New Dacia Duster: first impressions in Portugal

During the presentation of Dacia’s 2023 commercial results in Portugal, we had our first opportunity to see the new Dacia Duster.

Its market launch is still a few months away - sales begin in May, with order books opening in March - but the model’s visit to Portugal provided an initial static preview in person.

Pricing has not yet been confirmed. However, brand representatives will reveal it shortly, and the news could be encouraging.

First impressions of the new Dacia Duster

Dacia has retained the broad proportions of the previous generation, while combining them with the lines of the brand’s new design identity. Styling is always somewhat subjective, yet the view appears unanimous: the Dacia Duster is moving in the right direction.

The new look is not entirely unfamiliar, as the 2024 Duster closely follows the Bigster future-model concept unveiled in 2021. Like Dacia’s current-generation models, the new Duster is based on the CMF-B platform.

Better inside, once again

While the changes outside are clear, those in the cabin are even more noticeable. With every new generation, Dacia improves an interior that started out rather basic, bringing it progressively closer to the solutions offered by its rivals.

The central display is now 10.1 inches and has been moved to the top of the dashboard, where it is slightly angled towards the driver, making it considerably easier to reach and use. In its predecessor, it sat very low down. Its graphics are also significantly more modern.

The highly practical rotary climate-control dials have been left behind with the previous generation. However, the Romanian brand has retained physical controls, now in button form - less convenient to operate, but preferable to relying on the screen.

The cabin proved spacious and practical, with numerous storage areas. As expected, the materials remain mostly hard, although Dacia has used textures to make them more visually appealing.

Electrification arrives in the Duster 2024

The new platform brings several developments in terms of powertrains.

For the first time, the Dacia Duster will no longer be offered with a Diesel engine. Replacing it is a 140 hp hybrid powertrain. This is not the only electrified option, as the Duster will also be available with a 48 V mild-hybrid powertrain.

The bi-fuel ECO-G powertrain - which accounts for six out of every 10 cars sold by Dacia in Portugal (2023 data) - has every reason to remain one of the most sought-after versions. With two 50-litre tanks, one for petrol and the other for LPG, it claims a range of up to 1300 km.

For more details on the new Dacia Duster, follow the link below.