Living with a… Dacia Duster (Month 4)

Here at Autotrader we’ve always loved the Dacia Duster for its no-frills, value-focused approach. Now in its third generation, the latest Duster gains a healthy dose of modern tech but still manages keep costs to a minimum. For the first time you can buy a hybrid version of the Duster which is the model we’ll be trying out. Could this be the perfect blend of economy, practicality and value for money? We’ve got six months to find out.
Skip to: Month 1 – Another one drives a Duster Month 2 – To the fields and beyond Month 3 – Calamitous cousins go camping Month 4 – Rough and ready

I’m a thirtysomething newlywed living in the suburbs. Dacia says Brits like me lose our sense of adventure by the age of 36 and while I still have a few years left, I am hoping the Duster will help instil an openness to new experiences. We don’t have any pets or children which means we don’t need a big car. Instead, I drive a Mazda MX-5 and my husband has a more practical Renault Megane E-Tech. I rarely use the car for commuting but still rack up a hefty number of miles with long-distance work trips and visiting family at the opposite end of the country.

Catherine says: “The Duster makes me want to wear tweed, don my welly boots and hang out in the fields”

How much has it cost you?

Absolutely nothing yet. The Duster arrived with a full tank and a claimed range of 495 miles. I’ve driven it around for 200 miles and it’s still showing three quarters of a tank and reckons it’s good for another 400 miles. Either it runs on air, or I'm a lot lighter on the accelerator than the previous driver.

Where have you been?

I’ve not been very far afield, but I have popped to the shops, been on a tour of Manchester airport’s very tight multi-story carparks, driven over the Pennines into West Yorkshire, and done half a circuit of the M60 to visit friends.

What have you been carrying?

Literally just me and a bag or two; I wasn't joking about not needing a big car.

Delights?

I love the Duster’s rugged looks and its slightly agricultural vibe – to be clear I’m East Anglian, so by agricultural I mean homely and reassuring. The Duster makes me want to wear tweed, don my welly boots and hang out in the fields; yes, my inspiration does come from Dacia’s ‘Another One Drives a Duster’ advert; yes, I have rewatched said advert on repeat since my car was delivered; yes, I do sing the song every time I get in the car; and yes, my husband is rethinking his life choices and keeps insisting we go out in his car which doesn't have a theme song. I digress, but in a world where Land Rover has been gentrified, the no-nonsense honesty of the Duster is undeniably charming.

Frustrations?

The Duster is a much bigger car than I need and while it has a commanding road presence, the high riding boxiness is less appreciated in tight multi-story carparks. Luckily, my car in Journey trim has plenty of cameras, which help, but they are rather grainy. Another slight niggle is the blind spot monitoring which seems to get confused by rain and trigger randomly. There’s also a mysterious rattling which gets a bit tiresome on longer journeys. I don’t know whether it's from the YouClip mobile phone attachment on my dashboard or if it comes from somewhere else, so I will have to do some digging. My only other gripe so far is you get quite a lot of vibration through the steering wheel when the petrol engine kicks in. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but it’s definitely more noticeable that in the Renault Captur I’ve just given back.

This month in a nutshell

We’re off to a good start and looking forward to the adventure ahead.

Catherine says: “I’m still absolutely obsessed with how the Duster looks and it even held its own parked up next to my dad’s Land Rover Discovery 4”

How much has it cost you?

£49.48 for a tank of petrol. This was the first time I’ve need to fill up after nearly two months of living with the Duster which equates to a measured average fuel consumption of 50mpg.

Where have you been?

Last month I said I wanted to hang out in the fields and this month I did. I headed to rural Suffolk to spend a weekend with my parents and their loopy Labrador. I took the scenic route over the Pennines and down the A1, enjoying the warm summer evening as 90s and 00s nostalgia blared out of the stereo. I even arrived in time to savour a gorgeous pink, purple and orange sunset. Bliss.

What have you been carrying?

You know you are in your thirties when you suddenly find shopping for household appliances exciting. This month we bought a new vacuum cleaner which easily fitted in the back of the Duster. I’ve also had a couple of passengers including my dad plus his accountancy apprentice who must be at least six-foot tall and had no complaints about rear legroom.

Delights?

I’m still absolutely obsessed with how the Duster looks and it even held its own parked up next to my dad’s Land Rover Discovery 4. My brother drives the second Land Rover in the family – a 2007 Freelander 2. The Freelander 2 and the Duster make an interesting comparison as they are about the same size. Yes, the Landy is much more comfortable and capable off-road, but it drinks a ridiculous amount of diesel, and its reliability rep leaves a lot to be desired. Meanwhile, the plucky Duster is very frugal and gets up to seven years of warranty if you service it every year with Dacia. For the peace of mind alone my brother was seriously considering making the switch, but the Land Rover’s boxier shape and higher seating position provides a clearer view of the road ahead and it is winning out for now.

Frustrations?

The hybrid system in the Duster is the same one used in the Renault Captur and just like the Captur I’ve lived with previously, accelerating hard in the Duster feels like wading through treacle. The petrol engine seems to struggle to know which gear to choose as the revs rise and the car runs out of puff. This sluggishness really bothered me in the Renault, but I find it less vexing in the Dacia as it fits with the Duster’s rugged character. However, on motorway journeys the Duster does lack refinement. After a few hours on the road the combination of wind noise, unidentified interior rattles and the judder as the car switches between petrol and electric mode all become a little tiring. There’s also no lumbar support either so after my recent four-hour drive from Manchester to Suffolk I was pleased to arrive at my destination.

This month in a nutshell

The Duster’s personality is charming and given its price point I am willing to overlook the slightly rough edges.

