Dacia Duster III (2023 – 2025)

Reliability score : 8.2/10

Dacia Duster III (2024+): The CMF-B Revolution and the End of an Era The third-generation Dacia Duster (internal code P1310) represents a massive leap forward for the Romanian brand. Moving to the modern Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform, it gains significant improvements in structural rigidity, crash safety, and driving dynamics, while adopting a much more aggressive, concept-car-like design (inspired by the Bigster). CRITICAL NOTE REGARDING DIESEL: You requested a focus on the diesel engine. As an independent expert, I must emphasize a major paradigm shift: The Dacia Duster III DOES NOT offer a diesel engine. To meet stringent Euro 6e/Euro 7 emissions and CAFE targets, Dacia has permanently retired the legendary 1.5 dCi (K9K) for this generation globally. For buyers who traditionally relied

✅ Strengths

Exceptional exterior design, looking much more expensive than it is.
CMF-B platform brings modern driving dynamics and better crash safety.
The 1.2 TCe 130 4x4 offers genuine off-road capability with specific terrain modes.
ECO-G 100 remains the ultimate budget-friendly high-mileage champion.
Introduction of modern tech (digital cluster, YouClip accessory system).

⚠️ Weaknesses

ABSOLUTE LACK OF DIESEL: Alienates traditional agricultural, towing, and fleet buyers.
No automatic transmission available for the 4x4 version (Manual only).
Interior materials remain hard, scratchy plastics (expected at this price, but notable).
Hybrid 140 version is quite expensive, pushing the Duster into a higher price bracket.
Wind noise is still present at highway speeds (120+ km/h) due to the boxy design.

🎯 Verdict

Final Verdict The Dacia Duster III is a triumph in design and packaging, successfully transitioning to a modern architecture. However, for the diesel-focused buyer, it represents a hard stop. If you wanted a diesel for low running costs, the ECO-G 100 (LPG) is actually a superior alternative today: fuel is cheaper, emissions are lower, and reliability is stellar. If you wanted a diesel for towing and off-roading, the TCe 130 4x4 is your only choice. It provides adequate torque thanks to the 48V electric assist, but it will consume significantly more fuel under heavy load than the old 1.5 dCi. Recommendation: BUY the Duster III if you can adapt to LPG or Mild-Hybrid. If your livelihood or lifestyle absolutely demands a diesel engine, you must pivot to a low-mileage 2023 Duster II 1.5 Blue dCi before they disappear from the used market.