Dacia Duster hybrid: 95% successful… but its price rises

Dacia Duster. This SUV is perfectly balanced and ultimately very elegant. Credit: DR

Inside, it’s still just as geometric, functional and coherent. The design, of the same inspiration as the previous generation but more modern, appears successful in its absence of embellishments. A frugality that is certainly austere, but very much in tune with a certain fashionable minimalism. Everything is in its place, practical. Ergonomics appears as an example. Just common sense. We particularly applaud the personalization button which allows – in two taps all the same! – to eradicate beeps, made compulsory by Brussels legislators. However, you should remember to repeat the manipulation each time you start. But, afterward, we are at peace.

Easy to find driving position, readability of the dials reduced to their simplest expression, generous roominess, wide accessibility, spacious and square trunk, storage spaces – unfortunately not covered – make up an interior which does not attract criticism. Provided you accept the omnipresent black, low-end plastics but well assembled. However, be careful with GPS, subject to many bugs! He gets lost, ignores the towns of Senlis and Chantilly (Oise) as well as Charles de Gaulle airport, chooses aberrant routes and is also abominably slow. The manufacturer is aware of this and is working to eliminate these malfunctions.

Dacia Duster. GPS is subject to many bugs! Credit: DR

The hybrid mechanics prove to be very interesting. Remember that it consists of a 1.6 gasoline engine of Nissan origin, developing 94 hp, and two electric motors (of Nissan origin for the first, Denso for the second). The dog gearbox (four speeds plus two electric), without clutch or synchros, is a Renault product. Energy efficiency is real. Our consumption remained stubbornly below the 5 liters per hundred mark. And the range exceeds 900 kilometers. Appreciable.

We were pleased to find this hybrid mechanism, released by the Clio and Captur, also fitted in the Arkana. But the management seems less refined than on these models. Some somewhat brutal reactions occurred, such as untimely downshifts during false flats on the highway. With a consistent roar from the engine. The transmission slipping effect – like a moped, typical of hybrids – when accelerating seems more noticeable than on Renaults. Apart from this phenomenon, the driving is sufficiently smooth.

The system operates smoothly. Even with a nice smoothness in town and on the road. We start electric. The range in zero-emission mode cannot exceed 2 to 3 kilometers. But we often find ourselves, for a few seconds, in electric mode. The car does not struggle, except on hills under load. Performance is nothing to write home about, but the vehicle keeps up with the flow of traffic without issue. It is still regrettable that the paddles are absent and that we cannot downshift manually. Only mode B allows engine braking when going downhill. This one is doing well.

Dacia Duster. The range in zero-emission mode cannot exceed 2 to 3 kilometers. Credit: DR

Driving this Duster always stands out a little from the more elaborate models. With steering that’s a tad too light, and therefore vague. But not serious. Road handling is no less high level. If the series of turns are not its strong suit, given its high ground clearance, this Duster never deviates from its trajectory and remains rather insensitive to defects in the road surface as well as to the vagaries of the weather in this rainy spring. A reassuring course of action therefore, if not amusing. This square, high-legged vehicle is also not too sensitive to side winds. And the high ground clearance allows you to tackle paths.

On the other hand, let us point out dangerous emergency braking in extreme cases, because it causes the car to stall as soon as it thinks it detects danger. In slow-moving highway traffic, he almost caused an accident with the truck behind. His driver heaped insults on us, wondering why we had stopped the vehicle so suddenly. In addition, the system takes a few seconds to authorize the restart. Which earned us additional horn blasts. In short, this assistance must be more finely tuned. Otherwise, beware of disappointments!

Long travel suspensions for bad roads, tires with enough air in them, generate very acceptable comfort. We are more bothered by a few persistent squeaks and squeals on degraded asphalt than by the jitters. Well-designed seats complete a favorable picture, which will avoid fatigue on long journeys.

Dacia Duster. Our consumption remained below the 5 liters per hundred mark. Credit: DR

This Dacia Duster fulfills its mission. This is an excellent vehicle, without major defects, homogeneous and versatile! Like… a Duster II, but better. Renault’s know-how in designing economical vehicles that don’t compromise on anything is remarkable. Well done. We also appreciate the relaxing ease of use. A model that rivals should follow.

Unfortunately, prices have seriously increased in recent years. The increase exceeds 60% (in basic version) compared to 2019. The price starts today at 19,690 euros (LPG version, 100 horsepower). The second finishing level (Expression) opens up the range of engines. It is then 21,600 euros (LPG), 23,400 (TCe 130 petrol), 25,700 (4×4 version), 26,600 (4×2 hybrid). The Extreme finish is more adventurous in its style. But it costs more: 28,100 euros in hybrid. This was our test version. For the GPS, you have to pay 600 euros more. A little petty.

If the bill increases, it remains more modest than for most competitors of the same size. A hybrid Suzuki Vitara, less expensive, is comparable in silhouette to the Duster, but it appears in significantly reduced dimensions. The restyled Renault Captur E-Tech also remains less spacious. But it is now displayed at the same price. The new Toyota C-HR, comparable in its size to the Duster, costs 10,000 euros more. In short, the Duster remains financially attractive, but much less than the previous one. Attention ! Dacia must monitor its price inflation.

Dacia Duster. If the bill increases, it remains more modest than for most competitors of the same size. Credit: DR

Trial version price : Dacia Duster Extreme Hybrid – 28,100 euros

Engine power : 140 hp (petrol, hybrid)

Dimensions : 4.34 m (long) x 1.81 (wide) x 1.66 (high)

Qualities : Successful and timeless bodywork, simple and practical ergonomics, functionality, habitability for the size, accessibility, driving position, sober and generally fluid hybrid mechanics, wide autonomy, good handling, acceptable comfort

Defaults : Steering a little vague, some unpleasant mechanical reactions, average performance, low-end plastics, black interior, problematic GPS, injudicious rear door handles, dangerous emergency braking, squeaks

Competitors : Suzuki Vitara Dualjet Hybrid Privilège – 24,330 euros; Renault Captur E-Tech 140 Evolution – 28,900 euros; Toyota C-HR Collection – 38,900 (with manufacturer discount)