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NEW 2024 Dacia Duster: FULL REVIEW!

The 2024 Dacia Duster is a highly anticipated compact SUV that offers a blend of style, performance, and affordability. With its sleek design, advanced features, and impressive capabilities, the Duster is set to make a significant impact in the automotive market.

Bold and Assertive: The Redesigned All-New Dacia Duster

Dacia has reimagined the design of the Duster, retaining its iconic appeal while infusing it with a fresh, distinctive look. The solid and robust SUV character that defined previous generations has been further elevated with Dacia’s new design language.

David Durand, Dacia’s Design Director, emphasized the importance of proportion in shaping the All-New Duster’s style. “By focusing on achieving strong, balanced proportions from the outset, we’ve created a vehicle that exudes confidence without the need for unnecessary embellishments,” he explained.

Remaining true to Dacia’s philosophy of delivering essential features, the design of the All-New Duster reflects simplicity and functionality, mirroring the brand’s commitment to practicality.

The design process began with a meticulous examination of key elements such as the cabin, bonnet, and wings. These components were then seamlessly integrated to form a cohesive and modern aesthetic characterized by clean lines and a sense of self-assuredness. The result is a vehicle that commands attention with its bold and assertive stance, embodying a contemporary and well-built style.

Interior Comfort

Step inside the 2024 Dacia Duster, and you’ll find a spacious and comfortable cabin that is designed with both driver and passengers in mind. The high-quality materials, ergonomic seats, and ample legroom ensure a pleasant and enjoyable driving experience. The SUV also offers a range of advanced technologies, including a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, and a premium sound system.

The All-New Duster offers with a multitude of features to make life easier, since comfort begins with a completely stress-free driver. The Expression trim includes an electric parking brake, while the Extreme and Journey trims come standard with door mirrors with electric adjusting and folding mechanisms. The All-New Duster may also be equipped with a heated steering wheel and a de-icing system in the windscreen, making it more prepared than ever to face the hardest circumstances.

Dacia engineers devised YouClip, a simple and practical device for securing multiple accessories in specified places of the passenger cabin. The All-New Duster has three (in the Essential trim) or five YouClip grips installed throughout the vehicle.

Performance and Efficiency

The latest addition to the Dacia lineup, the Duster Hybrid 140, now offers a powerful hybrid powertrain previously introduced with the Jogger in early 2023. Engineered with proven Renault Group technologies, this hybrid system features a 4-cylinder, 1.6-liter, 94 hp petrol engine, complemented by two electric motors – a 49 hp powerplant and a high-voltage starter generator. Paired with an electric automatic gearbox boasting 4 engine ratios and 2 motor ratios, this innovative setup operates without a clutch.

The Duster Hybrid 140 excels in urban environments, thanks to its regenerative braking system and a 1.2 kWh (230 V) battery with high energy recovery capacity. In fact, it can drive in all-electric mode for up to 80% of the time in cities, resulting in a notable reduction in fuel consumption by 20% (mixed cycle) to 40% (urban cycle). Notably, the engine always initiates with electric power, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions.

For the first time, Dacia introduces the TCe 130 powertrain, marking an initial step towards electrification. This setup combines a new-generation 3-cylinder, 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine utilizing the Miller cycle for optimized efficiency, alongside a 48 V mild hybrid motor. The mild hybrid system supports the internal combustion engine during startup and acceleration, resulting in a 10% reduction in average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to equivalent petrol engines. With improved acceleration capabilities compared to the existing TCe 130 model, the TCe 130 powertrain ensures a more responsive and smoother driving experience. Equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox, it is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 versions.

As the undisputed leader in LPG technology in Europe, Dacia presents the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel variant of the All-New Duster, featuring a dual-fuel option (petrol and LPG) across its internal combustion models. This proven technology offers enhanced efficiency and reliability. When running on LPG, the Duster TCe 100 Bi-Fuel emits 10% less CO2 on average compared to petrol engines. With two tanks holding a total of 100 liters – 50 liters each for petrol and LPG (the latter located under the boot floor, preserving cargo capacity) – it boasts an impressive range of up to 1,300 km (WLTP). Seamlessly switch between fuels with a dashboard-integrated button for a smooth and seamless transition.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

Enhancing safety and convenience, the All-New Dacia Duster comes equipped with a range of advanced driver assistance systems as standard, meeting the latest European safety standards. Standard features include cruise control/speed limiter on all trims and automatic low-beam headlights across all trims. Additionally, the All-New Duster Extreme and Journey models feature automatic switching between low-beam and high-beam headlights.

New driver assistance systems enhance safety and peace of mind, including automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, speeding alert, rear parking assist, emergency stop signal, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, and emergency calls (eCall). To streamline configuration, Dacia introduces the My Safety button, allowing drivers to quickly customize their preferred driver assistance systems.

Optimized Comfort for Every Journey

Built on the CMF-B platform, the All-New Dacia Duster offers unparalleled value in its segment, boasting increased interior space, including enhanced front width and rear legroom (+30mm). The lower boot floor, wider boot opening, and increased boot space (up to 6% extra space) ensure practicality and versatility, with 472 liters of storage capacity under the parcel tray in the All-New Duster 4×2.

