Dacia Duster 2019 review
Overview
When the second-generation Dacia Duster went on sale in the UK in the summer of 2018, with UK order books opening on 11 June and deliveries from July, it kept the badge's famous trump card: a £9,995 on-the-road starting price that made it the cheapest SUV in Britain — less than most city cars. The new model replaced the original Duster of 2013 with a chunkier, more grown-up design, a completely reworked interior and quieter refinement, while keeping the value-for-money formula that had made its predecessor a cult hit.
In 2019 the engine range broadened. Alongside the launch 1.6 SCe 115 petrol and 1.5 dCi 115 diesel (both 115hp, manual gearbox), Dacia added the Renault-developed 1.3-litre TCe turbo petrol in two states of tune: the TCe 130 with 128bhp and 177 lb-ft, doing 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds with a 119mph top speed, and the TCe 150 with 148bhp, reaching 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds and 124mph flat out (Autocar). Quoted WLTP economy was 41.5mpg for the TCe 130, 43.5mpg for the 1.6 SCe 4x2, 40.7mpg for the SCe 4x4, and an impressive 64.2mpg combined for the diesel. CO2 ranged from 115g/km (diesel) to around 149-158g/km (SCe petrol) and 137g/km for the TCe engines. Four-wheel drive was available with the SCe petrol from launch, and with the TCe 130 and TCe 150 from mid-2019, plus the diesel; 4x4 added roughly £1,700 (Parkers).
UK buyers chose from four trims — Access, Essential, Comfort and Prestige — priced at launch from £9,995, £11,595, £13,195 and £14,395 respectively (Dacia UK). Even the base Access came with LED daytime running lights, stop-start, full-length curtain airbags, ESC and ISOFIX, while Essential added air conditioning, DAB radio and Bluetooth; Comfort brought the 7-inch MediaNav touchscreen with sat-nav, rear parking camera and sensors, and alloy wheels; Prestige added 17-inch diamond-cut alloys, a multi-view camera, blind-spot warning, climate control and keyless entry. The boot swallowed 445 litres in front-drive form and 376 litres with 4x4. Safety was the known compromise: the Duster scored three stars in Euro NCAP testing in December 2017, with 71 per cent adult occupant protection and 66 per cent child protection, losing marks for the absence of modern driver aids such as autonomous emergency braking; the rating later expired under Euro NCAP's review cycle but remains a fair like-for-like benchmark for a car of this age.
In 2026 the 2019 Duster is one of the keenest-value used family SUVs: dealer listings put typical examples between about £5,000 for high-mileage diesels and around £9,000-£10,000 for low-mileage TCe 130 cars, with most sitting in the £6,000-£8,500 band depending on mileage, spec and history. The 1.5 dCi has a timing belt, so on diesel cars check the service book for a belt change done to schedule; the 1.3 TCe is chain-driven. Inspect high-mileage diesels for DPF health after years of short town runs, look for underside corrosion, test every electric — Parkers notes the wiring loom and horn/indicators can suffer on Dusters — and listen for gearbox clunks or a sticking clutch pedal on the test drive. Check the DVSA recall database: the relevant UK recall for this build period is R/2020/307 (ignition switch key jamming, build dates September 2017 to October 2018), with free dealer rectification. A full dealer service history and a fresh MOT matter more than the badge on this car.
UK price from: £9,995
Specifications
| Engine | 1.3-litre TCe turbocharged petrol, 128bhp (130), 177 lb-ft |
| Engine options | 1.6 SCe 115 petrol; 1.3 TCe 130/150 petrol; 1.5 dCi 115 diesel; 1.5 Blue dCi 95/115 diesel |
| 0-62 mph | 11.1 seconds (TCe 130); 10.4 seconds 0-60mph (TCe 150) |
| Top speed | 119 mph (TCe 130); 124 mph (TCe 150) |
| Transmission | 5/6-speed manual (no automatic on UK 2019 cars) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive; 4x4 available on SCe 115, TCe 130/150 and diesel |
| Fuel economy | 41.5 mpg WLTP (TCe 130); 43.5 mpg (SCe 4x2); 64.2 mpg (diesel) |
| CO2 emissions | 115 g/km (diesel); 137 g/km (TCe); 149-158 g/km (SCe petrol) |
| Boot space | 445 litres (4x2); 376 litres (4x4) |
| Insurance group | Group 11 (SCe 115); Group 14 (TCe 130 Comfort) |
| Euro NCAP | 3 stars (December 2017 test) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles (UK) |
Features
- 7-inch MediaNav touchscreen with satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB/AUX on Comfort trim and above
- Rear parking camera with rear parking sensors (Comfort and above)
- Multi-view 360-degree camera system on Prestige trim
- Blind-spot warning, automatic headlights and cruise control (Prestige; cruise on Comfort)
- Climate control and keyless entry on Prestige
- Hill descent control and hill start assist for 4x4 versions
- Full-length curtain airbags, ESC, ISOFIX rear anchor points and emergency brake assist across the range
- 16-inch alloy wheels (Comfort), 17-inch diamond-cut alloys (Prestige); emergency spare wheel as an option
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £28 | Pattern part; check pad fitment against engine and trim before ordering |
| Engine oil filter | £9 | Pattern part; filter type differs between 1.3 TCe and 1.5 dCi — check engine code |
| Engine air filter | £14 | Pattern part; straightforward DIY item on all 2019 engines |
| Timing belt kit (1.5 dCi only) | £95 | The diesel uses a belt (1.3 TCe is chain-driven); have the scheduled change recorded in the service book |
| Clutch kit | £220 | Pattern part; inspect for a sticking or jamming clutch pedal on the test drive (known Duster fault) |
| Cabin (pollen) filter | £13 | Pattern part; budget-grade filters are widely listed for the Duster |
Pros
- Unbeatable value when new — and superb value used — with far more metal for the money than any rival
- Genuine 4x4 ability with hill descent control, rare at this price, and rated Best Off-Roader at the Parkers New Car Awards 2019
- Proven Renault-sourced engines with above-average reliability (2019 JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Survey) and strong owner satisfaction
- Practical family package: roomy five-seat cabin, 445-litre boot and comfortable ride
- The TCe 130 is genuinely nippy — Parkers measured strong real-world pace from the turbo petrol
- Cheap to run for most: ULEZ-compliant petrols, diesels claiming 64.2mpg, and servicing costs rated excellent over five years
Cons
- Only three Euro NCAP stars (2017 test) — no autonomous emergency braking or lane assist, unlike mainstream rivals
- Cabin plastics are hard and durable rather than plush; Prestige still feels budget inside
- Entry-level Access trim misses air conditioning and even wind-down rear windows
- The 1.6 SCe 115 petrol feels dated and strained; economy is mediocre at 43.5mpg
