Dacia Duster
Best SUV for those looking for a bargain
Pros: Neat and clever interior, Hybrid efficiency, handy off road and sweet on it
Cons: Wind and powertrain noise, boosty petrol, lumpy manual, cosy rear space
The Duster is a huge success story, and the next generation continues the charm and incredible value of the model. There’s been a complete exterior and interior rethink, with the generation now deploying the brand’s fresh new design language. There are more reused materials too, with 20 per cent of all the car’s plastics now coming from recycled sources.
On top of that, the Duster moves from Renault-Nissan’s rather creaky B platform (which has been used since the likes of the K12 Nissan Micra and third-generation Renault Clio) onto the much newer CMF-B architecture, bringing along new powertrain options (like a Hybrid) and promising much refreshed dynamics.
The interior is neat, the powertrains are modern and efficient, it handles deftly on the road and manages to be impressively good off it. The boot is bigger than before, and the base tech it offers is useful and unobtrusive.
Older Dusters have been desirable because they’ve been great value for money. But this one is desirable full stop.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Further buying advice
What is a 4×4 vehicle?
In theory, 4x4s refer to cars that power all four wheels, but in reality the 4×4 tag has been associated with anything designed for off-road use. With that in mind, something like a new or old Defender, or an Ineos Grenadier could be classed as a 4×4. They are also all varying sizes but usually offer an increased ride-height, a necessary feature to deal with
What does SUV stand for?
SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle and it tends refer to a high, spacious vehicle usually designed with space in mind. Increasingly, though, many SUVs also cater to those wanting a focus performance and luxury – or a combination of both. Some 4x4s, such as the Mercedes G-Class are often considered as SUVs for the reasons above.
What’s the difference between and SUV and a 4×4?
In contrast, an SUV or Sports Utility Vehicle, is more of an all-rounder. They may sit high and often they’re given a robust look, but SUVs aren’t necessarily designed for off-road use.
What about hybrid or electric SUVs?
On this page we’ve collated a our favourite SUVs overall, but we’ve also ranked our favourite electric SUVs and hybrid SUVs separately too.
