Driving the Dacia Duster 1.0 TCe LPG: Modern and affordable!   

Weekly coexistence with the LPG car Dacia Duster reveals the aspects of his character and the reasons why he is particularly popular in our country! 

Meet 

It is the mid-size SUV of the Dacia, which was introduced in late 2009 and sales started in 2010. It became the company's main model that established it in many markets, including Greece. The second and current generation of the model, which we tested, was released in late 2017. We could set the stage for the Duster's history in the early 1980s with the Aro Duster... which is about other times and covered different needs. However, this model was the inspiration for the new life cycle of the Romanian SUV! It is significant that since 2010 more than 2.000.000 Duster have been sold in the Old Continent!

External design 

The simple and muscular lines create a modern and easily recognizable ensemble. At the front, it adopts the company's new design identity with a distinctive grille and trapezoidal "Eco Led" headlamps ending in the flared off-road bumper. The image is completed by the hood with embossed ribs that give it dynamism! 

The profile has the most design interest, as the square shape accommodates the flared fenders, making the car look more youthful. 

The simplicity continues at the rear, with the vertical fifth ending in the Off-Road bumper, with square rear lights with Y-shaped Led graphics, a trademark of the model!

All in all, it is a simple and beautiful design ensemble, which seals the design language of the new era of Dacia! 

Internal  

Inside the cabin, simplicity reigns supreme. Hard plastics have been used throughout, in order to keep manufacturing and disposal costs low. Nevertheless, they make up a modern image that is complemented by the Media Display multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The ergonomic seats offer adequate comfort for passengers, with the rear seats being amphitheatrically positioned, providing ample space in the rear and accommodating taller people. 

Ergonomics and versatility meet user requirements, with spaces and solutions! Finally, the boot capacity starts at 478 litres and reaches 1,623 with the rear seats fully folded! 

Engine 

Under the bonnet is the familiar 999cc three-cylinder dual-fuel engine, which produces 100 hp at 4,600-5,000 rpm and 170 Nm of torque at 2,000-3,500 rpm using LPG, while using petrol reduces it to 91 hp at 4,400-4,900 rpm and 160 Nm at 2,000-3,500 rpm. Drive is transferred exclusively to the front axle!

On the road 

So what can we expect from the Dacia Duster in real-world conditions? The answer is detailed below! 

In the city thanks to the high driving position and large side windows, it offers very good visibility. Quite nervous at low revs, thanks to the short-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, it makes manoeuvring through the urban environment easier when needed. At the same time, the driver is not aware of the car's bulk, giving the impression that it is a smaller vehicle!  

In the mountain and rural network shows off its touring character, with a comfortable ride as the soft suspension absorbs shocks. This results in more pronounced cornering, but without being problematic! The long 217 mm ground clearance, despite the lack of all-wheel drive, allows it to navigate dirt roads and rough terrain with ease! The approach (30o), ramp (21o) and escape (34o) angles also contribute to this.

On the motorway the driver and passengers will experience a top level of comfort and good sound insulation. The Dacia Duster is stable to a satisfactory degree, showing in practice that it is in no way inferior to a more expensive car! 

General the Dacia Duster 1.0 TCe LPG provides exemplary passenger comfort. The tight six-speed gearbox gives it the necessary nerve and torque for on- and off-road driving! However, the "hidden ace" is the use of LPG, which with its low price, reduces the cost of ownership to a minimum. 

According to Dacia, the combined range reaches 1,200 kilometres, thanks to two large 34-litre tanks for LPG and 50 litres for petrol. Without going into unnecessary maths, the price difference between LPG and petrol is significant, with the benefit being reflected in the consumer's pocket! 

Who it is aimed at 

The Dacia Duster is a car for family drivers and adventure lovers who want a modern SUV, but don't accept any concessions in their budget! 

Price 

With the price list starting from 19.490€ in the Ambiance version it is the most affordable car in its class! The Sportive version is priced at €20,730 while the more luxurious Prestige version comes in at €21,690. 

Technical characteristics 

Conclusion

The Dacia Duster is an honest car and this is what it clearly projects to the consumer. Its main advantage is its excellent price-value-feature ratio. At the same time it is comfortable and has plenty of space! The version with the 100 hp dual-fuel TCe engine achieves very low running costs. In a nutshell... The Dacia Duster 1.0 TCe LPG is a modern affordable car with a strong touring character, plenty of space and with the main advantage being reflected in the consumer's pocket! 

Interior & practicality

6.8

Current expenditure

6.5

Road behaviour & performance

4.2

Security

3.4

Enjoyment factor

3.6

What grade do you give him?12 Votes

7.9

SYN

Price - value ratio

Equipment

Cost of use

Places

PLEEN

Quality of materials

4.9