Design driven: the functional yet fun Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster is a pretty accomplished off-roader that will appeal to outdoorsy types and young families on a budget
Credit to the Dacia press team, they know their brand. While some carmakers whisk journalists off to exotic climbs to test drive their cars, Dacia chose a disused quarry in Derbyshire. An inspired choice to CDN’s mind, not least because the editor is a former stonemason and still has a soft spot for rocks. The location proved the perfect spot to demonstrate the pretty handy off-roading skills of the new Duster.
On arrival, it looked like CDN had unwittingly gatecrashed the set of MASH. A khaki tent pitched into the flinty earth, which, at the risk of overdoing the army references, seemed best-suited to briefing the Desert Rats rather than a bunch of motoring journos. It felt apposite, nevertheless. The backdrop is about as epic as it gets in England: a warm-hued canyon of earth and rock at the bottom of which rests a pool of water, unknowably deep.
The assemblage of Dusters at hand come in three paint finishes: deep red, grey/silver and best of all a camo green, which, when driven in convoy as they are today, feel the equal of latter-day Willys Jeeps.
It goes without saying, the Duster is no Willys. Nor Jeep Wrangler. But it does not pretend to be. The stubby SUV is aimed at customers that might venture up a muddy track or park in a sodden field at a festival without worrying about: a) splattering the paintwork b) getting stuck c) both. That said, with the 4x4 engaged and some gentle coaxing, the Duster handles all the obstacles placed in its way: from straddling water-filled trenches and semi-immersion in a giant yellowy-brown puddle, to steepish gradients and loose surfaces. Thank the Renault Group’s CMF-B platform, which also underpins the Clio, Nissan Juke, Jogger and Sandero, for that.
Parked at the bottom of the quarry, surrounded by a sheer rock face and flooded basin, the Duster’s rugged looks and green paint finish play beautifully off the backdrop. The light catches the sculpted rear haunches in pleasing ways, highlighting the quiet muscularity of the design. This strength is only enhanced by the application of mottled-black faring above the wheel-arches and flanks that join with underbody shields: the patented Starkle material. Skid plates below the bumpers protect the underside.
Indeed, when it comes to materials, the brand has kicked chrome and leather into touch, clearly these are too trad for the new consumer – quibbles over whether new materials are any more eco-friendly than the old ones, aside. As a misty rain sets in, the Y-shaped DRL and illuminated Janus-headed logo distinguishes the Duster from everything else on the road.
The Duster is an easy-going companion, even with the manual gearbox which suits the analogue nature of the car’s overall design. The engine is potent enough to make decent progress, if a little buzzy, but this is offset somewhat by the cushioning ride. If you want a super-smooth powerplant, supple handling and a distinctive look, you’ll need to move up a segment.
The interior is almost architectural in its form, particularly the door panels, which repeat the light signature and, in this context, have the appearance of a cross-brace. The IP is defined by strong horizontal lines, which organises the air vents and switches. As always, the screen is the most problematic element and here it feels as if it has been clipped on after the IP was installed, despite it being gently angled towards the driver.
It is not a premium environment, no one expects that, but the wipe-down surfaces convey a robust, family-friendly functionality. Ditto the interior fabric that comes, in this model, with a natty stitching and contrasting two-tone materials.
The clip-on aspect, however, does represent a stronger proposition in terms of human machine interface (HMI). Dacia drivers have access to an array of modular “YouClip” accessories: smartphone holder; magnetic torch; movable cupholder; boot hook (to dangle hiking footwear) and knitted pouch among some of the options. That said, CDN struggled to work the phone holder – the vice-like clamp spat the phone out a couple of times. Still, the Duster is very convincing: surprisingly capable off-road and on-road, functional and interesting enough in terms of design to appeal to fans of the brand and a new wave of customers.