Dacia Duster

Design

The Duster was initially introduced in the ice racing version prepared for the Andros Trophy, presented for the first time on 17 November 2009.^[8] The production version was revealed to the media on 8 December 2009,^[9] and was subsequently launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.^[10]

Based on the B0 platform, the Duster measures 4.31 metres (169.7 in) in length, 1.82 metres (71.7 in) in width and has 210 mm (8.3 in) of ground clearance. Its luggage space has a volume of up to 475 litres (16.8 cu ft), while with the rear bench seat folded and tipped forward, its carrying ability can exceed 1,600 litres (57 cu ft).

The first-generation Duster was offered with two-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive. The 4x4 variants make use of Nissan's all-wheel drive system,^[11] which allows the driver to choose from three different driving modes: Auto, in which the rear-wheel drive is engaged automatically in case the front wheels lose grip, Lock, the rear axle spins at the same speed as the front, and 2WD where the transmission is locked into front-wheel drive for maximum fuel efficiency.

The Renault 4 had some influence on the Duster's design.^[12]

Facelift

In September 2013, the facelifted Dacia Duster was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The exterior received important changes in the front with a new chromed grille and redesigned headlights, restyled roof bars, new 16-inch wheels and modest modifications in the rear. The interior was also renewed, with design and features similar to those introduced the previous year on the new models in the Dacia line-up.^[13][14] A new TCe 125 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo engine was introduced.^[15]

In 2016, the Duster received a new steering wheel and a Blackshadow trim.^[16]

Safety

More information Test, Points ...

Euro NCAP test results
Dacia Duster (2011)^[17]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	27	74%
Child occupant:	38	78%
Pedestrian:	10	28%
Safety assist:	2	29%

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The Dacia Duster features Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). It also features electronic stability control (ESC) as an option on certain versions, as well as understeer control (CSV) and traction control (ASR). This option also allows torque to be transferred away from a spinning wheel in 4x4 mode to improve traction when diagonal wheel spin occurs.^[18]

On the passive safety front, the Dacia Duster comes as standard with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats. Depending on version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags to provide additional protection in the case of side impact. The pyrotechnic pretensioners for the front seats (depending on version) complete Dacia Duster's retention system.^[19]

The Duster for India with no airbags and no ABS received 0 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Global NCAP 1.0 in 2017.^[20]

The Duster for India with driver airbag and no ABS received 3 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Global NCAP 1.0 in 2017 (similar to Latin NCAP 2013).^[21]

The Duster in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 1 airbag and no ABS received 4 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP 1.0 in 2015.^[22]

More information Test, Points ...

Latin NCAP 1.5 test results
Renault Duster + 1 Airbag
(2015, similar to Euro NCAP 2002)^[23]

Test	Points	Stars
Adult occupant:	11.00/17.0
Child occupant:	21.37/49.00

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In 2011, the Duster in its standard European market configuration was tested by the Euro NCAP, receiving a three-star rating. It was awarded 27 points (74%) for the adult occupant protection, 38 points (78%) for the child occupant protection, 10 points (28%) for the pedestrian protection and two points (29%) for the safety assist features. In the latter category, the rating was influenced by the lack of the speed limiter and the fact that the electronic stability control was available only as an option.^[17]

Engines

Marketing and production

The first-generation Dacia Duster was offered in Europe, Turkey, Algeria and Morocco from March 2010, with prices starting from €11,900 (or €10,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the two-wheel drive version, and from €13,900 (or €11,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the 4x4 version.^[18][24] From June 2010, the Duster is also available in Ukraine, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon and in some African countries badged as a Renault, while in 2011, it is sold in the Persian Gulf States.^[25]

In 2014, 40% of the Duster units sold worldwide were badged as Dacia and 60% (70% in 2013) as Renault.^[26]

In June 2011, Renault revealed the Duster in South America at the Buenos Aires Motor Show.^[27] It will be produced at its Curitiba plant in Brazil for distribution in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and at the Sofasa plant in Colombia, to be sold in Mexico and Ecuador with marketing planned to start in the last quarter of 2011.^[28]

The first-generation Duster was manufactured at the Avtoframos plant in Moscow, Russia with about 80,000 annual quantities, being available since 1 March 2012 with prices starting from about $14,400^[29] and reaching 200,000 sales in 2.5 years.^[30] In June 2015, an updated version of the Duster was launched in Russia with some improved engines and features.

