Facelifted Dacia Duster to go on sale in July

This is the facelifted Dacia Duster, which will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend before going on sale next month.

What is it?

The Dacia Duster is a budget rival for small SUVs such as the Renault Captur and Nissan Qashqai. While those cars major on practicality, the Duster’s biggest selling point is its low price - the range is priced from just £9495.

We’ve been big fans of the Duster, mainly because it’s an incredible amount of car for your money, and it also offers many of the features which buyers in this market love, such as a large boot and the option of four-wheel drive.

For this updated version, Dacia has given the Duster new square headlights and a slightly revised front end, as well as equipment changes inside and the option of a new engine.

What engines can I choose from?

For the 2017 model year, buyers can now choose from a new 1.2-litre petrol engine, although the existing 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel options also remain. We’re big fans of the diesel option and would recommend it over the other engines here, because it’s more flexible and frugal than the petrol alternatives, and can also be reasonably refined.

All versions of the Dacia Duster can be had with either two or four-wheel drive.

What equipment does it come with?

Although the idea of a range-topping budget-priced SUV might sound ironic, Dacia has launched a new Prestige version of the Duster. This model costs from £13,795 and comes with 16in alloy wheels, satellite navigation and a rear parking camera as standard.

Elsewhere, the Duster’s options list has been improved with rear parking sensors, part-leather upholstery and a new paint colour.

Our favourite trim level in the Duster is Ambiance trim, which is one up from entry-level Access specification. These models receive 16in steel wheels, body-coloured bumpers, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB connection and front fog lights.

How much does it cost?

Prices for this facelifted Duster are from £9495, making it vastly less expensive than rivals such as the £14,575 Renault Captur and £18,545 Nissan Qashqai.

With such a low price, the Duster is by far the cheapest option in this class, and if you’re willing to overlook some of the compromises that come with being engineered to such a tight budget, the Dacia Duster makes a very compelling case for itself.

How good are its rivals?

The Renault Captur is a competent enough small SUV, but the real hero in this market is the Nissan Qashqai. It was our Car of the Year in 2014, and is still our favourite small SUV two years later. Watch our video reviews of both cars below.

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