5-inch screen. You won’t find an infotainment screen in the middle.

Engines Dacia Duster

When it comes to engines, you have three options. An ECO-G-100 with 100 HP and a 50 liter petrol and LPG tank. The price list also includes a TCe 130 with 130 hp. This 1.2 liter three-cylinder petrol engine is supported by a starter/generator connected to a 0.8 kWh battery. The mild hybrid powertrain is also available with 4×4. The Hybrid 140, which you already know from the jogger, is also available.

The prices of the new Dacia Duster are not yet known. Would you like to stay up to date with all the news about the Duster? Then subscribe to the Autovisie newsletter.