The Dacia brand was launched in 2012 in the UK.^[31] The Duster was named "Scottish Car of the year", "SUV of the year" and "Budget car of the year" by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. In 2012, the Duster was also introduced in Ireland.^[32]

Since 2011, the flexi-fuel (ethanol) version was available in several Western European countries, while the Bi-Fuel (LPG) version, an OEM Landi Renzo, was offered in Eastern Europe, Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands. As of January 2013, the Bi-Fuel version was also available in France. The Bi-Fuel (LPG) version has proved to be very popular in Poland. Since the Duster's K4M engine has hydraulic lifters, the LPG version needs no regular valve adjustments. As of 2014, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Romania and Luxembourg are the only countries in the European Union where the LPG version was not offered by Dacia.

Renault Duster Oroch

The Renault Duster Oroch is a double cab pick-up version of the Duster. The Duster Oroch is the first Renault-badged pick-up and creates a new range^[53] in the pick-up market: 30 cm larger than the small ones and smaller than the large pick-up, but yet with 4 real doors instead of 2 or 3 for the usual smaller pick-up. It was unveiled on 18 June 2015 at the Buenos Aires Motor Show^[54] and was previewed by a concept car^[55] at the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show.^[56]

The Duster Oroch is available since September 2015 in South America and will get an automatic gearbox in 2016.^[53] It is powered by either the 1.6 litre or the 2.0 litre petrol engine, mated to 5-speed or 6-speed gearbox respectively.

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  Front view
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  Rear view

Nissan Terrano

The Duster is also restyled and sold as the Nissan Terrano in CIS markets and India. The nameplate was used before as an alternative name to the Nissan Pathfinder. It is succeeded by the B0 platform-based Nissan Kicks in India.

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  Front view
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  Rear view

Travec Tecdrah TTi

The Travec Tecdrah TTi is an off-road vehicle based on the first gen Dacia Duster,^[57] launched in 2011.^[58] which utilizes an APAL (of Russia) developed plastic body-on-space frame first used on the APAL Stalker.

Reception

British motoring journalist Jonny Smith took the Duster on a road test in Morocco for the Fifth Gear TV programme, describing it as "brilliant"; "I really like this". He particularly praised its handling on poorly maintained mountain roads, while commenting on its poor standard of finish.^[59][60] Another drive test in Morocco was performed by James May for the Top Gear magazine.^[61]

The Dacia Duster was awarded the "Autobest 2011" prize by the members of the Autobest jury, coming from fifteen countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Macedonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Malta). Ten members of the jury have designated the Duster as the winner, after scoring in 13 criteria such as fuel consumption, versatility, roominess or design. It outran the Renault Fluence, placed third.

The Dacia Duster was nominated among the finalists of the "2011 European Car of the Year" award.^[62][63] It received praise for being "a real bargain",^[64] "a competent off-roader",^[65] as well as "attractive" and "practical".^[64]

The Dacia Duster was named the "Scottish Car of the Year 2012" at a ceremony held in Glasgow on 14 October 2012.^[66][67] It was also named "The Bargain of the Year 2012" by the Top Gear magazine.^[68][69]

In India, the Renault Duster received the "2013 Indian Car of the Year" award from a jury comprising leading automotive magazines of the country.^[70]

Safety

Latin NCAP

The Duster in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags and ESC received 4 stars for adult occupants and 3 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP 2.0 in 2019.^[85]

More information Test, Points ...

Latin NCAP 2.0 test results
Renault New Duster + 2 Airbags
(2019, based on Euro NCAP 2008)^[86]

Test	Points	Stars
Adult occupant:	26.01/34.0
Child occupant:	28.50/49.00

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Latin NCAP 3.0 did a crash test of the 2021 Renault Duster manufactured in Brazil or Romania, in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags, airbag switch, and ESC obtaining 0 stars in the crash tests (similar to Euro NCAP 2014), during the tests the passenger side door was opened and the car had a fuel leak. that made the Latin NCAP call for attention to Renault to recall the cars sold and prevent the car from leaking fuel during an accident.^[87]

More information Test, Points ...

