Cheap city SUV – Dacia Duster

Following the success of the low-cost Logan and Sandero models, the Romanian brand continues to conquer the car market and goes on the counteroffensive in the small SUV segment. In April 2010, the Dacia Duster off-road model debuted on the Polish market. The new car has already caused some bewilderment, especially luring buyers with a low purchase price. Compared to the competition, the Duster is definitely a crazy price and original look, but is that it?

Unusual style

Duster, developed by Renault Design Central Europe, is based on the Dacia Logan platform. This crossover does not bring you to your knees, but it is original and stylized as a thoroughbred roadster. It has large wheel arches and bumpers, a rather massive front end and high ground clearance. The grille headlamps are elegantly integrated into the bumper and positioned between the fenders. The rear lights are mounted vertically and, like the front lights, are slightly recessed into the bumper. Quite powerful roof rails are installed on the roof. The proportions are quite balanced, so the car can be liked. The SUV is definitely unique and eye-catching - most people look at it with curiosity and follow it.

In terms of external dimensions, the Duster does not differ from small cars. Length 431,5 cm, width 182,2 cm, height 162,5 cm. The car has a large luggage compartment with a volume of 475 liters (2WD version) or 408 liters in the tested 4WD version. As it turned out, competitors offer similar parameters: Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga. Dacia Duster looks best in dark body colors, and if someone really wants a bright color, then I recommend silver.

no fireworks

Opening the door and looking inside, the spell dissipates - you can feel the Romanian manufacturer, the participation of the French concern, and you can smell the twins from your friend Nissan. The interior is simple and made of cheap but solid materials. The installation of hard finishing elements is impeccable - nothing creaks or creaks here. Of course, these are not top materials, but in the end we are dealing with a cheap car. This can be seen in the example, for example, pseudo-leather on the steering wheel.

In the richest Laureate version, the center console and door elements are finished in brown lacquer. This should raise the prestige of the car? It didn't impress me. Enough space for front and rear passengers. They certainly cannot complain about excess space - it is just right. The luggage compartment in the 4×4 version is smaller than in the 4×2, but the luggage compartment increases to 1570 liters with the rear seats folded down. Unfortunately, there is no flat surface here.

The driver's landing, despite the lack of longitudinal adjustment of the steering wheel, is satisfactory. The seats provide sufficient comfort and lateral support. The entire dashboard and switches are within reach of the driver and are borrowed from other Dacia, Renault and even Nissan models. The dashboard has a large practical lockable compartment, cup holders and pockets on the front doors. In terms of ergonomics, there’s a lot to be desired – placing the electric mirror controls under the handbrake lever, or putting the front windows openers on a console and the rear windows at the end of the center tunnel is a bit confusing and takes some getting used to. used to. Despite everything, the first impression is really positive.

Almost like a roadster

Duster can only be front-wheel drive or two-axle - but both options cost less than the competition. Drive to both axles requires the choice of a more expensive version (Ambiance or Laureate) and one of two more powerful engines. Under the hood of the tested Dacia Duster, a Renault engine was running - a 1.6 petrol engine with a power of 105 hp. This engine is coupled to a 6 speed gearbox to drive all four wheels. However, the power of 105 hp. for such a machine — it's too small. The Duster clearly lacks power in this version of the 4×4 engine. In the city, the car is normal, but on the highway, overtaking becomes extreme. In addition, when driving over 120 km / h, the noise reaching the cabin becomes unbearable. The gasoline engine is obviously too noisy - the car is not quiet enough. The car in the city has a good appetite for fuel and consumes about 12 liters per hundred, and on the highway it goes below 7 l / 100 km. Unfortunately, the steering is not very precise, which is felt on asphalt roads and at high speeds. The Dacia Duster in the tested 4×4 version reaches 12,8 km/h in 160 seconds and accelerates to a maximum of 36 km/h. The shift lever works smoothly, but the first gear is very short. Due to the small approach angles - 23° slope and 20° ramp - and a ground clearance of more than 2 cm, the car allows you to go on light off-road. In mud, snow and swampy terrain, the four-legged drive does a good job of keeping the Romanian SUV off the road. Even on large bumps, overcome at high speed, the car rides well and reduces bumps. The suspension is one of the most durable and high-quality components of the Duster. The power train was borrowed from the Nissan Qashqai. The driver chooses the operating mode of the drive system - Auto (automatic rear-wheel drive), Lock (permanent four-wheel drive) or WD (front-wheel drive). Instead of a gearbox, a short gear ratio of the first gear is used, so the machine “creeps” at low speed across the field. On steep climbs, this may not be enough, but the Dacia is not a typical off-roader, but an urban off-road vehicle.

As for equipment, it is better to choose the more expensive version of Ambiance, which has everything you need, and for an additional PLN 3 it can be equipped with air conditioning. Given the three-year warranty, off-road capabilities and sheer fun of the Dacia SUV, you can expect it to be quite successful in the market. The machine really works!

Dacia Duster is certainly not trying to claim the title of a high-end car. Surprises with possibilities and low price. This is an SUV that is not afraid of dirt and does well in the urban jungle. If someone is looking for an inexpensive car with high ground clearance, the Duster is the best deal. Its advantage is a chassis that can cope with poor quality roads and light off-road, as well as a fairly comfortable interior. The simple design of the car should not cause high operating costs. The cheapest version (4×2) currently costs PLN 39, the basic version with 900×4 drive costs PLN 4.

advantages:

- running gear

– low purchase price

- original design

Disadvantages:

- dim the interior

– ergonomics

- low engine power