The least we can say is that Dacia is not playing the revolution for the restyling of the Duster 2021. Nevertheless, the few adjustments that it offers itself are not without advantages, as we have been able to measure at the wheel of the Eco-G 100 LPG version.
Test car: Dacia Duster 1.0 ECO-G Prestige 4×2
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From€ 18,100
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The second best-selling Dacia model in France, the Duster SUV has also played the role of the brand’s flagship since its launch. Thanks to its SUV status and its well-studied style, it seduces at least as much by its appearance as by the promises of low price and robustness embodied by its manufacturer. Moreover, the high-end Prestige finish attracts 80% of French customers. In ten years, the model has been distributed to nearly two million copies all generations combined and this figure does not include models marketed under the Renault name in emerging countries.
The other side of the coin, SUVs, which are more available in 4X4s like him, are on the front line in the face of increasingly severe regulatory requirements. Therefore, the Duster 2 whose launch dates back to 2017 will not have a career as long as its predecessor which had lasted for almost eight years. Its successor based on a new platform is already in the pipeline and should appear in 2024. This is why Dacia is playing minimalism for this mid-career restyling. Aesthetically, in addition to a few details such as a new aerodynamic spoiler and new rims, it can be recognized by the new interior design of its headlights which allow it to display the new Dacia signature. The lights abandon their cross pattern similar to that adopted by Jeep. On the technical side, we only note the return of the EDC box on the TCe 150 and expansion of the LPG tank to 50 useful liters of the Eco-G 100 version that we took in hand on this occasion.
Dacia Duster GPL 2021 price
Dacia has revamped the Duster range. The Access version is removed and it is now the Essential finish which takes on the role of access to the Romanian SUV. To assume this vocation, the Duster Eco-G Essentiel decreases its price from € 15,500 to € 14,490, but he lost the air conditioning, now billed 900 €, but still kept the radio, the folding bench and the roof bars. On the intermediate Comfort level, there is a price increase of € 250, offset by the arrival in series of the 8 ” Media Display tablet of the Sandero sedan.
Our Prestige trial version at € 18,100 also recorded an increase of € 400 justified by the serial connection of the GPS, two USB sockets and the blind spot alert. Note that Dacia is preparing to offer an even higher level, called Up & Go. Compared to the Prestige, it offers in addition to the GPL the multi-view camera and the hands-free card for € 300 euros more, ie an advantage of € 250. Finally, Dacia has already programmed a new Extreme limited series for 2022 based on the Prestige. Despite the progress of the equipment, there are still some stinginess such as the absence of a driver’s sequential window regulator or that of the rain sensor. Last useful clarification: the LPG version of the Duster still escapes the ecological penalty.
Driving
Appreciating the restyled Duster requires having a sense of detail as the changes are reduced. Nevertheless, since our test in 2020, the Eco-G 100 version, still based on the small three-cylinder 999 cm3, has undergone some changes to move to Euro-6D Full standards that should be remembered even if they were introduced. before restyling. The most important is the adoption of a 6-speed versus 5-speed transmission, while in gasoline mode the power drops from 100 to 90 hp. The LPG mode is therefore more preferable than ever since it also makes it possible to take advantage of 10 Nm of additional torque available 200 rpm lower.
In use, the engine is more elastic than before and makes less feel the sensation of hollow at low speed. A feeling that owes a lot to the transmission staging, shorter than on the new Sandero. It is indeed a sensation because in terms of performance, no progress can be recorded in LPG mode while they decrease very markedly in gasoline with a 0 to 100 km / h in 15.1 seconds against 14, 4 previously.
On the other hand, there is a very clear drop in fuel consumption. We noted 6.3 l / 100 km on a road and expressway route which corresponds, once is not customary, to the WLTP values. The feat is all the more to be noted as our model only displayed 500 km on the odometer. However, it is difficult to get an idea of LPG consumption. It is not because this is now displayed on the dashboard that the measurement is more precise: it is always an extrapolation of the computer and the figure of 9.3 liters that we noted on a journey. similar seems fanciful to us.
It will therefore be necessary to carry out new measurements “at the pump” on a longer test to get a more precise idea of the autonomy allowed by the new 50-liter tank. Whatever the case, it greatly exceeds 1000 km and this new capacity makes it possible to better compensate for the greater scarcity of LPG pumps. For the rest the Duster is true to itself. It still takes advantage of its reduced mass to offer very satisfactory driving precision, especially since it is fitted with excellent Continental tires. It offers very decent suspension comfort and the little 1.0 doesn’t sound too loud, even under load. It is only on the motorway that air noise is more present than on the average compact SUV. Always very current this Duster!
Inside the 2021 Duster
Competetion
A compact LPG SUV for € 18,100, this is quite simply an offer without competition on the French market. This is not new, the Dacias occupy a field of their own and it is not the restyling of the Dacia Duster that will change the situation. Unsurprisingly, the closest model is the Renault Captur which offers the same engine but its prices start at € 21,950, or € 3,850 more. With the disappearance of the Logan MCV the SUV even lost an internal competitor. The Lodgy is not offered with this engine while the Sandero belongs to a completely different segment. We must therefore wait for the presentation of the new Dacia 7-seater model to perhaps find an alternative in the range.
Find the balance sheet, price, equipment and technical sheet on the next page …
