Renault Duster (Dacia Duster) Review: UK Press Named It "Car of the Year"
Sold under the Renault badge in Turkey but as a Dacia across most of Europe, the new-generation Duster was named Top Gear's "All the Car You'll Ever Need" for 2024. We round up UK press verdicts alongside Turkish pricing.
Renault Duster (Dacia Duster) Review: UK Press Named It "Car of the Year"
Important note: In a small number of markets, including Turkey and Russia, Dacia models are sold under the Renault badge; so the "Renault Duster" sold in Turkey is exactly the same car tested as the "Dacia Duster" across the rest of Europe and in the UK press. Every international review referenced in this article covers the same third-generation model sold as the Duster in Turkey.
Top Gear's "Car of the Year" Award
Top Gear named the new Duster its "All the Car You'll Ever Need" award for 2024. According to editor-in-chief Jack Rix's assessment, the Duster is as enjoyable to drive as it is practical — lightweight, feature-packed, and "relentlessly focused on being useful" — describing it as one of the automotive world's "true bargains."
What Other UK Outlets Say
Most outlets, including What Car? and Evo, highlight that the new Duster is far quieter and more comfortable than the outgoing generation. The Car Expert gives the Duster an above-average aggregated expert rating of B / 68%.
Standout Strengths
- Notably reduced road noise and vibration compared to the previous generation
- A roomy, practical interior layout
- A standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with CarPlay/Android Auto support
- Tougher exterior styling with recycled-plastic "Starkle" cladding
- Genuine off-road drive modes (sand/mud/snow)
Standout Criticisms
- A weaker Euro NCAP safety score (3 stars) than rivals, particularly on the vulnerable-road-user-protection and safety-assist sub-scores
- Firm seats that some found tiring on long trips
- Interior plastics that betray the low price
- Wind noise and a grumbly engine note at higher speeds
- Narrow rear windows limiting visibility
Who Is It For?
The consensus across international press is clear: the Duster is ideal for buyers who want maximum practicality and off-road-capable styling on a tight budget, and who are willing to trade some refinement and safety-tech sophistication for the price advantage.
Which Duster Versions Are Sold in Turkey?
| Version | Engine | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco-G 120 HP LPG | 1.0 TCe Eco-G | 120 HP | 1,865,000 TRY |
| Full Hybrid E-Tech 160 HP | E-Tech Hybrid | 160 HP | 2,570,000 TRY |
In Turkey, the factory-fitted LPG option and the full-hybrid E-Tech engine stand out — a different fuel/powertrain combination than the 1.5 turbo petrol version tested by UK press. See our Renault Duster page for current prices and full equipment details.
Conclusion
Including Top Gear's "Car of the Year" award, international press's view of the Duster is clear: one of the most compelling models in its class on the price/practicality balance, though it trades off against rivals on safety score and interior material quality. Use our Compare tool to check it against other SUVs in its segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Renault Duster the same vehicle as the Dacia Duster?
Yes. In a few markets, including Turkey and Russia, Dacia models are sold under the Renault badge; the Renault Duster sold in Turkey is the same third-generation model sold as the Dacia Duster across the rest of Europe.
What award did the new Duster win?
Top Gear magazine named the new-generation Duster its "All the Car You'll Ever Need" award for 2024.
What is the Duster's Euro NCAP safety rating?
In international testing, the new Duster received a 3-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, a lower safety score than most of its rivals.
Sıfır Fiyatlar Editör
Sıfır Fiyatlar's editorial team compiles and regularly updates current price lists, campaigns, and buying guides for Turkey's automotive market.
