Dacia Duster
Summary: Real life reviews written by people who own the vehicle. Our reviews cover the Dacia Duster Access, Ambiance and Laureate, in both 2WD and 4WD applications, petrol and diesel engines.
Do you own a Dacia Duster? Why not let us know your thoughts and add your review to the list?
Rated 4.07 stars
81.4%
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- How It DrivesUser: 90%
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User: 90%All rounder!
Paul Shiel on 2015-08-27 22:11:13 EditDacia Duster Laureate 4x2 1.5 dci
Purchased may 2013.
27 month's old.
Currently displaying 63,000 miles.
Original Tyre's, Disc's, Pads.
The only item's that have been changed are oils and filters.Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 90%
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User: 90%- Reliability
User: 100%- Practicality
User: 100%Ronseal
Knuckles on 2015-03-30 11:52:50 EditAs I was driving the car I couldn't help thinking of the reviews were there presenters kept on saying its quite good this, yeah it is good do you know they are good ! i have nothing but pleasure using the car driven to Germany and was brilliant on their autobahns.
Works for me šRating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 97%
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User: 82%- Reliability
User: 98%- Practicality
User: 97%the best car ive had in years
whitley1958 on 2015-03-24 12:35:27 Editi have had my duster 1.5 4wd since 2013 april ive put 25000 miles on it and its great its solid reliable i have no issues with it at all not like other new cars ive had over the years including Mitsubishi asx and fords the only car that compare it with is the skoda octavia 1.9 tdi for quality and reliability as you can tell im over the moon with it and yes mine had paint problems but dacia deal with it straight away not like mitsubishi how also i had a paint problem with keep it up dacia 5star
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 83%
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User: 78%- Reliability
User: 94%- Practicality
User: 89%Better than you expect
lindley chambers on 2015-03-11 09:33:11 EditHaving had my Duster 4x4 Laureate diesel for a year and 27,00 miles now I think I can comment fairly on it.
Reliability has been faultless. Not a single problem. The only warranty fix has been a bit of rust on wiper arms which were replaced without question and a adjustment on an alarm sensor as it was setting of the alarm sometimes. Other than that no problems.
Costs to run. Cheap as chips have only put fuel in and paid for 2 services which were £125 each.
Fuel economy. Obviously not getting the 52mpg advertised bit I drive briskly and tow a trailer quite a lot but still the average over the whole year has been around 38-40mpg which is decent for a 4x4. Certainly better than my old freelander.
Looks . I like the styling and it's all functional. Yes the plastics are a bit base but it all works and takes knock and nothing has broken.
Driving. It drives much better than it should for the price. Smooth not too noisy although wind noise can be high on the faster roads. Comfortable on long Journeys. Handles ok but steering can be a bit sensitive to rough bumps and cornering over a bump sometimes produces strong feedback through the steering wheel. Off road it's great on muddy tracks and across fields and grass. Almost as good as my freelander was.
In summary a great car for the price and a better can than you expect for that money. It does everything I need without stuff I don't at a price I am happy with.Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 94%
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User: 98%Very Satisfied customer
ian gillibrand on 2015-03-08 16:30:26 EditSo this is the first new car I have ever bought though have been driving new leased cars over the past 6 years. This car is amazing value for money. I have bought a phase 2 black 4x2 Laureate Duster which I collected in early Feb 2014 with protection and styling packs.
The comfort for myself and passengers is excellent and the ride quality very good.It is evident Dacia have done some work on the reported noise issue. I have a 1.5dci and it is extremely quiet and smooth despite still being run in.
The boot is huge and easily accessed and even the Medianav has been a pleasant surprise being intuitive to use.
It is too early to really judge fuel economy but seems good so far.
I have had lots of interest from colleagues at work in the car and all (including Quashai owners) are very impressed ..........especially with my 15000 quid purchase price!
In short, highly recommended
Rating: 11 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 28%
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User: 100%- Reliability
User: 22%- Practicality
User: 74%wet
Donna on 2015-03-06 20:22:16 Editbought a new step way sept 14, rear passenger footwell filled with water 4 times. Shocking customer service and zero compensation. Wouldn't touch another Dacia with a barge pole
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 81%
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User: 86%- Reliability
User: 99%- Practicality
User: 96%58mpg.
wurdoomed on 2015-03-01 11:12:52 EditWe have had our Duster Laureate 1.5 diesel for a month now and covered 2200 miles of trouble free motoring.In normal driving mode it returns 51mpg.In eco mode 53mpg and on one trip of 268 miles of Scottish A roads and motorway returned 58mpg.in eco.
