Dacia Duster TCe 150: Inexpensive entry-level

When it comes to alternative drive systems, most automakers tear themselves out to end up with customers. Plug-in hybrid, electric drive or are you already dreaming of hydrogen? At Dacia, you only have a tired smile for that, because a plug doesn’t play a role for the French. An alternative drive, called LPG, and this variant is also available at no extra charge to the normal 90 hp petrol engine. This is very well received by customers in this segment and in the price range from 12,000 to 18,000 euros.

However, this drive package is not really new and so the most important innovation in the refreshed Duster is that the 150-hp top-of-the-range petrol engine can now also be ordered with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. This engine-gearbox combination is likely to enjoy great popularity, especially in Central Europe, but has the disadvantage that it is currently available as a front-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive version is left out for the time being, even though the Dacia Duster has an all-wheel drive share of almost 30 percent worldwide despite its favorable price position. Many markets are even significantly higher. The diesel is also still very popular with Dacia customers, because here too there are almost 30 percent worldwide who want to move a diesel engine in their entry-level crossover. In the case of other models, the share of sales is even over 40 percent. According to the Dacia product manager, there is currently no great demand for plug-in hybrids or even an electric drive and you only want to act if legal requirements or customers demand it.

Everyone who is interested has to decide for themselves whether it has to be the 150-hp variant of the 1.3-liter cylinder quartet or a cheaper entry-level model. In any case, the Dacia Duster TCe 150 is motorized quickly and the combination with the six-speed dual clutch transmission works well because the gear changes take place discreetly in the background without the driver having to intervene. The maximum torque of 250 Nm ensures that the front-wheel drive vehicle, which weighs just under 1.4 tons, pulls through the lower speed ranges and always accelerates quickly. The engine sound remains largely in the background despite the moderate noise isolation and only sounds annoying when you turn off the charged four-cylinder. With a standard consumption of 5.4 liters of super per 100 kilometers, the double coupler is more than half a liter more economical than the 150 hp variant with all-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission. Even the 130 hp petrol engine with the same engine consumes more. The top speed of the TCe 150: an impressive 199 km / h, with the front-wheel drive car accelerating from standstill to 100 km / h in 9.7 seconds.

When it comes to the chassis, however, the Dacia Duster shows its weaknesses, because the springing is slightly bumpy, especially on the front axle on bumpy roads, and the steering is much too smooth, without giving any noteworthy feedback from the road surface. The high center of gravity and the bumpy damping also put the crossover in distress when cornering quickly and so the 4.34 meter long cheap SUV has to struggle with noticeable rolling movements. If you slow down the pace on the country road and take it easy, you will quickly appreciate this.

Hardly anything has changed in the interior as a result of the revision. The chairs have new covers, but the seat is short and the travel comfort is too mediocre. On the passenger side, because of the lack of height adjustment, you sit like on an upturned beer menu. In the area of ​​the seats, improvements should not only be made for tall people, because smaller people also miss lateral support, contouring and tight upholstery. The new navigation system is not really convincing despite the simple operation and so you should simply mirror your own smartphone on the eight-inch touchscreen. The Dacia Duster is also not on the level of its little brother Sandero, who can shine more here, when it comes to instruments, panels or controls.

In terms of price, the Dacia Duster and the TCe 90 variant start unchanged at 11,990 euros. In the second equipment version, the 90-hp petrol engine costs just as much at 13,190 euros as the 100-hp Eco-G variant with LPG. The 150-horsepower gasoline engine in combination with the dual clutch transmission costs at least 20,190 euros and thus 2,400 euros more than the 130-horsepower gasoline engine with manual transmission in the chic Prestige equipment variant. There are LED headlights, screen navigation, six airbags and keyless entry, among other things. But it stays as it is: with the Dacia Duster, which is still sold as Renault Duster in some markets such as Russia or South America, the low price makes the music. And almost everyone likes it.