Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe 150 hp EDC review

There is no other way to put it: Dacia has played a major role in making car ownership more accessible this century, and the Duster remains a fine illustration of that.

With almost two million units sold worldwide, there is little need to underline this model’s success. The figures speak for themselves. Although it is not Dacia’s newest or most modern offering, it is still its most fully developed model.

I say that because of the versatility it delivers and the qualities it displays, but above all because of its broad engine range. There is an engine for every preference, from petrol and diesel to bi-fuel power (petrol + LPG).

Today, our appointment is with the most powerful Dacia Duster currently available. For the first time in the model’s history, it combines a 1.3-litre 150 hp petrol engine with a six-speed EDC automatic gearbox.

“Extreme” styling ahead of the new look

Dacia has introduced a fresh visual identity and a new, cleaner, more minimalist emblem: Dacia Link. It will soon appear across every model sold by the Romanian marque.

In Portugal, every Dacia ordered after 16 June will already feature this update, while the first deliveries are scheduled for the final quarter of the year.

Naturally, the car we tested does not yet wear this new look, though that does not make it any less distinctive, as it comes in the new Extreme trim.

This version stands apart through several orange styling details, visible on the front grille, door-mirror covers, tailgate lettering and roof bars, giving it a more individual appearance.

The cabin also receives orange accents on the seats, centre console, air vents and door pulls.

Its equipment list is particularly noteworthy, led by an 8-inch multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration - something not even some premium models offer - alongside automatic climate control, parking sensors, a rear Multi-view camera and traffic-sign recognition.

The interior design is perfectly acceptable, although it is beginning to show its age, especially alongside the brand’s newer Jogger. Even so, and despite the hard plastics, assembly quality is reasonably good, as is the overall on-board experience in this SUV.

Everything provided is genuinely useful and ends up being used regularly. True to its character, Dacia has not spent time - or money - filling the Duster’s cabin with unnecessary features.

Does the 150 hp Dacia Duster engine make sense?

Nothing I have mentioned so far comes as a surprise, as it is very much the essence of the Romanian brand. What did surprise me was finding this SUV available with a 150 hp petrol engine and a six-speed EDC automatic transmission.

However, a few kilometres behind the wheel were enough to show that this engine and gearbox combination gives the Dacia Duster a different set of strengths, without greatly affecting fuel consumption when compared with the 130 hp 1.3 TCe.

Based on the same 1.3 TCe four-cylinder unit - developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Mercedes-Benz - used by the 130 hp version, this engine gains 20 hp to reach 150 hp, while torque rises by 10 Nm to 250 Nm.

The differences may not appear substantial on paper, but this powertrain responds with considerably more authority and consistency. With the six-speed EDC gearbox handling the shifts, progress is smooth and free from jolts.

This is particularly apparent in urban traffic, where the transmission proves consistently capable and allows the car to move through this environment in great comfort.

How does it perform on the road?

On open roads, when driven at a faster pace, the gearbox begins to show a few hesitations, losing some of the smoothness and effectiveness praised above.

Nevertheless, at what could be described as a normal pace, I have absolutely nothing to criticise about this transmission. It also has a sequential mode on the selector, although I hardly ever used it.

It is when you explore the engine more fully that its response proves more satisfying and clearly superior to that of the 130 hp 1.3 TCe.

The figures make this clear: this version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 199 km/h, compared with 10.6 seconds and 193 km/h for the 130 hp-engined version.

Fuel consumption has not suffered

Fuel use has not been heavily affected either, at least according to the official figures: 6.3 l/100 km on the combined WLTP cycle for the 150 hp version, against 6.2 l/100 km for the 130 hp model.

By the end of this test, the instrument panel was showing 7.4 l/100 km, a figure that reflected the many miles covered in town. On motorway journeys, however, this Duster returned consumption of below 6.0 l/100 km.

If you are willing to accept more restrained performance, you can always engage ECO mode to save even more fuel.

Is it the right car for you?

As robust as ever, the Dacia Duster’s suspension does a good job of absorbing imperfections in the road surface, resulting in a satisfying drive.

It still does not shine dynamically and, through bends, its generous ground clearance - ideal when taking it onto rough tracks - remains noticeable. Yet it never loses its composure and delivers good balance.

There is scope to improve cabin sound insulation and the rather limited adjustment of the driver’s seat, but overall the Duster remains a pleasant proposition that rarely disappoints.

Value for money is a major strength, although it is less obvious when choosing this 150 hp engine and transmission. Even so, the gains in response - whether overtaking or making everyday urban acceleration - and the smoother driving experience make up for it.

That said, the Duster is no longer the low-cost, sparsely equipped model of the past. It is a highly capable offering, with styling that still holds up well and technology suited to what the vast majority of people need.

For all these reasons, its continued success comes as no surprise. Dacia’s new visual identity has every chance of strengthening it even further.