The Dacia Duster is one of the most popular and affordable SUVs in Europe, offering a spacious and practical interior, a rugged and robust exterior, and a range of efficient and reliable engines. Since its launch in 2010, the Duster has sold over 2 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling model of the Romanian brand. Now, the Duster is ready for a major overhaul, as the third generation is expected to debut in late 2023 and go on sale in 2024. What can we expect from the new Dacia Duster? How will it differ from the current model? And how will it compete with the rising tide of electric and hybrid rivals? Let’s find out.
A new platform and a new design
The most significant change for the 2024 Dacia Duster will be the switch from the old B0 platform to the new CMF-B architecture, which is shared with its crossover cousins, the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. This will allow the Duster to grow in size, with a length of around 4.4 meters, and to accommodate more advanced technologies, such as hybrid powertrains, driver assistance systems, and connectivity features.
The new platform will also enable a more modern and distinctive design inspired by the well-received Bigster concept that was unveiled in 2021. The new Duster will feature a more boxy and angular shape, with a flatter front end and longer overhangs. The front grille will be wider and slatted, with LED headlights and DRLs. The side profile will be more muscular, with prominent wheel arches and roof rails. The rear end will be more squared-off, with LED taillights and a skid plate. The new Duster will also offer a range of new colors and wheel designs, as well as a cladding package that will enhance its off-road character.
A more spacious and comfortable interior
The new Dacia Duster will also benefit from a more spacious and comfortable interior, thanks to the increased dimensions and the improved packaging of the CMF-B platform. The cabin will accommodate five passengers and their luggage, with a boot capacity of around 500 liters. The rear seats will be foldable and split in a 60/40 ratio, allowing for more flexibility and versatility.
The interior design will be more refined and ergonomic, with a new dashboard, a new steering wheel, and a new center console. The materials and finishes will be of higher quality, with more soft-touch surfaces and recycled fabrics. The new Duster will also offer more storage spaces and cup holders, as well as more USB ports and 12V sockets.
The new Duster will also be more connected and equipped with a new infotainment system featuring a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The new Duster will also offer a range of driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking.
A more efficient and diverse engine lineup
The new Dacia Duster will also offer a more efficient and diverse engine lineup, thanks to the electrification possibilities of the CMF-B platform. The new Duster will be available with three different types of engines, all with the ECO label:
- A 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 100 hp and 160 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic. This engine will also be able to run on LPG, offering lower emissions and running costs.
- A 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 130 hp and 240 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. This engine will also feature a 48V mild-hybrid system, providing an extra power boost and reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
- A 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 140 hp and 260 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine will be part of a full-hybrid system, including a 1.2 kWh battery and a 35 kW electric motor. This system will allow the Duster to drive in pure electric mode for up to 50 km and achieve a combined fuel consumption of 4.5 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 102 g/km.
The new Duster will also retain its four-wheel-drive capability, which will be available as an option on some models. The new Duster will feature a new 4WD system, which will be more intelligent and efficient and will allow the driver to choose between three modes: 2WD, 4WD Auto, and 4WD Lock. The new Duster will also have a crawler first gear and a hill descent control system, enhancing its off-road performance.
A more competitive and attractive price
The new Dacia Duster will also maintain its competitive and attractive price, which is one of its main selling points. The new Duster will start from around $14,000 for the base Access model, which will offer essential features, such as air conditioning, electric windows, and a radio. The new Duster will also offer three other trim levels: Essential, Comfort, and Prestige, which will add more equipment and options, such as alloy wheels, fog lights, roof bars, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a touchscreen, and a leather steering wheel. The new Duster will also offer some optional packages, such as the Adventure Pack, which will include a skid plate, a spare wheel, and a tow bar, and the Tech Pack, which will include a digital instrument cluster, a wireless charger, and a head-up display.
The new Dacia Duster will also be cheaper than most of its rivals, which will include models such as the Skoda Yeti, the Suzuki Vitara, the Nissan Qashqai, the Ford Kuga, the Mini Countryman, the Suzuki Jimny, the Nissan Juke, and the Renault Captur. The following table compares the prices and specifications of some of these models:
| Model | Price | Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission | Fuel consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dacia Duster Hybrid 140 | $18,000 | 1.6L petrol + electric | 140 hp | 260 Nm | 6-speed automatic | 4.5 L/100 km |
| Skoda Yeti 1.5 TSI DSG | $22,000 | 1.5L turbo petrol | 150 hp | 250 Nm | 7-speed dual-clutch | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid | $20,000 | 1.4L turbo petrol + electric | 129 hp | 235 Nm | 6-speed manual | 5.5 L/100 km |
| Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T 140 | $24,000 | 1.3L turbo petrol | 140 hp | 240 Nm | 6-speed manual | 5.3 L/100 km |
| Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 | $26,000 | 1.5L turbo petrol | 150 hp | 240 Nm | 6-speed manual | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Mini Countryman Cooper S | $28,000 | 2.0L turbo petrol | 192 hp | 280 Nm | 7-speed dual-clutch | 6.3 L/100 km |
| Suzuki Jimny 1.5 AllGrip | $16,000 | 1.5L petrol | 102 hp | 130 Nm | 5-speed manual | 6.8 L/100 km |
| Nissan Juke 1.0 DIG-T 117 | $20,000 | 1.0L turbo petrol | 117 hp | 200 Nm | 6-speed manual | 5.1 L/100 km |
| Renault Captur 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid | $30,000 | 1.6L petrol + electric | 160 hp | 144 Nm | Automatic | 1.5 L/100 km |
As we can see, the new Dacia Duster offers a very competitive price, especially for the hybrid version, which is cheaper and more efficient than most of its rivals. The new Duster also offers a good balance of power and torque and a four-wheel-drive option, which is rare in this segment.
Conclusion
The 2024 Dacia Duster is a very promising model, which will offer more Duster and still Duster. The new Duster will be more modern, spacious, comfortable, efficient, and capable while maintaining its affordable and attractive price. The new Duster will also be more diverse, with a range of engines and trim levels to suit different needs and preferences. The new Duster will be a strong contender in the crowded and competitive SUV market and appeal to loyal and new customers. The new Duster will be a smart choice for everyone.
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