Third-Gen 2024 Dacia Duster Unveiled With CMF-B Platform, Hybrid Powertrains, Loses Diesel

Dacia – known by its extended name as S.C. Automobile Dacia S.A. – has quite a long history as it was established in 1966, but prior to 1999, it was mostly an East-European affair and nothing more. After that, once Renault took the automaker under its wing, it blossomed and rose to more than half a million vehicles sold yearly during the 2020s. Today, it has two of the most popular vehicles in Europe – the Sandero supermini and the no-frills, budget-friendly, and off-road-focused Duster subcompact crossover SUV.

Now, the latter has a good chance of rising at the top of its class after the newly introduced third-generation model kicks off worldwide sales (it's also sold under the Renault badge in other regions). The nameplate has been around since 2010, and in its 13-year career, it has already gone through a couple of main iterations. Now, it is finally part of the company's "next chapter."

The design is infused with Bigster Concept clues, is "tougher and more assertive," and is also relatively easy to recognize compared to the other two generations because the rear-access door handles are now hidden away. Even better, after the first two iterations were built on the Dacia B0 and B0+ architecture, essentially a reworked platform for subcompact cars of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, now the third Duster has graduated to the group's latest and greatest, the CMF-B platform.

While the exterior design keeps itself connected to the predecessors in a modern and adventurous way, the interior is another vital step forward – or we should more likely say 'jump forward,' as the Duster now has reworked ergonomics, way better materials, and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen sitting level with the first-ever 7-inch digital instrument cluster. The interior also has a bigger boot (+6% to 472 liters), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a six-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system, plus five-mode 4x4 Terrain Control for the models equipped with AWD.

Accessories are also a big part of the new product's ethos, with an integrated roof rack, a Sleep Pack (3-in-1 box with a double bed, tray table, and storage space), and the YouClip series. For powertrains, Dacia has (sadly or not, depending on your POV) eliminated the torque-focused diesel engine and instead offers the gas and LPG Eco-G 100 as the base option, followed by the mild Hybrid TCe 130 with 4x2 or 4x4 and the all-new Hybrid 140 from the Jogger. Trim levels include the Duster Essential, Expression, and the flagship Extreme for outdoor enthusiasts or Journey for long trips and comfortable urban rides.