2026 Dacia Duster Specs, Review, Redesign
2026 Dacia Duster Specs, Review, Redesign – The 2026 Dacia Duster upholds the brand’s dedication to producing reasonably priced cars. The Duster is a fun SUV to drive despite not being the most luxurious or sophisticated SUV on the market. Pricing and financing choices will determine the car’s success, even if the many enhancements clearly warrant a higher price. 2026 Dacia Duster Specs
2026 Dacia Duster Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The 2026 Dacia Duster is clearly positioned as a moderately priced alternative to comparable sized and far more expensive SUVs like the Skoda Karoq and Mazda CX-30, as seen by the quantity of rough plastics on exhibit within the vehicle. The Duster appears more contemporary if you opt for the Expression trim level and above because of its expansive central touchscreen and electrically operated driver’s instrument cluster. We appreciate that the Duster still has a number of huge buttons as it makes using various functions simpler while you’re on the move.
The inside looks good, with y-shaped inserts in the air vents and a more cohesive dash layout. Lower-end models, such as the Essential, feature hard plastic armrests, while higher-end trims include a soft-touch pad in place of the armrests, which is significantly more pleasant for prolonged travel.
Although there is still a lot of rough plastic on it, overall build quality is better than on the previous version, and it feels more durable even with heavy use. The infotainment system of the 2026 Dacia Duster is different from the parent company Renault’s design. Anyone in expression grade and above can access it. While it loads very quickly and is rather straightforward to use overall, we discovered that it takes roughly 15 seconds to start up, even with a well-designed map.
There are many physical buttons beneath the screen that handle the temperature control functions, however we still like the previous model’s more user-friendly knobs. On Expression versions and up, Dacia’s “Media Nav Live” is likewise offered.
It has four speakers and a wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car and our phone connected to each other without any problems. 2026 Dacia Duster Specs
2026 Dacia Duster Specs
Engine & Performance
Like other small SUVs in its class, the 2026 Dacia Duster is standard with front-wheel drive, but it can also be had with four-wheel drive, which is capable of handling more difficult terrain than your typical muddy farm track.
In the lowest Essential trim, you have a choice between a more powerful 128bhp 1.2-liter petrol version and a 99bhp 1.0-liter LPG-powered Bi-Fuel version. Unless you live close to a gas station that offers it, you’ll probably be better off opting with the more powerful option. This Duster version, with its 138 horsepower and elegant full-hybrid architecture, is the most efficient in the fleet.
All things considered, the Duster is a fun and easy-to-drive little SUV, but it lacks the SEAT Arona and Ford Puma’s degree of handling accuracy. But when it comes to off-road capability, the Duster really excels above its more expensive rivals. When we tried it, we were amazed at the challenges the 4×4 type could go over, even with standard all-season tires.
The 4×4’s drive system may modify how power is divided among the axles to provide better angles of approach and departure on challenging climbs or steep descents. While the infotainment screen readout that shows the car’s slip angles and off-road settings is helpful, we would rather have better front and rear cameras to help spot obstacles. were only told that, during testing, the Duster could achieve a 40-degree angle, which is five degrees greater than a Mercedes G-Class, but they were only able to get the car to a 25-degree side angle. 2026 Dacia Duster Specs
2026 Dacia Duster Fuel Economy
The 2026 Dacia Duster’s comparatively small weight is advantageous in terms of efficiency. The previous Duster’s gasoline-powered TCE 90 and 130 engines were capable of 45.6 mpg. Dacia claims that with little assistance from the hybrid system, the 48-volt starter-generator in the TCe 130 helps to increase fuel economy to a WLTP rating of 51.4 mpg. A two-wheel drive variant consistently achieved 46.3 mpg during testing. Actually, with four-wheel drive, the 1.2 TCe’s efficiency decreases to 46.3 mpg, so expect to get roughly 40 mpg.
The hybrid is even more efficient, achieving 55.3 mpg. The Duster can operate at modest speeds with less engine power in urban areas because to the Hybrid 140’s ability to start purely on electricity. At higher speeds, though, obtaining the Hybrid 140’s claimed efficiency rating becomes more challenging because the car will be dependent more on its engine for propulsion.
Because LPG has a lower energy density than regular gasoline, the 1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel’s 43.5 mpg fuel efficiency rating may seem low to those who are considering it. However, if you can find a filling station that offers LPG, the fuel is initially less expensive.
2026 Dacia Duster Safety Features
Unfortunately, the latest 2026 Dacia Duster received a miserable three stars out of five from safety regulators Euro NCAP. Part of it has to do with the brand’s approach of just offering facilities that customers want to offer them the most value for their money. For instance, the Duster lacks a technology to detect the presence of minors and an oncoming vehicle warning system. The solid passenger cabin of the Duster received positive feedback. However, there are some pretty significant difficulties when you consider that the chest protection of the driver and rear-seat passengers in frontal crash testing was only graded as moderate.
Even yet, the most current Duster boasts more safety features than previous iterations, including as driver attention alert, automated emergency braking, speed limit alert, rear parking assistance, lane departure warning, and lane maintain assist (which we also found to be quite helpful). We also found that traffic sign recognition performed remarkably well. Unexpectedly, supervisors take care to point out that after these features have been customized to your needs, you can turn them off with a single button click.
Dacia is gradually rising through the rankings of the manufacturer, according to the Driver Power customer satisfaction study. The brand did better than expected in 2023, moving up from 26th to 22nd place out of 32 manufacturers. Given that it is regarded as the best automobile to purchase in 2024, the most recent Duster is anticipated to continue the legacy started by the outgoing model.
2026 Dacia Duster Release Date & Price
Dacia’s business practises must be perplexing to other manufacturers. Budget-conscious consumers have favored the Romanian manufacturer, which has a dominant 8.4% market share in cars throughout Europe. Dacia is still very much a grounded corporation, despite the pressure it endures to make its cars more lucrative and high-end.
The price of the most current Duster serves as an example of this; the base Essential model starts at just under £19,000, which is less expensive than the majority of other small SUVs, while the Renault Captur costs just over £21,000.
Since its 2010 premiere, Dacia has sold 2.4 million units internationally, becoming the Duster the company’s most well-known car. The latest model seems to be the first completely new car to be unveiled since the business restarted in 2026 from the exterior.
Conclusion
Although there are many small SUVs on the market, very few are as reasonably priced as the 2026 Dacia Duster. For those looking for a more sophisticated all-around car, there are three different models to choose from: the Hyundai Kona, the updated Jeep Avenger, and cars that are gas-powered, hybrid, or fully electric. The nimble Ford Puma or SEAT Arona are good choices for anyone looking for a somewhat more pleasurable car to drive. Despite the Duster’s fuel-efficient hybrid form, the Toyota Yaris Cross has four-wheel drive and is more fuel-efficient than the Duster.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
