Customer reviews for Dacia Duster

Not a lot

27/7/26

Too many distractions on automated systems which cannot be turned off.

Don't like the electronic handbrake

Don't need to be told to take a break when I have only been driving for a short time

Don't need a beep every time speed limit changes or I exceed limit by 1 or 2 mph

Don't like most of the enforced driver assistance features or that I have to set "my personal safety" every time I get in the car

Don't like not having a proper spare wheel

Automatic closure of boot by button press would be useful

Don't like constantly having warning to check tyres when every time I do there is no need and I just have to reset.

Don't like the hard suspension, my previous Duster gave a much better ride.

Don't like the rubber mats, old style were much better

Don't like not having a hard copy of the manual provided

All in all for a top of the range model I have found it to be a great disappointment, especially after the previous model which I got in 2023 and which I wish I still had.

28/7/26

Following Dacia's reply to my review above, which I did not find helpful, I would like to add that I also do not like the rear door handles which are awkward to operate, however, the flap for the petrol tank access is an improvement. While I accept the odd dislike I have mentioned would become apparent in a test drive most only revealed just how irritating they are after I had owned and driven the car for a while so I do not agree that most would have been apparent from a short test drive. Having owned, and liked, my previous Duster I didn't expect upgrading would be the issue it has turned in to for me. Generally my Dacia's, both Sandero Stepway and the previous Duster, have been great hence my added disappointment this time

3/8/26

Dacia have again asked if their response after my addition to my review was helpful. I can only say that since the second response was identical to the first response they sent I did not find it at all helpful.

Unfortunately not a very good start to Dacia ownership. Within 6 weeks or so of purchasing it new it broke down on holiday and had to be recovered to the dealer. Some 6 weeks later the dealer is still waiting for a replacement part and at the moment all the reasons i bought it for have evaporated.

On the plus side the Renault / Dacia recovery service has been excellent together with the provision of a

loan car in the meantime.

Not as good as my 2023 duster.

The drive is quite smooth. But everything seems cramped together. I’m tall and I’ve had to change my usual driving position because when the seat is fully back there is no room behind for passengers. The front passenger seat doesn’t go back far enough for my comfort when the wife drives. The windscreen is too narrow and there are too many blind spots. The boot space didn’t need to be so much at the expense of room in the back. The rear seatbelt sockets disappear into the seat every time you try to use them. Connecting to my phone is hit and miss. The maps app is totally useless. The usb reader software is not user friendly. The speed indicator on the display reads 2 mph faster than actual speed and personally for me the buttons on the steering wheel should be nearer the centre as I sometimes accidentally push them whilst using the wheel. As I said it’s a smooth ride and it handles well probably better suited for city driving more than motorways.

I just need a car to get me from A to B. We needed a vehicle with high ground clearance for the roads around where we live. For these points the Duster is fine. Being a short person I feel that the back 'boot door' goes up too high. I have to really stretch to reach the door to bring it down. The vehicle is nifty when needed. I would have liked a 'hand book' with the vehicle. Yes I can down load one, but it is not IN the car when needed. And a CD player believe it or not.... Like all new vehicles it is a plastic box on wheels, with a lot of electrical gizmos that can go wrong. You get what you pay for, this is not a cheap car to buy. But so far......five months.......it is getting me from A to B. thankyou.

The car is great, a nice drive although I would say when running on petrol (I have the 155 hybrid) it does sound a little noisy. A self closing boot would be nice most of the SUV I see have this function. A full user manual should be supplied with the car, I had to buy this separately. No oil change at the first service, I think this is a mistake, just a pollen filter, which after 1 year I'm sure does not need changing. Dealership at Canterbury was great but the parking facilities are abysmal. I just hope all the gizmos are still working in years to come, I plan to keep this car for at least 20 years so I don't want trouble, a car is always great when new but what is it like after 10 years or more?

It is a great vehicle,.especially for the family, drivetrain works flawlessly great on fuel, comfortable and rugged, weaknesses are the material on centre arm rest and top of door cards where the window switches are it doesn't look like it will hold up well, the interior can be rattly which should be an easy fix in manufacture I didn't expect that after 3 months usage and I think the spare wheel kit could be improved in terms of the foam spacer used for boot floor something more substantial and load bearing would suit a vehicle like this I was surprised with what I saw, understand the wheel takes loads as well.

I decided to go for the top spec duster hybrid. I am very please overall but with a few areas for improvement.

Pros

Very smooth to drive

Lot of spec for the money

Cheap to insure

Good mpg

Powerful engine

Lots of boot space

Cons

Seats can be uncomfortable for long drives

Engine over revs to charge the hybrid battery, even during idle. A bit confusing considering it charges when using the brakes

Not a great deal of space in the back seats, front seats need to be moved a lot to make room.

The new Duster is well built and easy to drive. I am pleased that the wing mirrors now fold in when locked as this was not the case with my previous Duster. The one thing I don't like is the lane control as it seems to take over the stearing when you least expect it, particularly on country roads that are not well marked. I have tried to turn this off but it seems to reset itself each time.