Catherine says: “Ever since I knew I’d be living with a Duster I’ve been keen to try out the optional Sleep Pack. This ingenious contraption fits neatly into the boot and then folds out to create a double bed”

How much has it cost you?

I started the month with a full tank of petrol and 471 miles later the Duster was still claiming it had a quarter of a tank left with 150 miles of range. This is now a regular occurrence. The hybrid system is offering diesel-like efficiency levels, and my purse is doing a happy dance.

Where have you been?

Dacia has provided me with a whole list of everyday adventures to help inject a bit of fun into daily life and this inspired me to go on a camping trip with my lovely cousin in Norfolk.

What have you been carrying?

Ever since I knew I’d be living with a Duster I’ve been keen to try out the optional Sleep Pack. This ingenious contraption fits neatly into the boot and then folds out to create a double bed, transforming the car into a very mini campervan. With only a short window remaining before the weather took a turn for the worse, I asked very nicely and, lo and behold, Dacia kindly kitted my Duster out with a flat packed bunk. I have zero camping experience, so my next move was to drive down from Manchester to Norfolk where I enlisted the help of my cousin, Jenny, who not only provided excellent company, but also supplied camping chairs, a gas stove and an all-important kettle. These, along with bedding, overnight bags and an emergency umbrella were all thrown haphazardly into the Duster and we set off across the county.

Delights?

We found a wonderful, picturesque camp site complete with enough amenities to appease a self-confessed glamper like me – it even had a bakery and beautifully restored windmill. The sun was shining as we found our pitch and began to set up. Call me foolish but, aside from watching a YouTube video, I hadn’t tried out the Sleep Pack in advance. Luckily it was incredibly easy to assemble, you simply slide forward the front seats, fold the rear seats down, pull out the main bedframe, slot a couple of slats across the middle, prop the whole thing up on a couple of legs, unfurl the mattress and, voilà, let happy camping commence! It was definitely quicker than putting up a tent and the foam mattress was surprisingly comfy. The Duster was the coolest looking accommodation on the camp site, plus Jenny and I had a fab time reminiscing about childhood sleepovers.

Frustrations?

You’ve heard the Instagram version, but what was the reality of sleeping in a family-size SUV? Well, it was cosy, very cosy. It’s just as well we are quite petite because once the Sleep Pack is installed space in the Duster is limited and it can also be quite challenging to get in and out. As a solution to this issue Dacia will also sell you a tailgate tent, or you could just buy a regular tent, but where’s the fun in that? I had at least remembered leave the parcel shelf at home and we’d wisely travelled light with squishable luggage which could be shoved into the footwells. There was also a small amount of storage space under the bed where we could stow the rest of our camping gear. Thankfully it didn’t rain so we were able to sit outside and cook. I say cook, but a slight mishap with the stove resulted in a small fire before running out of gas completely and we ended up with a feast of cold pasta – whoops. The only other problem occurred when we noticed a “12V battery backup mode” warning on the Duster’s dashboard. This was presumably a result of all our comings and goings with the interior lights, keyless entry and other electric systems booting up every time we opened the doors. It’s fair to say this had us a little worried as we spent the night huddled up like sardines. The next morning we packed up, prayed, prodded the start button and held our breath… the mighty Duster roared into life and we quickly headed for home, declaring our trip a success.

This month in a nutshell

The Duster’s outgoing character continues to encourage me to try new things. I really enjoyed trying out the Sleep Pack. Was it a fun experience? Undoubtedly. Would I spend my own money on it? Probably not.

Catherine says: “I’m taking you on a journey back in time to tell you about the 4x4 Extreme Duster I borrowed during the summer while my car had a Sleep Pack fitted”

How much has it cost you?

As the leaves start to fall and the dark nights draw in, I’m taking you on a journey back in time to tell you about the 4x4 Extreme Duster I borrowed during the summer while my car had a Sleep Pack fitted. The 4x4 version is a mild hybrid which unlike my full hybrid can’t run on electric power alone. Instead, it uses a much smaller battery to provide a slight power boost from a standstill. According to the trip computer the Duster 4x4 managed a respectable 45.1mpg, around 10mpg less than the hybrid. As tested, both Dusters cost about the same to buy, so it’s worth considering fuel costs over time and whether you really need the off-roading capability.

Where have you been?

My longest trip in the Duster 4x4 took me to the Kilnsey agricultural show in the Yorkshire Dales. The Duster looked at home in this rural setting and it was a fun day out watching promenading cattle, sheep dog trials and sheep shearing.

What have you been carrying?

Walking boots, raincoats and my husband as a passenger.

Delights?

It’s lovely driving along a narrow country lane knowing if something comes the other way you don’t have to be picky about finding a passing place, you can simply drive over a verge or pothole. This is probably as off-road as most people get but it’s satisfying to know the Duster could take on more challenging terrain if you needed it to. When we arrived at the Kilnsey Show we got the off-roading screen up on the display and watched as the power was distributed to all four wheels while we drove around a field looking for a parking space.

Frustrations?

Changing gears in the manual 4x4 Duster felt like a welcome novelty after my time in the high-revving hybrid. However, like the hybrid the 4x4 is not set up for speed so I needed to give the gears a good stir to get the car up to a motorway cruise. This wasn’t too much of a hardship thanks to the light pedals, but the gearbox isn’t particularly satisfying and to my surprise I found myself stuck in traffic missing the ease of my automatic Duster. Another small frustration is the glitchy sound system which sometimes defaults to adjusting the sat-nav volume instead of the music. Maybe it’s a result of using Android Auto but it’s happened in both Dusters I’ve had on loan.

This month in a nutshell

Rough, tough and ready to go – we enjoyed having a 4x4 Duster at our disposal.