Who Makes Dacia Cars?

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Who manufactures Dacia cars

S.C. Automobile Dacia S.A.

Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Founded	September 1966 ; 57 years ago
Headquarters	Mioveni, Argeș, Romania
Area served	Europe (except Belarus, Russia, Ukraine), Algeria, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Réunion and Tunisia
Key people	Denis Le Vot (CEO of the Dacia-Lada business unit and Dacia company)
Products	Automobiles, commercial vehicles
Production output	248,606 (2020)
Revenue	18,299 million lei (2020)
Operating income	336 million lei (2020)
Net income	298 million lei (2020)
Total assets	8,990 million lei (2020)
Total equity	5,220 million lei (2020)
Number of employees	13,501 (2020)
Parent	Renault
Website	dacia,ro

S.C. Automobile Dacia S.A., commonly known as Dacia ( Romanian pronunciation: ⓘ ), is a Romanian car manufacturer that takes its name from the historical region that constitutes present-day Romania. The company was established in 1966. In 1999, after 33 years, the Romanian government sold Dacia to the French car manufacturer Groupe Renault,

Where are Dacia cars manufactured

FAQs These general questions might help you Dacia holds production facilities across the globe, including Romania and Morocco. UK versions of Dacia Duster are built in Pitesti, in Romania. UK versions of Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway are built in Tangiers, in Morocco.

• Confirming its incredible popularity among owners, Dacia has been revealed as the UK’s top car manufacturer for brand advocacy, in a list compiled by YouGov in its BrandIndex.
• Dacia came in with a total score of 67.4, beating 34 other car manufacturers, as well as coming in ninth out of the top 10 brands in all sectors overall.* Furthermore, all Dacia vehicles come with a comprehensive 3 year / 60,000 mile** Warranty as standard, as well as a 6-year anti-corrosion Warranty and a 2-year paint Warranty.

If you intend to keep your vehicle for longer, you can opt for one of four extended warranties for added peace of mind. An extended Warranty can be purchased at any time up until one year after the first date of registration Dacia was founded in Romania in 1966.

1. The Renault Group bought the Romanian car manufacturer Dacia in September 1999.
2. Through shared technology and production methods, Renault has helped Dacia become a global icon in its own right, selling to over 4 million customers worldwide.
3. All Dacia vehicles come with a good level of standard safety equipment to protect vehicle occupants.

All versions of Duster, Sandero and Sandero Stepway are equipped with: ·

Driver’s, passenger’s and front side airbags Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Height-adjustable front headrests 3 x 3-point rear seatbelts

Additionally, all versions of Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway feature Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (ASR) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) as standard. We get asked these questions about our cars Yes – All the models we offer have an LPG (Bi-fuel) version to choose from, with the exception of the Jogger which currently has just one engine choice.

You sure can. Our 4×4 versions are made for it, with their three mode 4-wheel-drive system, wide clearance angles and short first gear ratio to aid traction on loose surfaces.Top Gear took it off-roading in Peru and said: “We subjected this simple, brilliant little car to punishment beyond anything that even Britain’s most abused Defender has endured, and it has passed with flying colours.” Super simple! You can find the Dacia you’re after in stock at,

Simply find your next Dacia, click on Reserve for £99 and complete all of your information. That’s it! The car you want not in stock?Head to our vehicle configurator pages and build your next car. At the end, simply click on Reserve for £99. You have two options.

You can continue to buy online (finance only) by accessing your reservation and clicking ‘finance eligibility check’ to complete and apply for finance online. Or, you can be put in contact directly with your chosen retailer. Either way, your Dacia guide will reach out after you’ve made your reservation to discuss next steps.

Whilst we do everything we can to have your vehicle delivered as quickly as possible, sometimes things happen in our supply chain that are out of our control resulting in a delay to your vehicle. In this case, your retailer will be able to keep you fully updated as to where your car is and if you need further help, you can reach out to our Dacia guide team via live chat.

