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Jeep Wrangler Meets Pack of Light Dacia Dusters, Muddy Winter Challenges Arise

Eastern Europe is that magical place where most automotive playbook rules have been thrown down the drain, and all sorts of crazy stuff seemingly happens without interruption. Sure, having access to social media also helps with the feeling.
Jeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegs 39 photos
Photo: Dacia Duster Trails/YouTube
Jeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegsJeep Wrangler and Dacia Duster in winter wonderland challenegs
We have seen many instances of car things going wild in that part of the world. Fortunately, this time around, we’re not dealing with risky behavior on public roads. Instead, the Dacia Duster Trails channel on YouTube decided to present what happens into the actual wild when a bunch of affordable Dacia Dusters challenge a rock-crawling legend.

Said off-road icon is the timeless Jeep Wrangler, seen here as a Moab Edition – which was for a while the fourth generation’s (JL) flagship trim based on the Unlimited Sahara. It was presented back in 2017 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, becoming available for the 2018 model year.

It’s safe to say that when it comes to pricing, the $51,200 Moab Edition is in a completely different league compared to the humble Dacia Duster compact SUV. After all, even the 2021 Wrangler High Altitude ($47,770) doesn’t compare with the most expensive 2021 Dacia Duster, which goes for €18,650 ($22,583) in SL Orange trim at home in Romania.

Since we’re quite used to seeing apples compared to oranges in the automotive realm, it's safe to say the winter played its part in leveling the playing field. After all, a lot of interesting stuff happens once the snow settles in... especially when mixed with freezing mud, high gradient slopes, and even some marshes (from the 12:30 mark).

The Wrangler versus a pack of Dusters (from the first and second generation, both OEM and with aftermarket parts) challenge rose from the channel’s desire to perform a tire comparison and test session. Still, the actual review for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 Sport 2 tire is said to come later, so we’re here just for the fun of seeing a bunch of capable SUVs face off with Mother Nature.

Although at the end of the day, they draw the conclusion that Jeep’s mighty Wrangler wasn’t actually up to snuff with the lighter and nimbler Duster, we’re not going to adhere to the same view. After all, this wasn’t done under benchmark conditions, and not only the setting but also the driving style and choice of tires can lead to highly subjective results.

Instead, do check out the efforts of the Wrangler owner to reach the top of a frozen slope from the 1:25 mark (power does the trick at the 3:53 minute). Although the video has Romanian language audio, the graphic overlay comes only in English, so it’s easy to follow the action – and even take home some off-roading advice.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
Aurel Niculescu profile photo

Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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