Latin NCAP 3.0 test results
2021 Renault Duster
(2021, similar to Euro NCAP 2014)^[88]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	11	29%
Child occupant:	11	23%
Pedestrian:	24	51%
Safety assist:	15	35%

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Euro NCAP

More information Test, Points ...

Euro NCAP test results
Dacia Duster (2017)^[89]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	27	71%
Child occupant:	32	66%
Pedestrian:	24	56%
Safety assist:	5	37%

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In December 2017, Euro NCAP has published the results for the crash-tests of the second generation model. It received three out of five stars, the result being considered an expected one,^[90] although most of its rivals received five stars.^[91][92] It was awarded 27 points (71%) for the adult occupant protection, 32 points (66%) for the child occupant protection, 24 points (56%) for the pedestrian protection and five points (37%) for the safety assist features.^{[citation needed]}

In the frontal offset test, the driver received marginal to good protection ratings, while the passenger occupant received adequate to good ratings. In the frontal full width test, the driver's head received a poor protection rating and an adequate to good rating for the rest of the body.^[93]

Pedestrian protection was "predominantly good or adequate but poor results were recorded along the base of the windscreen and along the stiff windscreen pillars. The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs and protection of the pelvis was also good at all test locations."^[93]

In terms of safety equipment, it was downrated because of the lack of knee airbags, rear side chest airbags, side pelvis airbags, automatic emergency braking system or lane assist system, but it received points for the availability of the speed limiter and the seat belt reminder.^[93]

Duster Eco-G

In January 2020, Dacia presented the Duster Eco-G at the Brussels Motor Show equipped with the 3-cylinder 1.0 TCe 100 hp running on LPG.^[94]

Duster Pick-Up

In October 2020, Dacia introduced the single cab pick-up version based on the four-wheel drive Duster model. Developed in collaboration with the Romanian engineering consultancy and coachbuilder Romturingia from Câmpulung who converted, at around €3,000 each, around 500 Dusters into pickups starting in 2014 for Romanian utility company OMV Petrom,^[95][96] the Duster Pick-Up features a 1.65 m (5.4 ft) length cargo bed with a loading capacity of 1,000 L (220 imp gal; 260 US gal) and a maximum payload of 500 kg (1,100 lb), has a ground clearance of 224 mm (8.8 in), and is equipped with the Blue dCi diesel engine that develops 115 hp (86 kW) and 260 N⋅m (190 lbf⋅ft) of torque.^[73][97]

Duster Fiskal

In 2018, Dacia's Austrian importer developed a panel van version of the second generation Duster called the Dacia Duster Fiskal.^[98] This has a flat metal loading floor, a metal cargo divider, and blanked rear side windows. The rear side doors still opened, although the Duster Fiskal is a strict two-seater. The Austrian importer had also offered a Fiskal version of the original Duster.^[98]

Reception

British website carwow has reviewed the car in July 2018. It was criticised for the poor range of equipment in the lowest trim level, considering its price, for its plasticky, dark-coloured and "cheap-feeling" interior, the lack of light for the vanity mirror or the noisy electric motor for the windows.^[91] Among the good points there are its accessible folding seats, the rear-view and panoramic cameras, the in-depth-adjustable steering wheel, the good visibility and handling inside town, the soft suspension and the lock mode for the four-wheel-drive.^[99]

Facelift

2021 Dacia Duster (facelift)

The restyled version of the Duster was presented on June 22, 2021 and went on sale in September 2021.^[100] The updated Duster comes equipped with a new light signature, both front and rear, similar to the third-generation Sandero. The pattern of the grille has been slightly simplified and a sliding central armrest is also available inside.^[101][102]

The number of engines available was reduced, with there being two petrol engines of 130 and 150hp, a petrol/LPG version of 100hp, and a 115hp diesel engine available in all-wheel drive.^[103] The most powerful engine is now available as standard with the 6-speed automatic transmission (EDC6).^[104]

2022 refresh

In June 2022, like the entire Dacia range, the Duster received a slight update featuring the brand's new logo. The grille was redesigned, the steering wheel was updated with the new logo, and all the other badges were replaced.^[105] On some versions, the air vents were also updated to the same as the Renault Duster.^[105][106] The facelift also applied to the Commercial version, sold only in the United Kingdom.^[107]

Special editions

Techroad

Dacia presented the special edition in March 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show, being launched under the names Charisma or Ultimate in some markets, and in Romania it was known as Techroad.^[109]