Notification of your intent to return must be given to the Dacia guide team who can be contacted via this webpage: Notification should be given no later than midnight on the 30th day from the day of vehicle registration and the vehicle must be returned to the retailer which handed it over to you within 5 days of giving notice.Any vehicle which you traded in towards your new Dacia will not be returned to you, but the value given to you as part of this purchase will be returned.

Other than any fair wear and tear, the Vehicle must be returned as per original condition, to qualify for the offer with all keys, accessories, loose items and V5 with vehicle. No refund will be processed until the V5 is in the possession of the retailer you’re returning the vehicle to.

Vehicle must be returned by the customer to supplying retailer. Upon return vehicle cannot have any charges or claims from any third party against it. You must not have made a previous purchase under the Guarantee in relation to any vehicle in the preceding 12 months from the date of registration. Dacia UK reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw the offer at any point in time.

Correct at time of publication. Retail customers only. These are the most asked questions about placing and receiving a new Dacia No problem. To update your personal details, you will need to log in to your account and make all necessary changes in the appropriate fields.

This does not affect the status of your order. You should also contact your dealership to advise them of any changes. Your Dacia retailer will inform you of a forecast delivery date for your new car. Lead times will depend on the specification of vehicle ordered, and are subject to availability. Some versions may be available from stock.

Unfortunately, at present, we do not know exactly how long the delay will be since the computer chip shortage is constantly evolving. We understand this is very frustrating for you and as soon as we have visibility on your vehicle’s build date in the coming weeks, we or your chosen dealer will contact you to update you.

Please note that disposal of waste industrial and automotive batteries by landfill or by incineration is banned in the UK. If you have an electric powered vehicle, there are specific obligations for producers/importers of such vehicles that are intended to help you deal with the batteries that power these vehicles when they become waste.

Businesses that place electric vehicle batteries onto the UK market have an obligation to arrange for the treatment and recycling of these batteries. All battery producers in the UK are required to be registered with the Government. Dacia UK is classified as a battery producer in the UK.

Civic amenity and recycling centres Local authority battery collection schemes Licensed End of Life vehicle authorised treatment facilities Licensed metal recycling sites

Upon request, Dacia UK will collect waste automotive batteries from a final holder* free of charge as required by the regulations. If you have any queries, please contact Dacia UK * as defined in The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009. : FAQs

Why are Dacia cars so cheap?

Dacia cars tend to have a straightforward design and offer essential features, focusing on functionality rather than extravagance. Rather than chasing the bells and whistles that can drive up costs, Dacia focuses on offering the fundamental features that drivers need to navigate daily life.

Is Skoda better than Dacia

Dacia Sandero long-term test review What’s the catch, then? If ‘you get what you pay for’ as one of my relatives told me when we were talking about the price of the Sandero, what have I sacrificed? Well, to find out I took a turn in a 1.0-litre before switching back to the Sandero, at which point the difference becomes all too apparent. First off, there’s the sound. The Sandero is fairly quiet, although the 0.9-litre three-cylinder is quite a lot louder than the Skoda’s, particularly at higher revs. Getting on the motorway every morning, that’s conspicuous. There’s almost certainly less sound deadening in the Sandero – toot the horn in the Skoda and the horn sounds distant and insulated, whereas in the Sandero, it could almost be under the passenger seat.

Next, there are some rather rough edges on the interior trim in the Sandero, where the plastics have come out of the moulds without much finish. There’s a ridge on the indicator stalk and the upper dash vents look far more unpolished than the Skoda’s. Small touches all, but they add up to a feeling of economy in the Sandero and solidity in the Fabia.

So how does it stack up to a – which is worth a not dissimilar price to the Sandero’s on-the-road price one year ago? It’s held up admirably, albeit with a few minor technical problems and a knocking noise, although the first MOT is due soon. No such problems with the Sandero, except those intermittent interior rattles I’ve discussed in earlier reports.