Only gripe i have is that it doesnt come with automatic gearbox.
That aside its great to drive with an up high view of the world where you can look at all the badge snobs in their overpriced cars and have a snigger to yourself when you remember how little you paid for all this car.Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 73%
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User: 75%- Reliability
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User: 97%Two Wheel Drive
wurdoomed on 2015-03-01 09:18:17 EditWell that's a month with our khaki car.First ever New car for us and so far it's money well spent.2000 miles on various roads.In normal mode 51.2 mpg is pretty good.In eco 53.4.On a 268 mile run on eco it recorded 58 mpg.
My only gripe is that it doesn't come as an automatic.
we too laugh at badge snobs who runs out in cars costing 2 or 3 times the price of a Dacia Duster 4x2 diesel.Rating: 11 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 80%
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User: 75%- Reliability
User: 40%- Practicality
User: 75%Very Poor on Providing Spares - 2 months waiting now!
Jim on 2015-02-28 15:23:18 EditI have a 4x4 Duster Laureate that has been fine until 8 weeks ago when the heater fan failed except on full speed. Now Dacia/ Renault cannot find the spare part anywhere, and it seems this is not an isolated fault as there are others with same, and they still cannot locate a spare! This is a big problem with the cold, damp weather as the car mists up readily.
Not sure I would ever buy another when spares are not available.Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 100%
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User: 100%Bargain
Paul on 2015-02-27 20:05:27 EditI've never owned a new car or a top of the range one just several Golfs, a Celica, an Almera and a Hi-Lux Surf. I have also owned several Landies (which could be why the "Basic" set up of the Access model doesn't phase me). I honestly love this car, from the very comfortable seat position to the fantastic boot space. Don't get me wrong, if I could afford a Land Cruiser I wouldn't have looked at the Duster but I can't and I'm glad as I would have missed out. I've never minded second hand cars but am old n grey now so I've had enough of working on cars so when I saw the Duster (I prefer a car with a higher driving position) and its price I had to try it.
I settled on the Access because I couldn't bring myself to spend any more on a car. I do miss aircon but only for de-misting the windows, I would prefer an engine with more guts and better fuel economy and I would prefer for the fittings to be less "plasticy" but I can definitely cope with them as they are. I would highly recommend the Duster to anyone considering buying a similar sized car as I think even the top of the range Dusters represent excellent value for money.Rating: 22 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 51%
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User: 40%- Reliability
User: 20%- Practicality
User: 73%Returned Duster for a Refund
Mark on 2015-02-11 19:22:12 EditCollected my 1.6 petrol Access on 2nd Jan 2015. Before the month was through it was showing signs of rust and I rejected it for a full refund.
The Good - Spacious, practical with low purchase price
The Bad - 1.6 petrol really not powerful enough for car, very sparsely equiped in Access trim, wind/road/engine noise very noticable at speed, seats uncomfortable on longer journey. Was not economical although was still runnig in. Completed 1,100 miles.
All in all whilst I can't fault it for the purchase price £8.5k with delivery milage it is quite compromised aqnd in a strange way I was glad it went started to rust as it allowed me a refund and a re-think.
Looking back it reminded me of our old Fiat Panda when it was the cheapest thing on the road..the thin metal, cheap seats and zero equipment or driving pleasure. If you can live with that and don't mind driving something that doesn't feel like a modern day car then you get a lot of space for your money but after what was effectively a month long test drive I wasn't sorry to see it go and I appreciate my new ( albiet more expensive ) car a whole lot more.
Rating: 44 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 45%
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User: 45%- Reliability
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User: 50%HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST VALUE THERE IS IN A 4x4
AlasdairMac on 2015-02-09 16:32:42 EditNow one month in to my ownership of a 1.5DCi 4x4 Laureate Duster and I am delighted with it. Comfortable, responsive, oodles of space, good driving position and so far great fuel economy at around 45mpg urban. O n slight niggle is the MediaNav screen which when being used for SatNav could perhaps have been mounted at a slight angle and higher up.
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 97%
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User: 91%- Reliability
User: 98%- Practicality
User: 95%great car
YCFC10 on 2015-02-07 23:48:36 Editwas looking for a new car in 2013 tried a few was going to buy another kia careen but the price went up to £25000. saw an advert for dacia never heard of them. went to see what they were like at £1000 for a new car. was going to road test a sandero but a duster was parked next to it so I road tested the duster instead. at £14000 for a brand new car and when the salesman said we will give you £4500 for your old kia no contest. had it since may2013 36000 miles will be buying another when the warranty runs out
Rating: 44 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 80%
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User: 80%- Reliability
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User: 100%Great workhorse
paula jacques on 2015-02-07 18:26:45 EditBearing in mind the price paid for the car you can't expect range rover standards. It does what it says on the tin. I am more than happy.
