Subcompact crossover SUV/Pick-up truck by Dacia
The Dacia Duster is a family of automobiles produced and marketed jointly by the French manufacturer Renault and its Romanian subsidiary Dacia since 2010. It is currently in its third generation, It is marketed as the Renault Duster in certain markets such as Latin America, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, and New Zealand. The first generation was rebadged and restyled as the Nissan Terrano in CIS countries and India. It was introduced in March 2010, and is the third model of the Dacia brand based on the Logan platform, after the Sandero.
The four-door double cab pick-up was launched at the end of 2015 in South America, marketed as the Renault Duster Oroch, while the single cab Dacia Duster Pick-Up was introduced in 2020.
First generation (HS; 2010).
Design.
The Duster was initially introduced in the ice racing version prepared for the Andros Trophy, presented for the first time on 17 November 2009. The production version was revealed to the media on 8 December 2009, and was subsequently launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.
Based on the B0 platform, the Duster measures in length, in width and has of ground clearance. Its luggage space has a volume of up to , while with the rear bench seat folded and tipped forward, its carrying ability can exceed .
The first-generation Duster was offered with two-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive. The 4x4 variants make use of Nissan's all-wheel drive system, which allows the driver to choose from three different driving modes: Auto, in which the rear-wheel drive is engaged automatically in case the front wheels lose grip, Lock, the rear axle spins at the same speed than the front, and 2WD where the transmission is locked into front-wheel drive for maximum fuel efficiency.
The Renault 4 had some influence on the Duster's design.
Facelift.
In September 2013, the facelifted Dacia Duster was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The exterior received important changes in the front with a new chromed grille and redesigned headlights, restyled roof bars, new 16-inch wheels and modest modifications in the rear. The interior was also renewed, with design and features similar to those introduced the previous year on the new models in the Dacia line-up. A new TCe 125 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo engine was introduced.
In 2016, the Duster received a new steering wheel and a Blackshadow trim.
Safety.
The Dacia Duster features Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). It also features electronic stability control (ESC) as an option on certain versions, as well as understeer control (CSV) and traction control (ASR). This option also allows torque to be transferred away from a spinning wheel in 4x4 mode to improve traction when diagonal wheel spin occurs.
On the passive safety front, the Dacia Duster comes as standard with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats. Depending on version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags to provide additional protection in the case of side impact. The pyrotechnic pretensioners for the front seats (depending on version) complete Dacia Duster's retention system.
The Duster for India with no airbags and no ABS received 0 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Global NCAP in 2017.
The Duster for India with driver airbag and no ABS received 3 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Global NCAP in 2017 (similar to Latin NCAP 2013).
The Duster in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 1 airbag and no ABS received 4 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2015.
In 2011, the Duster in its standard European market configuration was tested by the Euro NCAP, receiving a three-star rating. It was awarded 27 points (74%) for the adult occupant protection, 38 points (78%) for the child occupant protection, 10 points (28%) for the pedestrian protection and two points (29%) for the safety assist features. In the latter category, the rating was influenced by the lack of the speed limiter and the fact that the electronic stability control was available only as an option.
Marketing and production.
The first-generation Dacia Duster was offered in Europe, Turkey, Algeria and Morocco from March 2010, with prices starting from €11,900 (or €10,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the two-wheel drive version, and from €13,900 (or €11,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the 4x4 version. From June 2010, the Duster is also available in Ukraine, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon and in some African countries badged as a Renault, while in 2011, it is sold in the Persian Gulf States.
In 2014, 40% of the Duster units sold worldwide were badged as Dacia and 60% (70% in 2013) as Renault.
In June 2011, Renault revealed the Duster in South America at the Buenos Aires Motor Show. It will be produced at its Curitiba plant in Brazil for distribution in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and at the Sofasa plant in Colombia, to be sold in Mexico and Ecuador with marketing planned to start in the last quarter of 2011.
The first-generation Duster was manufactured at the Avtoframos plant in Moscow, Russia with about annual quantities, being available since 1 March 2012 with prices starting from about $14,400 and reaching sales in 2.5 years. In June 2015, an updated version of the Duster was launched in Russia with some improved engines and features.
The Dacia brand was launched in 2012 in the UK. The Duster was named "Scottish Car of the year", "SUV of the year" and "Budget car of the year" by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. In 2012, the Duster was also introduced in Ireland.
Since 2011, the flexi-fuel (ethanol) version was available in several Western European countries, while the Bi-Fuel (LPG) version, an OEM Landi Renzo, was offered in Eastern Europe, Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands. As of January 2013, the Bi-Fuel version was also available in France. The Bi-Fuel (LPG) version has proved to be very popular in Poland. Since the Duster's K4M engine has hydraulic lifters, the LPG version needs no regular valve adjustments. As of 2014, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Romania and Luxembourg are the only countries in the European Union where the LPG version was not offered by Dacia.
UK.
The Dacia Duster was launched in the UK in 2012, and has received several awards since, including: 2012 Top Gear Bargain of the Year, 2012 Scottish Car of the Year, and 2014 "Carbuyer.co.uk" Best Small SUV.