So which would I have? The Skoda is better equipped and better built than the bargain Sandero, but there will come a point where the used Fabia will become less reliable than the new Dacia and could start to cost you serious money. For sheer peace of mind at this point, then, I’ll stick with the Sandero.

: Dacia Sandero long-term test review

Who supplies Dacia engines?

Dacia says the MediaNav infotainment system will come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support October 2, 2018 at 04:11 Following its premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new generation Dacia Duster has welcomed some important updates. Detailed during the 2018 Paris Auto Show, the Romanian SUV will soon be available for order with the new Renault-Nissan-Daimler-developed 1.3-liter petrol engines.

How successful is Dacia

EVER-INCREASING SALES VOLUMES AND MARKET SHARES – Dacia, the best value for money car brand, has recorded considerably higher sales volumes and achieved record-breaking market shares, with significant growth, in the first quarter of 2023. Across the markets in which Dacia is available, the brand sold 171,789 units (PC + LCV), up 34.3% on the same period last year.

1. Thanks to the successful launch of its new brand identity Dacia’s share of the European PC market grew by a significant 0.8 percentage points to 4.6% – the largest increase among the top 30 automotive brands.
2. In France, the brand’s largest market, 38,938 Dacia vehicles were registered in the first quarter, representing an increase of 32.6% on 2022.

This performance pushed Dacia’s (PC + LCV) market share up 1.2 percentage points to 7.6%. The brand reported record-breaking sales volumes and achieved its highest-ever market share, strengthening its third place position in the retail market across all sales channels.

1. Four Dacia models were among the ten bestselling cars in the retail market – the Sandero, the Spring (the bestselling all-electric vehicle), the Duster and the Jogger ranked first, fourth, fifth and tenth respectively.
2. In Italy, Dacia sold 25,142 units in the first three months of the year (up 29.7%) and achieved a market share of 5.3% (PC+LCV), up 0.2%.

For the first time, Dacia has become the best-selling brand in the retail PC market with a 9.6% market share. Dacia also saw strong growth in Germany, where it sold 16,399 units (up 30.4%) and reached a market share of 2.2% (PC+LCV), up 0.4%. It was the brand’s second most successful quarter ever in the country.

Is Dacia a real car?

OUR HISTORY Making mobility available for all With more than 8 million customers in 44 countries in Europe and the Mediterranean region, Dacia has established itself as the best value-for-money brand in the automotive market and intends to stay that way.

1. With this in mind, Dacia has managed to evolve over the years to continue to meet the needs of its customers.
2. Each of its flagship models are proven gamechangers, having shaken up the automotive market.
3. Dacia, a brand reborn Dacia was founded in Romania in 1966, with a clear objective: to provide modern, reliable and affordable cars to all Romanians.

Its name was taken from Dacia, the former name given by the Romans to the region now known as Romania. But it was in 1999, when Renault acquired Dacia, that the brand began a strategic shift, without straying far from its roots. Logan marked its first success.

1. Logan launched in 2004 A renaissance for the brand, Logan is a modern and robust family saloon that was originally designed for emerging markets at the unbeatable price of €5,000.
2. It revolutionised the automotive market and achieved incredible commercial success, including in Western Europe, where Logan was launched in 2005.

Sandero launched in 2008 Sandero was the second major launch for the Dacia brand. It is also its best-selling model. Its generous size, practical design, versatility and affordable price tag are just a few of the qualities that make Sandero the best-selling passenger car in Europe.

Duster launched in 2010 With Duster, Dacia once again broke down automotive industry norms. In addition to being the most affordable SUV, Duster offers an attractive vehicle with real off-road capabilities and outstanding versatility. Once again, the brand has enjoyed great commercial success with this model.