Rating: 44 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 74%
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User: 62%- Reliability
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User: 81%great value Duster
Barry on 2015-01-20 19:16:28 EditI picked up my Duster in December of 2013 and have since covered over 11000 miles, many of those miles towing a caravan. I have found the vehicle to be totally reliable and excellent value for money. During the first 12 months, the only fault I found was a flat spot which was resolved during the first service, although I had not mentioned it as a problem. I am satisfied with the Duster at the moment, but when the time comes, I would not buy another, unless the engine size was increased and an automatic added as an option. I believe that there is an opportunity in the market for a Duster as a towing vehicle, but as previously stated with a larger engine and auto. If a model was available I would trade in ASAP.
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 97%
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User: 50%- Reliability
User: 98%- Practicality
User: 99%great car
max4merl on 2015-01-19 15:39:36 EditWe bought a 4x4 access for a workhorse not expecting anything. Foe £11495 though what we have is what we think feels like a superbly comfy quiet cruiser that is supremely practical and is a total bargain. 300 miles into ownership and we are in love. IGNORE THE PRESS RELEASE S that say it's noisy it definitely is not. It cruised happily at 70 mph on the motorway with the slightest air rustle around the a pillars. This is an amazing car. We laugh at freelanders passing at £30k and more. Do the maths!
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 50%
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User: 50%An amazing car
max4merl on 2015-01-18 18:39:52 EditTook delivery Saturday and after a weekend of driving we're just so impressed with the car. Duster 4x4 1.6 petrol access , quiet refined fast enough but of course it's not a sports car we just love it. So far ownership is very very pleasant. Where on earth the press get the idea this is a n o isy car I do not know.. it definitely is not . At 70mph the loudest noise is a rustle of air around the a pillars and no worse t h an my brand new mini f56 cooper for half t h e price! Hmmm do the maths! Yes the plastics are harder but yes they will last longer without being damaged by our dog out luggage.Yes it's a bit thirtieth, 36 mpg so far v 42 but it's a huge load carrying 4x4. If you want a cheap practical refined cruiser that totally irons out potholes and speed bumps, go for it. It's a bargain!
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 100%
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User: 89%- Reliability
User: 100%- Practicality
User: 100%Dacia Duster Laureate 2WD 2013 on spec
dgc on 2014-12-29 18:46:04 EditLooked at a Nissan Juke, Qashqai and finally another Renault Scenic, went to a Renault Dealership to look at / buy a Scenic I had seen on there website, arrived and watched as it was driven out of the dealership. So whilst there looked at the Stepways and Dusters, taken by a Duster in blue, did not even test drive it, just brought on spec. It had a couple of extra options fitted already, Now have fitted the Dacia / Phillips DRL kit, Have the Dacia rear bumper protector to fit and waiting for the Dacia Spoiler to arrive. So you can guess I am impressed with the car.
Rating: 55 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 95%
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User: 99%- Reliability
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User: 100%Well worth the money and a good vehicle overal.
Dennis Hough on 2014-11-24 14:36:12 EditVery nice and worth the money as a 2wd diesel motor. Surprisingly good MPG and build. A couple of bad things, one the back of the rear seat is only covered in cheap cloth and can easily get holed by gods or a dogs pay when in the down position. The rear Duster chrome badge thing fill with water and needs a couple of drainage holes in it. For another £10 on cost it would have been a better review if they had done these two things better. Also, the auto locking of all doors when you dont want it and when at a stop such as unloading the rear means you can shut your keys in it, be warned it is a useless addition and very bad design.
No bad mechanical or electrical events at all and trouble free motoring.Rating: 44 /5 stars- How It DrivesUser: 82%
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User: 63%- Reliability
User: 76%- Practicality
User: 85%Value for Money
mervyn taylor on 2014-11-20 18:39:35 EditYou pay for what you get normally but with the Duster I think you get more than what you pay for. I wanted a relatively spacious vehicle with reasonable MPG but also something I could have some off road fun in. I looked at many second hand options but with warranty and no MOT for 3 years the Duster made sense.. It is good on the road. The quality inside is not great but I haven't spent £80K on a Range Rover. I actually enjoy the slight agricultural feel and the fact you can hear what the engine is doing. Great car for off road fun and also cruise down the motorway at circa 45+ mpg.
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