Dacia Duster updated with punchier and more efficient hybrid engines

On sale November Price from £23,000 (est)

The Dacia Duster small SUV has received two upgraded hybrid engines as part of an update, meaning it now offers more power and improved fuel economy.

The old 128bhp mild hybrid engine has been replaced with a new 138bhp system, combining an upgraded version of its 1.2-litre petrol engine with a small electric motor. It keeps the same six-speed manual gearbox it had previously, and it should now benefit from some extra punch.

Fuel economy has improved slightly to 52mpg, while emissions are just slightly higher, at 122g/km (up 1g/km on the outgoing model) — although road tax (VED) and company car tax remain unchanged.

There’s also a new version of the range-topping hybrid model. It also gets a power boost, pumping out 153bhp from its 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor, instead of the old 138bhp. That motor is powered by a slightly larger 1.4kWh battery which allows the hybrid Duster to travel on all-electric power for short distances.

Fuel economy has improved to 58mpg from 55mpg, while emissions are down 7g/km, to 105g/km, compared with the outgoing model, seeing it drop down a company car tax band.

The Duster’s interior has also been updated, with new upholstery and additional lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat on Journey trim. Top-spec Extreme trim gets new black alloy wheels. Both of those top-spec trims receive adaptive cruise control when you opt for one of the new hybrid engines – but if you go for Extreme trim, you’ll have to specify it as an option.

The new power options will be available on the Dacia Duster from November. Prices haven’t yet been revealed, but expect them to start at a slight premium compared with the outgoing models. That means we could see prices for the mild hybrid start at around £23,000, while the full hybrid could start at £26,000.

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