Jogger Launched in 2022 With its spirit of adventure, Jogger perfectly embodies Dacia‘s brand positioning and ethos. At the crossroads of several segments, this versatile family car accommodates up to 7 passengers, taking the best from each category. It has the length of an estate car, the spaciousness and modularity of a leisure activity vehicle and the adventurous appeal of an SUV. Want to know more about Dacia? : OUR HISTORY

What Dacia means

Dacia – Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity Popularity: 24835 Origin: Romanian Other Origin(s): Irish, Latin Meaning: Romania; From the south Keep baby connected to their heritage and culture with this roman -tic name! As a personal name for girls, Dacia derives from the Latin Dacius, meaning “Romania.” Roman Dacia was once a province of the Roman Empire, where modern-day Romania is now.

Dacia is also a form of Dacey, an Irish name meaning “from the south.” Eloquent and refined, Dacia holds an air of antiquity as a name that has survived millennia. Whether honoring baby’s roots or in love with its blissful vibe, Dacia is a beautiful geographical name for the world’s newest adventurer.

Not sure you have the perfect name? to add more baby names to your My Favorites list. : Dacia – Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity

Why is the Dacia Duster so popular?

The lower price of LPG brings the potential for massive savings, and the fact that it has two fuel tanks means it has a combined range of more than 800 miles. The Duster is in a relatively low insurance group, and Dacia is able to offer some very attractive PCP finance deals due to the car’s impressive resale values.

Where is Dacia most popular?

France remains Dacia’s biggest market, with 130,800 cars registered there, while UK sales increased by an impressive 55 per cent in 2022, with 27,220 vehicles sold in Britain last year. One in three Dacias sold are supplied with the Bi-Fuel option, which allows them to be run on LPG gas, as well as petrol.

Are Dacia cars expensive to repair

At Wilsons Dacia in Epsom, Surrey – What does a Dacia fixed price service cost? The price of your Dacia service depends on the model you’re driving and the type of service it requires. Dacia servicing costs from £159 for vehicles registered after January 2011.

1. For a full quote on your required maintenance, get in touch with the after sales department at Wilsons today.
2. ​ Are Dacia parts cheap? Dacia parts are easily obtained and manufactured to keep costs down, meaning they’re inexpensive compared to parts for other makes.
3. The cost of a particular component, of course, depends on what it is – windscreen wipers cost from £20, while front brake pads cost from £89.

For a quote on the Dacia parts you need, contact us today. What does the Dacia warranty cover? The Dacia new car warranty covers your vehicle for the first three years or 60,000 miles from the date of its registration. Any issues arising from faulty mechanical or electrical components can be taken care of free of charge – this excludes repairs required as a result of normal wear and tear.

​ How much does a Dacia major service cost? The cost of a major service on your Dacia depends on the model you drive, and whether any additional issues are identified during the service. Typically you can expect to pay from £220. For a full quote tailored to your vehicle, get in touch with us at Wilsons today.

​ What’s included in Dacia service? The type of service you require will dictate what is included in it. An interim service includes inspections of the exhaust and suspension systems, as well as top-ups on fluid levels where necessary. A major service adds checks of other components and includes the replacement of fuel and pollen filters.​ How often should I change my Dacia brake fluid? Your brake fluid will typically only need changing every two years or 24,000 miles, and will be done as part of your major service.

• Should you cover a higher mileage or feel that your brake fluid may need changing sooner, please get in touch with our after sales department today.
• We’ll be happy to carry out a check and replacement where necessary.​ What are the Dacia running costs? The running costs associated with your Dacia largely depend on the model you have chosen, the engine size and fuel type of the vehicle and your driving habits.

Four-wheel drive vehicles such as the Dacia Duster, for example, are heavier and have higher running costs than those of smaller models like the Sandero. Find out more by contacting us today.​ What is the Dacia Duster service schedule? Dacia recommends that all its models, including the Duster, are serviced every year or every 12,000 miles – whichever comes first.

If you are unsure when your next service is due, feel free to contact us at Wilsons and we’ll be able to help. ​ What does a Dacia timing belt change cost? The cost of a Dacia timing belt replacement starts from £389. This includes the cost of the parts and VAT for a new timing belt, accessory belt and water pump.

