• Basic, utilitarian cabin
• But that means it’s easy to clean
• Surprisingly comfortable given its price

How is the quality and layout?

The Mk1 Dacia Duster is a cheap and cheerful. But what do you expect? It was a budget car when it was new. The plastics are low quality, feel hard to touch and will scratch in time. However, this means you can muck the cabin out with a damp rag and a handheld vacuum cleaner.

You can’t escape the cheapness, though – and you’re likely to be disappointed if you’re downsizing from a slightly more premium family SUV such as a Ford Kuga or a Mk1 MINI Countryman. Even the parcel shelf feels flimsy.

There are some daft ergonomic oversights, too. When you have the handbrake in the off position it prevents you from accessing the controls for the door mirrors. Granted, this isn’t a deal breaker, but it is an irritation.

Comfort

• Pliant and comfortable ride
• Seats could be more supportive
• Refinement is lacking

The original Dacia Duster is quite comfortable considering its price. Its suspension soaks up all but the worst potholes, which means you’ll still feel relatively refreshed after long motorway journeys.

The seats leave a little to be desired, though. Side bolstering and lumbar support could be better on the front seats – it’s here where you’ll feel the difference between the Duster and the equivalent Ford or Nissan the most. There’s ample space to spread out, though. Whether you are travelling in the front or rear there is plenty of head- and legroom for six footers.

We found another downside when we tested the car. It isn’t very well insulated, especially around the door seals. This means that wind, road and engine noise are all quite loud when travelling at motorway speeds.