Duster "Mat Edition"

A new special edition called the "Mat Edition" was presented at the 2022 Paris Motor Show,^[116] with orders open from the beginning of 2023. The model is distinguished by a special matte gray body colour and is equipped as standard with all available options.^[117] It is powered by the 1.3-litre TCe 150 petrol engine producing 148 bhp (110 kW), mated to an EDC automatic gearbox.^[118]

Discontinuation

The second generation Dacia Duster was removed from the Romanian configurator website in early 2024, production of its replacement starting in late 2023, offering customers the possibility to configure the newly-launched third generation in March of the same year.

It was removed from Dacia's range because of General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR 2) emissions and safety regulations pack.^[119] The car couldn't comply to these regulations packages, due to the fact that it was produced from 2018 with no major changes to the bodywork or the powerplants and the engines at the time were complying with the then-current Euro 6 emission standards, soon to be replaced by new standards requiring Euro 7 by 2025. Production did continue until June, with the stock sold by dealers until July. The last orders were in particular for the stalwart 1.5 dCi diesel engine, as the third generation car did not offer it in the configurator, being replaced by the HYBRID 140 engine used in the Jogger since itself was launched in 2021.

History of development

The design and general technical specifications of the third generation Duster were previewed by the Bigster concept car,^[121] presented on January 14, 2021, during the Renaulution restructuring plan.^[122][123] It has been claimed that 90% of the concept will be similar to the production model.^[124]

In October 2020, Dacia confirmed that it is working on developing a replacement for the second generation Duster.^[125] It has also been reported that the new generation will not have any diesel engine options.^[126] During 2023, multiple camouflaged prototypes were spotted on public roads being tested before the official launch.^[127][128] Also, authorized sources within Dacia stated in June 2023 that production of pre-production models had begun in preparation for mass production.^[129]

The unveiling took place on 29 November 2023 in Portugal,^{[130][131][132]} with a public launch scheduled for the Geneva International Motor Show in February 2024.^[133][134] Prior to this, photos of the exterior and even a promotional trailer were leaked online 2 days before the official introduction.^[135][136]

Orders in Europe opened at the beginning of 2024, with deliveries beginning between May and June 2024.^[137][123]

The third-generation Duster is marketed under the Renault marque in India, Ukraine, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and Egypt^[138][139] The third-generation Duster platform will also spawn many derivatives in different markets, such as a three-row, seven-seater SUV with longer body and wheelbase named the Dacia Bigster, a coupe SUV codenamed C-Neo,^[140][141] and a half-ton pickup truck previewed as the Renault Niagara Concept.^[142][143]

The third-generation was unveiled in India on 26 January 2026 after a 4-year hiatus, since the first generation Duster was sold. The India-spec Duster will come with a strong-hybrid petrol engine. The powertrain pairs a 109hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp hybrid starter generator (HSG), backed by a 1.4kWh (280 V) battery, taking the total system output to 160hp and 172Nm. However, this powertrain will be introduced in India by Diwali 2026.^[144]

The third-generation Duster is also available with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 163hp and 280Nm, as well as a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 100hp and 160Nm. The bigger turbocharged engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DCT, while the smaller engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox only.^[145]

Exterior

Featuring a more rugged and boxier exterior design with a new Y-shaped light signature on the optical units, it was designed under lead designer David Durand.^[146] Also up front is a large plastic skid plate and plastic cladding on the wheel arches,^[146] and the rear door handles are integrated into the C-pillar.^[130][147]

In total, 20% of the plastic used in the Duster III will be recycled, a material called Starkle introduced by the Manifesto concept,^[148] that will have a non-homogeneous composition, not being painted.^[131][149] It will also be larger in size compared to the previous generation.^[150]

Interior

The interior, also inspired by the Bigster, includes a new steering wheel and 10.1-inch central touchscreen, but also for the first time a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.^[149][151] The system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, plus a reversing camera.^[132]

The loading volume of the trunk has increased to 472 lt, 6% more than the old model.^[148] Also in the back, it can be offered with an optional Sleep Pack, which comes with a folding double bed accompanied by a table and storage area.^[131][132]

With the Duster, Dacia is launching a new accessory system called Youclip, composed of a series of square-shaped supports positioned throughout the car, each capable of withstanding around 8 kg (18 lb) of force.^[152][153]

Trim levels

There are four trim levels for the new Duster: Essential, Expression, Journey and Extreme.^[149] The top trim level is the Extreme, which comes with copper-coloured accents on the mirrors, badges and interior pieces.^[131] In Turkey, the new Duster is offered in Evolution and Techno trim levels.

