The Maths are getting better, the new refreshed Dacia Duster, even better value for money.

• Styling and trim upgrades with no increase in prices
• The UK’s most affordable SUV
• New grilles, roof bars, upholstery and tailgate trim across the range
• New metallic colour options for top two trim grades
• Two engines, three trim levels and two- or four-wheel drive
• Range pricing starts at “shockingly affordable” £9,495

The ever-popular Dacia Duster benefits from a package of styling and trim upgrades for the 2015 Model Year, but with no increase in the brand’s no-nonsense, “shockingly affordable” pricing.

The line-up continues to consist of two- and four-wheel-drive models based on three trim levels and two engines. The entry-level Access is powered by a 105 hp 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol engine, while the mid-range Ambiance and top-grade Lauréate versions have a 107 hp (109 hp on 4x4 versions) 1.5-litre dCi 110 turbodiesel power unit. Prices start at less than £9,500 for the two-wheel-drive Access model and under £11,500 for the four-wheel-drive version.

New for 2015 is a more stylish chrome front grille made up of two layers of four small intakes surrounding the Dacia logo. All versions now have ‘Duster’ branded roof bars – chromed on Lauréate models. At the rear, a black tailgate trim with ‘Duster’ branding sits above the number plate. Lauréate versions have smart new Tyrol 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and dark metal door mirror casings. Five new metallic colours – Mercury, Khaki, Pearl Black, Slate Grey and Cinnamon – replace the previous choices as alternatives to solid Glacier White on the Ambiance and Lauréate.

There is new upholstery and seats for every model. Access versions are finished in Hassium cloth, Ambiance in Osmium cloth and Lauréate in Rhodium cloth with ‘Duster’ lettering.  An Emergency Spare Wheel now becomes a £150 option on all 4x2 versions and remains standard on 4x4 models.

The range structure is the same as before. Highlights on Access models are 16-inch Eiger steel wheels, remote locking, a Thatcham-approved engine immobiliser, electric front windows, anti-lock brakes with Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control, a Tyre Pressure Monitor, four airbags, an ECO driving mode and gearshift indicator and a four-speed heating and ventilation system.  Body-coloured bumpers, black door handles and Duster-branded roof bars and bumpers are all standard. Glacier White is the sole colour. The 4x4 version has a centre differential lock with 2WD, Auto and Lock modes.

Ambiance versions add Matterhorn 16-inch steel wheels, satin chrome door handles, a chrome gearlever insert and instrument surrounds, a radio/CD player with AUX and USB sockets and Bluetooth, front foglights, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a 60:40 split rear seat.

Topping the range are the Lauréate models with 16-inch Tyrol alloys, manual air conditioning, electric mirrors and rear windows, cruise control with a speed limiter, a seven-function trip computer, a glovebox light, a passenger vanity mirror and body coloured door handles, satin chrome Duster-branded roof bars, scuff plates and side sills. Also standard are piano black interior door handles, door and steering wheel inserts and centre console surround, a leather-covered steering wheel and map pockets in the front seat backs.

Dacia has been Europe’s fastest-growing automotive brand for eight years in a row. The Duster is the most affordable SUV on the UK market – and has been since it came to the UK in mid-2012.  Production of Right Hand Drive UK-bound Dusters was originally at the Chennai plant in India and, with the advent of New Duster, has moved closer to its British end customers to Dacia’s home plant of Pitesti in Romania.

The model has claimed a stack of awards in the UK, Europe and India and has established an immensely loyal following, not least because of pricing and specification which is more in tune with that for a car from the class below.

The Duster is covered by Dacia’s standard three-year/60,000 mile mechanical  warranty plus two-year paint and six-year anti-corrosion guarantees.  

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Model	Power (hp @ rpm)	Torque (Nm @ rpm)	0-62mph (sec)	Top speed (mph)
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x2	105 @ 5750	148 @ 3750	11.5	104
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x4	105 @ 5750	148 @ 3750	12.8	99
Ambiance dCi 110 4x2	107 @ 4000	240 @ 1750	11.8	106
Ambiance dCi 110 4x4	109 @ 4000	240 @ 1750	12.5	104
Lauréate dCi 110 4x2	107 @ 4000	240 @ 1750	11.8	106
Lauréate dCi 110 4x4	109 @ 4000	240 @ 1750	12.5	104

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

Model	MPG	CO2 (g/km)	BIK (band %)	VED (band)	Insurance group
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x2	39.8	165	26%	G	6E
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x4	35.3	185	30%	I	5E
Ambiance dCi 110 4x2	56.5	130	22%	D	10A
Ambiance dCi 110 4x4	53.3	135	23%	E	10A
Lauréate dCi 110 4x2	56.5	130	22%	D	11A
Lauréate dCi 110 4x4	53.3	135	23%	E	10A

RANGE PRICING

Model	Price (On The Road)
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x2	£9,495
Access 1.6 16V 105 4x4	£11,495
Ambiance dCi 110 4x2	£11,995
Ambiance dCi 110 4x4	£13,995
Lauréate dCi 110 4x2	£13,495
Lauréate dCi 110 4x4	£15,495

PACK OPTIONS

• MediaNav – £300.  Available on Lauréate
• Adventurer Pack – £445. Available on Access, Ambiance, Lauréate
• Leather Pack – £995. Available on Ambiance, Lauréate
• Protection Pack – £595. Available on Access, Ambiance, Lauréate
• Styling Pack – £655. Available onAccess, Ambiance, Lauréate
• Touring Pack – £555. Available onAccess, Ambiance, Lauréate