Despite calling the facelifted version of the previous generation ‘all-new’, the second-gen Dacia Duster was launched in 2017 and hit assembly lines this year.
It’s still the company’s most expensive model, but ‘expensive’ has a different meaning at Dacia, as the small SUV can be had from £9,995 ($13,208) in the United Kingdom, with front-wheel drive.
Spec it with a few options and the all-wheel drive system, and see its price climb to some £13,500 ($17,839) in the Essential grade, whereas the range-topping Prestige, offered with either a 4WD petrol or a 2WD diesel engine, starts from £16,395 ($21,665).
Also Watch: Facelifted 2017 Dacia Duster: Value For Money Or You Pay What You Get?
The 2018 Duster has a new exterior design that’s more appealing than before yet still instantly recongizable. It comes with a new front grille, redesigned headlights, updated bumpers and a set of taillights that seem to have been inspired by the ones of the Jeep Renegade.
The biggest change is found inside, where it is better than its predecessor in just about everything, from the ergonomics to the more comfortable seats. Most plastics are still hard, but they do look better than before.
Around town, AutoTrader found the new Duster to be quite a joy to drive, with its soft suspension absorbing most bumps in the road, and the petrol engine being quiet at low revs.
Take it on the highway, though, and that joy is slightly ruined due to the wind, tire and engine noise intruding into the cockpit, and the budget SUV isn’t that good on twisty roads, either.
But the Duster isn’t meant to excel at tackling the twisties anyway, so let’s see what other pros and cons the reviewer found in the video shared below.