The Dacia Duster II (also marketed as the Renault Duster in Latin America, Russia, and the Middle East) is a pragmatic, budget-friendly compact SUV that builds upon the massive success of its predecessor. Introduced in late 2017, it retained the rugged B0 platform but featured completely redesigned exterior body panels, vastly improved interior ergonomics, better soundproofing, and upgraded technology (including blind-spot monitoring and a multi-view camera). A mid-cycle facelift in 2021 brought Y-shaped LED signatures, an updated 8-inch infotainment system, and the return of the EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission. While it remains a low-cost vehicle with hard interior plastics and a modest 3-star Euro NCAP safety rating, its unbeatable value-for-money, proven Renault-sourced powertrai
The Dacia Duster II is a brilliant utilitarian SUV that democratized access to rugged, practical motoring. If you are specifically looking for a diesel, the 1.5 dCi is a fantastic workhorse, offering great torque and incredible fuel efficiency. However, you must be extremely cautious with the Blue dCi versions (post-2018) due to the widespread and costly AdBlue tank failures. If you buy a Blue dCi, try to find one that has already had its AdBlue tank replaced under warranty, and ensure your driving profile includes regular highway runs to keep the DPF clean. If you don't strictly need a diesel, the 1.3 TCe is the best engine in the lineup for performance, while the 1.0 TCe ECO-G (LPG) is the ultimate choice for low running costs. Absolutely avoid the 1.2 TCe.