The Duster was Dacia's best selling vehicle in the UK, with 20,000 sales as of 2016, from the 70,000 total Dacia sales in the same period.
Russia.
The Duster was introduced in Russia in 2012, as Renault Duster. Its off-road capabilities for the relatively modest price have made Duster very popular. Initial strong demand has caused preorder waiting times of up to 18 months. In the first half of 2013, Renault Duster sold 40710 units, making it the 4th best-selling car model in Russia overall. The Duster was adapted to the Russian consumers expectations with for example the "Renault Start" innovative system of remote engine start, useful during the cold days to heat the car's body and engine, which decreases polluting emissions. In June 2015, a renewed version of the Duster was launched in Russia with a new range of more powerful and low-consumption engines, an automatic gearbox, some new options, new interior ergonomics and materials of interior trim, and a new exterior design.
India.
Renault launched the Duster on 4 July 2012 in India, with various modifications for the Indian market. The suspension and the underside of the car were strengthened to increase the car's offroading suitability. Renault India also launched the all-wheel drive (AWD) version of Duster in 2014. The all-wheel drive feature of the SUV, can be controlled via a toggle switch, that has three options to choose from – two-wheel drive, automatic, and four-wheel drive which can be manually locked. The AWD version was discontinued in 2020.
In April 2019, Renault India had confirmed that the second generation Renault Duster will not be coming to India, which meant the first-generation Duster production was extended up until the third generation Duster launch scheduled for 2025. Renault India launched a second facelift for the car, featuring an updated bumper and grille design that slightly mimics the second generation Duster, including a hood cutout to accommodate the Renault logo, reflecting Renault's design language. It was offered with a 1.5 L "K9K" diesel engine until April 2020, when it was discontinued due to the implementation of Bharat Stage 6 emission standards. Renault ended production of the Duster in February 2022.
South Africa.
Renault introduced the Duster in South Africa in October 2013. The Duster was originally imported from India, where it was also produced under the Dacia brand for other right-hand drive markets, namely the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. In September 2015, South Africa received the facelifted version of the Duster, with cars being imported from Romania.
Colombia.
It was introduced in 2012 as the Renault Duster, and has been the best selling SUV in the country since then. It was assembled in the plant of SOFASA in Envigado, in four versions:
The Duster was exported from Colombia mostly to countries as Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia. All versions are powered by a 16 valve, petrol engine. Also, since May 2014 it includes Media Nav system with GPS in Dynamique versions as optional.
The production of this generation in Colombia stopped in 2021.
Romania.
In October 2015, a special edition called "Dacia Duster Connected by Orange" was released, featuring a Wi-Fi hotspot with a two-year free contract from the mobile operator Orange, a rear-view camera, a new brown paint colour, a new version of 16-inch rims and electric-heated front seats.
Renault Duster Oroch.
The Renault Duster Oroch is a double cab pick-up version of the Duster. The Duster Oroch is the first Renault-badged pick-up and creates a new range in the pick-up market: 30 cm larger than the small ones and smaller than the large pick-up, but yet with 4 real doors instead of 2 or 3 for the usual smaller pick-up. It was unveiled on 18 June 2015 at the Buenos Aires Motor Show and was previewed by a concept car at the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show.
The Duster Oroch is available since September 2015 in South America and will get an automatic gearbox in 2016. It is powered by either the 1.6 litre or the 2.0 litre petrol engine, mated to 5-speed or 6-speed gearbox respectively.
Nissan Terrano.
The Duster is also restyled and sold as the Nissan Terrano in CIS markets and India. The nameplate was used before as an alternative name to the Nissan Pathfinder. It is succeeded by the B0 platform-based Nissan Kicks in India.
Travec Tecdrah TTi.
The Travec Tecdrah TTi is an off-road vehicle based on the first gen Dacia Duster, launched in 2011. which utilizes an APAL (of Russia) developed plastic body-on-space frame first used on the APAL Stalker.
Reception.
British motoring journalist Jonny Smith took the Duster on a road test in Morocco for the "Fifth Gear" TV programme, describing it as "brilliant"; "I really like this". He particularly praised its handling on poorly maintained mountain roads, while commenting on its poor standard of finish. Another drive test in Morocco was performed by James May for the "Top Gear" magazine.
The Dacia Duster was awarded the "Autobest 2011" prize by the members of the Autobest jury, coming from fifteen countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Macedonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Malta). Ten members of the jury have designated the Duster as the winner, after scoring in 13 criteria such as fuel consumption, versatility, roominess or design. It outran the Renault Fluence, placed third.
The Dacia Duster was nominated among the finalists of the "2011 European Car of the Year" award. It received praise for being "a real bargain", "a competent off-roader", as well as "attractive" and "practical".
The Dacia Duster was named the "Scottish Car of the Year 2012" at a ceremony held in Glasgow on 14 October 2012. It was also named "The Bargain of the Year 2012" by the "Top Gear" magazine.
In India, the Renault Duster received the "2013 Indian Car of the Year" award from a jury comprising leading automotive magazines of the country.
Second generation (HM; 2017).
A second generation was announced