Features

Developed on the CMF-B platform, shared with the Logan, Sandero and Jogger, the third generation is available for the first time with a mild-hybrid and full-hybrid powertrain, along with a bi-fuel option.^[154]

The model will benefit from a new multi-link rear axle (which will be found on the upcoming R5, R4 and Alpine A290) and a new electronic architecture called Sweet 400.^[146] This allows the arrival of the necessary driving aids to comply with the GSR.2 standard that will enter effective 1 July 2024.^[123] It is therefore equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and two-wheeler detection, traffic sign recognition with overspeed alert, lane keep warning and alert, drowsiness monitoring, rear park assist and emergency stop signal, with cruise control/cruise limiter being standard on all versions, as is automatic low-beam headlamps.^[123]

The optional 4×4 version has five selectable driving modes (Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road and Eco) and a ground clearance of up to 217 mm (8.5 in),^[132][149] compared to the 4x2 version which has a lower ground clearance of 209 mm (8.2 in).^[137]

Powertrain

The engines equipped on the Duster, as well as the rest of the Dacia range, will be produced by Horse Romania SA.^[155]

Other models

Along with the LWB Bigster, there are also reports of a pick-up variant (codename H1312) and a coupe variant (codename D1312), both for the South American market.^[161] In September 2025, Dacia announced a new pickup variant for Romania, and a van variant for the UK.^[162]

Nissan Tekton

Nissan Tekton, based on the CM-F platform and sharing underpinnings with the Duster will be released in India markets.^[163]

The name "Tekton" is derived from Greek word meaning "craftsman" or "architect".

It is a successor to the D15 Nissan Kicks sold in India and some other markets.

Safety

Being developed on the Renault CMF architecture, it will offer improved crash safety and driving assistance aids. It will not qualify for a five-star ANCAP rating in Australia.^[164]

More information Test, Points ...

Euro NCAP test results
Dacia Duster 1.6 Hybrid (LHD) (2024)^[165]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	28.1	70%
Child occupant:	41.6	84%
Pedestrian:	38.2	60%
Safety assist:	10.3	57%

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More information Test, Points ...

ANCAP test results
Renault Duster 2WD variants
(2024, aligned with Euro NCAP)^[166]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	28.15	70%
Child occupant:	42.42	86%
Pedestrian:	38.20	60%
Safety assist:	10.46	58%

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Production and sales

Production has been confirmed to start by the end of 2023 at the Mioveni plant,^[167] with sales expected to start by spring 2024. The long-wheelbase variant, the Bigster, will start production at the same plant in 2025, as the head of Dacia Romania stated.^[168]

It has been announced that the model will be offered for sale in Europe, but also under the Renault brand in India (where the first generation was also sold),^[169] and for the first time in Australia from 2025, as confirmed by the managing director of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey.^[164]

Dakar results

More information Year, Class ...

Year	Class	Driver	Co-Driver	Result	Stages
2013	Car	Emiliano Spataro	Benjamín Lozada	DNF	0
		José Francisco García	Mauricio Javier Malano	29th	0
2014	Car	Emiliano Spataro	Benjamín Lozada	14th	0
		José Francisco García	Mauricio Javier Malano	DNF	0
2015	Car	Emiliano Spataro	Benjamín Lozada	21st	0
		José Francisco García	Mauricio Javier Malano	DNF	0
		Fernando Luis Bradach	Roberto Samuel Corvalan	DNF	0
2016	Car	Christian Lavieille	Jean Michel Polato	19th	0
		Emiliano Spataro	Benjamín Lozada	18th	0
		Fernando Luis Bradach	Roberto Samuel Corvalan	DNF	0
2017	Car	Emiliano Spataro	Benjamín Lozada	DNF	0
		Facundo Ardusso	Gerardo Scicolone	22nd	0
2018	Car	Carlos Sousa	Pascal Maimon	DNF	0
		Emiliano Spataro	Santiago Hansen	DNF	0

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