• Attractive, easy-to-use dashboard
• Touchscreen media system is acceptable
• Many design cues borrowed from pricier cars

How’s the quality and layout?

The Duster provides a spacious interior with far more equipment than you’d expect for the money. The layout is easy to fathom with clear and easy to use physical controls for the heating, for instance, although even top spec models feel durable rather than plush.

You won’t find loads of soft touch plastics or expensive trims, but all the hard plastic bits are well screwed together and there’s padding for your elbows. Higher spec trims get a few little bits and pieces to help lift the ambience, although it’s certainly a case of you get what you pay for.

Finally, for those choosing a Duster Bi-Fuel, other than the switch to change between LPG and petrol, there’s no difference between this and a standard Duster. It’s a simple press of the button to switch between the two, and the amount of gas in the tank is indicated by the number of lights illuminated. Simple, but effective.

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Infotainment and tech

Considering that the Duster costs a fraction of more desirable premium alternatives, Dacia has made a savvy move by nabbing some of their design elements. Only Essential trim does without a touchscreen infotainment system although even this entry-level model gets Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Wheel-mounted audio controls make it simple to tune the radio, jump tracks or change the volume, while the touchscreen media system from Comfort trim and up is easy to use and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. If you want sat nav, you’ll need at least Prestige.

The screen is mounted a bit lower in the dash than we’d like, yet proves responsive and easy to navigate. The graphics are also rather simplistic and resolution not the highest.

Comfort

• Supportive seats and good driving position
• Adequate space in both rows of seats
• Reasonably quiet on the move

Considering the price, Dacia Duster comfort levels are very good. The seats play a leading role in this, offering much greater support than the previous Duster. They provide better support for your lower back and reasonable side bolstering, so you won’t fall out of them in the corners.

As a budget car, the Duster does feel more basic inside than a number of rivals, though. Dacia has done a good job of boosting the amount of sound deadening compared with its predecessor considering the modest price hike.

Consequently, the Duster feels far more refined on the road than you’d expect for such an inexpensive car, with not much engine noise from the smaller petrol engines and little wind noise.

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