To enhance driver comfort, the All-New Duster features amenities such as an electric parking brake from the Expression trim, while the Extreme and Journey trims come standard with electrically adjustable and folding door mirrors. Additionally, for tackling harsh conditions, the All-New Duster offers available heated steering wheel and windscreen de-icing system.

Innovative Convenience Features

Dacia introduces the YouClip system, designed to hold various accessories securely throughout the passenger compartment. The All-New Duster comes equipped with three (in the Essential trim) or five YouClip grips, capable of accommodating accessories such as a tablet stand, storage pouch, smartphone stand with induction charger, or a versatile “3 in 1” accessory (cupholder, bag hook, and movable light). The ingenious 3-in-1 system is factory-installed in Duster Extreme, with YouClip-compatible accessories available from the Dacia Retailer Network.

  1. Media Display: Standard in the Expression trim and above, the Media Display system boasts a 10.1-inch center touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Factory-installed in All-New Duster Expression models, it includes four speakers for immersive audio experiences.

  2. Media Nav Live: Included in Journey and Extreme models, the Media Nav Live system offers all the features of Media Display, plus a connected navigation system with real-time traffic updates and a premium six-speaker Arkamys 3D Sound System.

  3. Media Control: Featured in the Essential trim, Media Control offers comprehensive infotainment functionality controllable from the steering wheel. With a 3.5-inch screen displaying media-related information, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, and smartphone stand, it provides convenient access to entertainment and communication features. Integration with the Dacia Media Control app allows control via smartphone screen.

Enhanced Connectivity and Services:

The All-New Duster meets the latest European GSR2 requirements, offering native connectivity for enhanced functionality. Vehicles equipped with Media Display and Media Nav Live benefit from additional connected services, including Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) for seamless software updates and connected maintenance monitoring via the MyDacia smartphone application.

Customizable Digital Dashboard:

Setting a new standard, the All-New Duster introduces a 7-inch customizable color digital dashboard, allowing drivers to personalize the display layout with their preferred information. Standard in the Expression trim and above, this feature enhances visibility and usability for a tailored driving experience.

Convenient Charging and Smartphone Integration:

All trim levels feature a dedicated phone slot for easy access. Versions with Media Display and Media Nav Live include a YouClip smartphone holder, along with two front and two rear USB-C ports, enabling charging for up to four devices simultaneously. Additionally, wireless smartphone charging is available in the center console, standard in upper trim levels, ensuring convenient power access for front passengers.

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Enhanced Off-Road Capabilities and Robust Build Quality

The All-New Dacia Duster offers superior off-road performance with its 4×4 Terrain Control transmission, featuring five driving modes tailored for various terrains:

  1. Auto: Automatically adjusts power distribution between front and rear axles based on wheel grip and speed.
  2. Snow: Optimizes trajectory on slippery surfaces with specific ESC and anti-skid settings.
  3. Mud/Sand: Enhances traction on unstable terrain.
  4. Off-Road: Delivers top performance on challenging terrains, automatically distributing torque between front and rear wheels for optimal grip.
  5. Eco: Maximizes fuel efficiency by regulating air conditioning and torque distribution to minimize consumption while adapting to road conditions.

With a ground clearance of 217 mm (measurement between axles) in the 4×4 version, the All-New Duster boasts the highest ground clearance on the market. Its impressive approach and departure angles of up to 31° at the front and 36° at the rear (4×4 versions) allow it to navigate obstacles with ease, complemented by a 24° ventral angle.

The All-New Duster introduces downhill speed control, ensuring safe navigation on steep slopes by automatically adjusting vehicle speed (0-30 km/h) through brake actuation, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering.

The innovative All Road Info system provides essential off-road data on the 10.1-inch center screen, including lateral tilt, uphill/downhill pitch, and power distribution to the front and rear axles (4×4 version).

Durable Exterior and Interior Features

The All-New Duster is equipped with extra-heavy-duty shielding to protect against light impacts and scratches, including flank shields, wheel-arch guards, and large skid plates under the bumpers.

The interior is built to withstand rugged conditions, with the Extreme trim featuring washable TEP MicroCloud upholstery and 20% recycled rubber mats in the front, rear, and boot.

Tougher Materials for Longevity

Skid plates and shields around the car are made from Starkle®, a robust material developed by Dacia engineers, ensuring durability and resistance to scratches.

The All-New Duster also offers more InNature accessories, including the Sleep Pack—a portable double bed with a tray table and storage space—and a new roof rack capable of holding up to 80 kg, perfect for outdoor adventures.

Eco-Friendly and Affordable

Remaining true to Dacia’s values, the All-New Duster incorporates hybrid powertrains and more recycled materials, offering a sustainable and cost-effective driving solution without compromising performance

Ouassim Akhayad

has been writing about cars, motorsport and everything that moves on wheels since 2018. He was still a student at the time, and made his social media debut on his popular Petrolheads Club page. Ouassim likes comfortable practical coupes with plenty of torque.

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