Dacia Duster, we tested the Hybrid 140: good citizen and great road runner

The third best-selling model in Italy in the private sales channel alone, the Dacia Duster has grabbed the same supremacy among B-suvs in the same sector. This is an environment dense with competitors and hard-fought, and on our side it has to sell, even with a declining market. And although it too has to deal with this difficult overall situation, the Duster has gone against the tide as in the first six months of this year it collected over 18,000 preferences, which, at this point, suggests that the goal of exceeding 25,000 by 2024 is quite realistic.

Among the main reasons for the Duster 3.0's success are its design, substance and technology upgrade over the previous generation, resulting in an SUV seen in a very different way from its predecessors, which were successful because they were considered the low-costs of the category. In short, many did not even imagine that under the guise they had technologies shared with popular models of the Renault-Nissan alliance. For example, the architecture and engines as well as all-wheel drive. The third series of the Duster is the result of the same strategy but enriched with new elements. Firstly, the technologies are all of the latest generation like those of current Renault and Nissan. Then, in keeping with the times and trends, the range is all about low environmental impact, driver assistance systems and connectivity in step with the times. It also offers solutions that increase functionality and attention to sustainability, thanks to the extensive use of green materials. In short, always in keeping with the times, the Duster eliminates the possible embarrassment of having been chosen purely for a question of price, although this factor still remains fair in relation to its all up-to-date content.

The Duster range goes on sale at prices ranging from 20,000 euro for the LPG bifuel with 100 horsepower in the Essential trim to the 28,000 euro asked for the Tce 130 mild-hybrid 48V 4x4 with 130 horsepower in the Extreme trim, also offered for the bifuel and the full-hybrid 140 with 140 horsepower that can also be chosen in the Journey. The latter is also available along with the Expression for LPG and the mild-hybrid Tce 130 with 130 front-wheel drive horsepower. The only offering with an automatic transmission is the full-hybrid, while all others have a six-speed manual. The all-wheel drive version uses a system that combines five driving modes to optimise engine performance and traction both on asphalt and off-road.

The Duster at first glance looks bigger than it actually is. In reality, it is 4.34 metres long, 1.81 metres wide, 1.66 metres high and has a wheelbase of 2.66 metres. The line is based on stylistic canons that also inspired the line of the larger Bigster, which draw taut, harmoniously connected lines that give the Duster an authoritative look, a tall, squared-off front end, a powerdome that surmounts the bonnet and muscular rear wings that, all together, give the look the right SUV-style connotations.

The interior is spacious thanks to the correct interweaving of exterior and interior design and the balance of proportions brought about by the Cmf-B floorpan. The ambience is made pleasant by colour combinations that enhance the appearance of the plastic upholstery, which is actually quite rigid, and functional. A factor rewarded by the ergonomics that puts the controls within easy reach and easy on the eyes, by the robust and washable upholstery of some versions and by the YouClip attachments scattered throughout the environment, to which supports for smartphones and tablets, wireless charging plates for versions that do not have them as standard and much more can be attached with suitable interfaces. Scattered in the environment are many Usb-C sockets, a configurable 7-inch cluster starting with the Expression trim, various levels of connectivity and infotainment with a central display that according to the system goes up to 10.1 inches. The most sophisticated adds wireless connectivity for Apple Carplay and Android Auto and connected navigation, which allows remote car updates. The boot capacity in the case of the front-wheel drive versions ranges from 590 to 1,696 litres and from 520 to 1,635 litres in that of the 4x4.