WHAT VAN ? - The Duster from Dacia wins for the second year running as best 4x4 van.

• Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 wins ‘Best 4x4 Van’ for second consecutive year
• Robust commercial SUV praised for its grip, ruggedness and affordability
• Priced from £10,095 (excl. VAT) – Duster is the most affordable new commercial SUV in the UK

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has been named ‘Best 4x4 Van’ for the second consecutive year at the What Van? Awards 2017 at an awards ceremony held in London this afternoon.

Based on the popular Dacia Duster compact SUV, and launched at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015, the Duster Commercial 4x4 was praised by judges for its off-road capability, driving style and value for money. 

The Duster Commercial offers the perfect package for many tradesmen – based on the passenger car version of the vehicle yet with a 1,604-litre maximum load capacity and cost benefits thanks to its classification as an LCV.

James Dallas, Editor, What Van? said: “The versatile Dacia Duster Commercial, which retains the award from last year, is an excellent value for money proposition for operators who need to tackle tricky conditions such as icy or muddy tracks.”

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “It’s great to see the Duster Commercial 4x4 again holding its own in this category. The Duster Commercial 4x4 applies the Dacia philosophy to LCVs – providing a no-nonsense solution to businesses looking for an affordable and reliable vehicle that’s also capable of being rugged and heading off-road when needed.”

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has a flat load area in lieu of rear seats and a payload of 550kg. Available in two different trim levels – Ambiance and Lauréate – the Duster Commercial 4x4 receives Bluetooth connectivity, electric front windows and a heated rear screen even on entry level versions. The Lauréate version adds features such as cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, air conditioning and electric heated door mirrors. 

The Duster Commercial is offered with one business-oriented diesel engine – the dCi 110 unit, the best-selling Groupe Renault diesel powertrain, either as a 4x2 or a robust, go-anywhere 4x4. The 4x2 dCi 110 returns up to 64.2mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO₂ emissions as low as 115 g/km and is available from £10,095 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance entry level trim. Meanwhile, the 4x4 dCi 110 returns up to 60.1mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO₂ emissions as low as 123 g/km and is available from £11,795 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance trim.

Dacia offers a comprehensive selection of low-priced option packs to help owners secure payloads and protect their vehicle during a life of hard work. There is a choice of steel or mesh bulkheads between the passenger and cargo areas; privacy film for the tailgate window and mudguards.

The What Van? Awards are decided by the expert editorial panel of What Van? Magazine, calling on their combined decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle industry. The What Van? Awards seek to reward the best products, companies and services in the industry for their ability to make life easier, cleaner, safer and more efficient for light commercial vehicle operators in the UK.