2021 Dacia Duster on sale now for £13,995

• Three trims levels available
• Refreshed interior with new eight-inch infotainment system
• On sale now from £13,995

This is the facelifted Dacia Duster SUV. It’s on sale now for £13,995 and features refreshed styling and in-car tech, including a new eight-inch infotainment screen. First deliveries are expected in September this year.

The Romanian brand has refreshed the SUV’s styling and introduced a range of new convenience and safety systems, all while retaining the car’s budget price tag. This should keep the Duster competitive with rivals such as the MG ZS.

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2021 Dacia Duster: trims, specifications and prices

Keeping the range structure as simple as possible, the new Dacia Duster can be had in three trim levels and customers can only choose from two optional extras across the range: a spare wheel costing £250 and metallic paint, for an additional £595.

The entry-level Essential model rides on 16-inch steel wheels and gets LED daytime automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights and black roof bars as standard. It’s also equipped with cruise control, air-conditioning and DAB radio.

If buyers spend an additional £1,500, they can step up to the mid-range Comfort spec. This adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and black mirror caps. It also has front fog lights, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors and hill descent control.

Upgrades over the outgoing model continue inside with upgraded upholstery, electric review windows and a leather steering wheel. Drivers will also benefit from adjustable lumbar support and a rear-view camera with parking sensors. The interior of the Comfort model is also equipped with the brand’s new eight-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition.

The range-topping Prestige, meanwhile, is priced at £16,695 and gets larger, 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and model-specific exterior styling features such as Grey Quartz door mirrors and roof bars.

The Prestige gets more tech, such as keyless entry, automatic air-conditioning and heated front seats. A multi-view camera replaces the Comfort’s standard camera and adds front parking sensors with a blind-spot warning system. It also features sat-nav with wireless smartphone connectivity.

Engines and performance 

There are minor updates to the Dacia’s engine lineup. The range starts with the brand’s 89bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder TCe 90 petrol engine, which is followed by the 128bhp 1.3-litre four-cylinder TCe 130. The two come with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. 

The range-topping TCe 150 model is a 148bhp version of the same 1.3-lite petrol engine that features in the TCe 130. While also front-wheel drive, it’s only available with Dacia’s new six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

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Dacia is still offering a diesel option: a 113bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder dCi 115. The diesel engine is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox by default but buyers can choose whether they want front or four-wheel drive. 

Dacia has also confirmed it will continue to offer the Duster as a Bi-Fuel car, which means it can run on LPG or petrol. The setup is based on the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox but produces slightly more power at 99bhp. The difference, however, is that the Duster will now be fitted with a larger gas tank and, when fuelled with petrol and LPG, boasts a range of more than 760 miles. 

Interior and technology

The Duster’s interior redesign is more noticeable than the tech upgrades. It introduces a new centre console comprising a pair of USB sockets and a retractable armrest with a 1.1-litre storage compartment. The seats are also trimmed in new upholstery and feature slimmer headrests to allow for better visibility. 

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Dacia is promoting more standard equipment across all variants, with the entire range featuring a speed limiter, automatic beam activation and a trip computer display. One of the key upgrades inside the cabin is the brand’s new eight-inch infotainment system. On the four-wheel-drive models, the 4x4 Monitor displays an altimeter, inclinometer and compass information via the dashboard display. 

Styling 

Although changes to the Duster’s exterior aren’t drastic, you’ll be able to tell it apart from its predecessor by a new radiator grille and rear spoiler. It also carries over the Y-shaped LED daytime running lights found on the new Sandero and sits on redesigned alloy wheels, available in 16 or 17-inch sizes. 

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According to Dacia, the tweaks to the Duster’s body make it slightly more aerodynamic. Along with new tyres to help improve efficiency, the new SUV emits almost 6g/km less in CO2 over the outgoing model in four-wheel drive guise.

Read our review of the outgoing Dacia Duster or find out more about the brand’s forthcoming Bigster SUV.