Road test: Dacia Duster automatic
The cheapest family crossover in Israel is upgraded with a minor facelift, and an improved propulsion system.
The duster remains spacious and attractive but unfortunately, still without modern safety systems.
Are we convinced?
Rami Gilboa
31/12/2021
Friday, 31 December 2021, 08:54 Updated: 09:07
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I really like Dacia Duster's No Bullshit approach (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Since coming to us in 2015, Duster has acquired a large audience of enthusiastic supporters;
Mainly in the attractive 4X4 version but also in the 2X4 version that we are looking at today, with a prestige finish level that costs NIS 123,000.
The 'Loriat' model gives up a few treats and costs only 115,000 shekels, it is already really 'only'.
In the price range of 115-123 thousand shekels, you will not find any family automatic crossover today, these are prices of smaller and more compact super mini.
Please note that a 130-horsepower manual duster will cost you only NIS 100,000.
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To the full article
The test car has front-wheel drive, but it is not afraid to get off the asphalt (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
There is no doubt that in the external size / interior space test for shekels, the Duster is the best deal in town.
Over the years it has demonstrated a completely satisfactory level of reliability, and a handsome demand in the used market.
Apparently there is a winning formula here but there is also a problem - Dacia does not offer hybrid / electric technology and even worse, it does not have active safety systems such as autonomous braking, or track keeping.
Is this a negligible figure, or a Deal breaker?
With a square butt and a large trunk, the duster is very functional.
In the Prestige version, he gets endearing finishes and pieces of paint (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Conservative appearance
I have always loved the functional design of the Duster;
He does not try to be a sports car, nor does he disguise himself as a SUV.
Its appearance is attractive, it transmits simplicity that matches its price and positioning.
The facelift is content with refreshing the lighting and front grille units, new rims, painting mirrors and bumper parts, and other trifles.
The Prestige test version locks 215 / 60R17 tires although I always prefer higher tires, like the 215 / 65R16 of the basic Lorat version.
The cabin is spacious and conservative.
The materials are basic, but the production quality is good (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
The cabin was and remains very spacious, useful, and simple looking.
The upholstery and upholstery materials are basic, but they are well assembled and look durable.
In the center of the dashboard is an 8-inch multimedia screen surrounded by, thank God, physical switches that make it easier to operate the vehicle systems.
It has smartphone connectivity and pairing, five charging sockets, peripheral cameras (not impressive in quality), reasonable sound system.
An elbow rest with a small storage compartment was added.
The glove drawer is not large but a very useful shelf opens above it.
The sitting position is high and dominant, the view out is excellent.
The seats are not particularly ergonomic, but comfortable (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Human engineering is generally good, despite traditional oddities like the audio control lever, the mirror adjustment switch, the smart key and a few other nonsense that are not really harmful.
The general feeling is of high usability and adequate space, a good and relatively high seating position, although the seats are not very ergonomic.
The rear seats are sufficient for two full-size adults, though the flat seat is not inviting for long journeys.
The trunk is square and easy to load, with 445 liters and another spare wheel lying under the floor.
The Duster offers excellent and useful interior space, certainly in relation to its modest price.
On the other hand, the atmosphere in the cabin is simple and not luxurious, it does not bother me at the low price level.
Good space in the back, for two adults.
Two USB sockets (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Integrate automatically
Until about two years ago, the Duster was also sold with a combination of a diesel engine and an automatic transmission, which was a good success, despite a rather sleepy acceleration.
The marketing of the automatic gearbox has been stopped, and has only just been renewed - mated to a more powerful and refined 1.3-liter petrol engine, and not bad performance data - 9.7 seconds from zero to 100, up to 199 km / h. Inserts noise into the cabin.
The 6-speed dual-clutch transmission performs well although its responses are not fast, and at times it pulls gears higher than I would like.
The design is a bit outdated, but useful.
There is an open shelf above the glove drawer, physical switches for intuitive operation of most systems (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
The Duster comes with a calibrated suspension system for ride comfort - the suspensions are soft, though not swaying, it is a vehicle that obediently swallows the damage of Israeli asphalt.
With the Luriat's 16-inch tires, it will be even more comfortable.
We took him on a long journey for the North Trail and although it's a 2X4 version, it turned out to be an excellent trail catcher - with a ventral spacing of 21 inches, good body angles and a long suspension move, it will go far beyond other crossovers.
The soft suspensions do not encourage real tire sharpening, but the Duster handles well on mountain roads.
The steering is too light for sporty pretensions, but who is looking for it?
Is good enough for fast flowing driving, no need to strive for more.
In urban driving one can appreciate the ride comfort, and light steering.
The 150 hp engine delivers the goods. A bit noisy under pressure, but determined and economical (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
At the gas station
Dacia has not yet entered the electrified era, and it offers the Duster with two petrol engines (130 and 150 hp), or with 115 hp diesel.
With the test car we went on long-distance driving 15-16 kilometers per liter, that's a good figure - the car is nimble and light, not too drunk.
Diesel will be more economical.
In Europe, the Duster is also sold in a 1.0-liter, 100-hp gasoline version, combined with gas propulsion; this economical version gives the Romanian crossover a range of 1,200 kilometers, delusional. It could have cost us about NIS 85,000-90,000, the price of a shell that matches the image of the Duster's low cost.
Decorative ventral shield, modern LED lighting, it looks just fine (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
How much is safety worth to you?
Dacia Duster is armed with 6 airbags and a locally installed warning system, Prestige also has a warning for vehicles entering "dead space".
The Duster received only three stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, and you will not find in it the abundance of safety systems that adorn every modern car today.
Safety systems are like a shrewd insurance agent's policy;
You pay for them without a twinkle in your eye, hoping not to get help from them, but feeling more confident in the vehicle equipped with them.
Dacia Duster costs 20-25 thousand shekels less than competitors like Renault Capture, Suzuki Vitra or even Nissan Qashqai;
Does its low price justify the conspicuous inferiority in safety issues?
Is it worth selling a car that neglects this important item in 2022?
LED lighting front and rear (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
For those who dream of a cheap and economical touring car, there is no alternative to the 4X4 Duster (133,000 in the petrol version, 134,000 in the diesel version).
Subaru XV is more expensive and less good in the field, the Jimny is not a family car.
So for 4x4 enthusiasts but 2x4 customers have other alternatives, more expensive but armed with the best of safety, refined and luxurious.
For someone whose safety section is critical in the eyes of having difficulty recommending the test vehicle, he will have to look for a solution in the super-mini world, in the used market or increase the budget.
But anyone looking for a spacious crossover and willing to accept the lack of safety systems, may find their happiness aboard the Romanian crossover;
This is a spacious and very comfortable family car, at a very attractive price.
Thanks to Dudi Moskowitz, image photographer for helping with the image processing
On the technical side: Dacia Duster Prestige, 1.3 liter automatic
Engine, propulsion:
supercharged petrol 1,332 cc, front
power / rpm (hp):
150 / 6,000
torque / rpm (kg):
25.5 / 1,700
Transmission:
6 gears, dual clutch (robotic )
acceleration 0-100 (seconds):
9.7 seconds,
maximum speed (mph):
199
fuel consumption long distance test (Km"l):
15.5
length (cm):
434.1
width (cm):
205.2 (including mirrors )
Height (cm):
169.3
wheelbase (inches):
267.3
volume luggage compartment (liters):
445/1623
Ground clearance (cm):
21.0
angle of approach / abandonment (degrees):
30/34
tires:
215 / 60R17 Net
weight (kg):
1,338
Price:
123 thousand shekels
vehicle
Vehicle tests
Tags
Dacia
Dacia Duster
Crash Motors