Thursday 4th September

Dacia Duster gets new engines, more kit

Perennial PH favourite receives Bigster power update - it's on sale in November 

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Good car, the Dacia Duster. While more stylish and more capable than the Dacias that came before, it hasn’t lost sight of what made the original so likeable: it’s useful, it’s good value, and it’s no nonsense. Now the third generation DD is getting an update; and if you’re thinking that’s a bit soon, us too - the Duster was only reviewed on PH less than a year ago. 

The changes are modest, at least, so those who’ve already got one shouldn’t feel too put out. The refresh focuses on powertrains, mainly, the Duster borrowing from the new Bigster for a bit of extra power and efficiency. The Hybrid 140 is gone, replaced by the 155hp alternative; where a 1.6-litre engine was providing some of the power, it’s now a 1.8, with 110 combustion horsepower and 50 from a motor (with a high voltage starter generator along for the ride). The latter pair are supplied by a 1.4kWh battery, with power arriving at the wheels via a six-speed (four for the engine, two for the electric bits) clutchless auto. Which all does sound a bit confusing, but does work nicely in the bigger Bigster. It’s more efficient than before as well, which is handy, with seven grams per kilometre less of CO2 (105g/km) and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption to 61.4mpg. 

If the Hybrid 155 sounds overly complex for a relatively simple SUV, there’s a small improvement for the lightly electrified Duster also. What was a mild hybrid 130 is now a mild hybrid… 140. Every little helps and that. It still makes use of a Miller cycle 1.2 three-cyl turbo, with drive through a six-speed manual. Along with a smidge more power, both CO2 and mpg improve a couple of points on before as well, the mild hybrid 140 officially rated at 122g/km and 52.3 respectively. 

The new Duster gets some spec changes as well, with 18-inch black wheels for the Extreme as well as ‘a new interior look with exclusive upholstery and matching trim on the Journey finish’. Both of those models also now have adaptive cruise as standard. Prices and availability for the new Duster are due in November; plenty of time to work a deal out on a current one, then. This Hybrid 140 Extreme has more pounds off its RRP than miles under its wheels…

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• 2024 Dacia Duster | PH Review
  
• Under the skin of the Dakar-spec Dacia Sandrider

[WayOutWest]

Has anyone upgraded to one of these from a JLR product?

Edited by WayOutWest on Thursday 4th September 14:05

[SgHawk]

So I assume the 4x4 is getting the 140 mild hybrid engine?

[ChocolateFrog]

I wonder if Dacia/Valeo have got a grip on headlights failing.

The DRL's and indicators fail with no option other than replacement of the whole headlight.

Mine failed about 5 weeks after the warranty expired, they're around £1200 fitted for an OEM replacement.

[A500leroy]

Not the car it was, I preferred the basic gen 1

[Sulphur Man]

A500leroy said:

Not the car it was, I preferred the basic gen 1

Agreed. With the dependable 1.5dci.

[MattsCar]

ChocolateFrog said:

I wonder if Dacia/Valeo have got a grip on headlights failing.

The DRL's and indicators fail with no option other than replacement of the whole headlight.

Mine failed about 5 weeks after the warranty expired, they're around £1200 fitted for an OEM replacement.

This is why I just drive with the headlights on...my car is known for blowing them and a headlight bulb is a lot cheaper than a whole light unit when the DRL goes.

[nismo48]

Sulphur Man said:

Agreed. With the dependable 1.5dci.

Agreed

[Bakazan]

110bhp from a 1.8 doesn't sound like much for a modern engine, is it running the Atkinson cycle?

[Alex_225]

A500leroy said:

Not the car it was, I preferred the basic gen 1

I agree, the original was a decent car and wonderfully simplistic yet gave you everything you needed but didn't really look like any of the other SUVs on the road. It looks a perfectly nice car but very much like all the others out there.

[Gazza450]

All that complexity on what is meant to be a very basic car. I can’t help wondering how they do it at that price point and how reliable/expensive it will be when it runs out of warranty. Mind you, the same applies to a lot of new cars, especially those from China that are currently flooding the market. Reminds me of the days when Ladas and Moskviches were everywhere and thankfully they have all but disappeared.

[biggbn]

Gazza450 said:

All that complexity on what is meant to be a very basic car. I can’t help wondering how they do it at that price point and how reliable/expensive it will be when it runs out of warranty. Mind you, the same applies to a lot of new cars, especially those from China that are currently flooding the market. Reminds me of the days when Ladas and Moskviches were everywhere and thankfully they have all but disappeared.

I loved the Eastern Bloc stuff, so can't agree on the thankfully bit.

[Mackofthejungle]

Sulphur Man said:

A500leroy said:

Not the car it was, I preferred the basic gen 1

Agreed. With the dependable 1.5dci.

It was a grim drive though. Bouncy, noisy, slow and echoey inside. It was cheap motoring and felt it.

Haven't tried the new one, but presumably it's relatively cheap(ish) motoring that feels a little nicer to be in.