Summary
This review of the new Dacia Duster highlights significant updates including a new chassis, engines, interior, and technology. While its price has increased to £18,000, it’s still considered great value for money, offering a more modern and refined experience than its predecessor. Key improvements include a smoother hybrid powertrain, better handling, and an updated design, though some minor drawbacks like infotainment glitches and less premium interior materials are noted.
Key claims
- The new Dacia Duster is a significant upgrade over the previous model, featuring a new chassis, engines, interior, and technology.
- Despite a price increase to £18,000, the Duster remains excellent value for money.
- The new hybrid powertrain offers a smoother driving experience, particularly at low speeds.
- The Duster’s exterior design is significantly improved, making it look more desirable.
- While interior material quality is still budget-oriented, the overall cabin design and features are much improved.
- The infotainment system experienced glitches but was fixable by the reviewer.
- The Duster’s handling is better than before, offering a more controlled and less body-roll-prone ride.
Entities mentioned
- dacia_duster — The subject of the review, analysed for its improvements and value proposition in the small SUV market.
- renault — Supplier of engines and chassis technology for the new Dacia Duster.
- carwow — The platform and publisher of the review video, promoting its services for car purchasing and selling.
- matt_watson — The reviewer providing a detailed analysis and verdict on the new Dacia Duster.
- peugeot_2008 — Used as a comparative benchmark for the Dacia Duster’s suspension comfort.
- volkswagen_t_roc — Used as a comparative benchmark for the Dacia Duster’s long-distance cruising comfort.
Concepts covered
- hybrid_powertrain — Represents a key technological advancement in the new Dacia Duster, offering improved efficiency and a smoother driving experience compared to previous diesel engines.
- chassis — A new chassis in the Dacia Duster contributes to improved handling, ride quality, and overall structural integrity compared to the previous generation.
- infotainment_system — The infotainment system in the new Duster has been updated, but experienced glitches during testing, highlighting potential reliability issues.
- euro_ncap_safety_rating — The new Dacia Duster received a 3-star Euro NCAP rating, which is considered not very good, primarily due to the lack of advanced safety systems and pedestrian protection features found in competitors.
- recycled_materials — The Duster features plastic cladding made from 20% recycled materials, contributing to its sustainability credentials.
- dyed_in_form_plastic — The Duster uses this type of plastic for its exterior cladding, advertised as being more resistant to showing scratches, though the reviewer found this claim to be untrue.
Contradictions or open questions
The claim about ‘dyed in form’ plastic not showing scratches was directly contradicted by the reviewer’s test. The reviewer also noted discrepancies between the press pack and the actual vehicle regarding rear brakes (discs vs. drums) and found the manual required a QR code scan for download.
Source
yvmSk1Wsru4_New_Dacia_Duster_Review__The_KING_of_Small_SUVs_.txt