Prices vary according to the model you drive, so contact us at Wilsons for a full quote and to book your vehicle in. ​ Is a Dacia extended warranty worth it? The Dacia extended warranty gives you continued peace of mind over and above that offered by the standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

What is Dacia most sold car?

THE FOUR MAIN MODELS POWERED PERFORMANCE – Dacia Sandero sales rose 24% year on year to 138,978 vehicles. Sandero has been Europe’s best-selling car among retail customers since 2017. Dacia Duster sales grew 13% compared to H1 2022, reaching 111,891 units, and this model has kept its position on the podium for SUV sales to retail customers in Europe.

Is Dacia Duster a reliable car?

The Duster’s lowly safety rating might be a concern for some buyers, although Driver Power customer feedback is improving – 15 Jun 2023 Find your Dacia Duster Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors. Find your perfect new car Or are you looking to sell your car? Advertisement ​With the budget price comes one or two compromises, but safety is something many buyers will be unwilling to sacrifice. In an age when many cars seem to receive a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the second-generation Dacia Duster only managed three stars.

• Not only is this the same rating it received in 2011, but two of the scores have actually decreased in the six years between the two tests.
• Of course, the test has become tougher, but adult and child occupant protection scores of 71 per cent and 66 per cent respectively aren’t even close to class best.

Scores of 57 per cent for pedestrian safety and 37 per cent for safety assist technology are nothing to write home about, either. Safety devices such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keeping assist simply aren’t available, while blind spot monitoring is only offered on the top-spec Journey and Extreme SE models.

Has the Dacia got a Renault engine?

Who makes Dacia engines? – Dacia has been owned by Groupe Renault since 1999 so despite being a Romanian brand, all its engines, both petrol and diesel, are borrowed from Renault and can be found in various Renault models such as the Clio and Captur.

Is Dacia cheap to repair

Why are Dacia reliable? – These results may come as a bit of a shock to some, as it is widely assumed that Dacia produces unreliable cars. One of the reasons Dacia have been considered unreliable is because at one point in their history, they were. But as we mentioned before, this was in communist Romania, a country that was shut off from the rest of the West and therefore lacked the technology and had yet to develop their own technology to improve their cars.

1. That’s essentially the reason they were so unreliable.
2. But Romania hasn’t been communist since the revolution in 1989, so why do people still think Dacia aren’t reliable? Possibly because they are so cheap.
3. Dacia produces some of the cheapest cars on the market and definitely produce the cheapest SUV’s.

In fact, some of their SUV’s cost less than many city cars. So people assume that cheap = unreliable. Yet, this has been disproven several times in regards to several different things, particularly with cars. It is assumed that the more executive and expensive the car, the more reliable.

• When this is not the case at all.
• And one of the reasons this is not the case is because of the amount of technology that is in these cars.
• While this extra tech is great for drivers and it makes the car more appealing, it is not always reliable.
• Many have put unreliability down to an increase in complicated technology that is prone to problems.

Looking to get an affordable SUV? Watch our in-depth review of the Dacia Duster for more information about the modern and robust SUV. And Dacia? Well, Dacia doesn’t have any of that. Dacia is all about keeping costs low, meaning that you won’t be getting a lot of complex technology,

• The drivers know this, and it’s why people choose Dacia’s.
• But this means that there are no problems because there is no complex technology to go wrong.
• That’s not to say there isn’t technology onboard a Dacia, it’s just not as advanced as the tech you would see in an Audi or Mercedes,
• And that simply means that they are more reliable.

Not only that, but they are also cheap to repair. The parts are common and easy to source, meaning that you won’t have to fork out a fortune for the repair costs. So there are a few reasons why Dacia are reliable. Considering getting a Dacia Sandero? Check out our full Youtube review to learn more about the tough yet comfortable hatchback.

Is Dacia fuel efficient?

What are the running costs? – Although the Duster’s running costs might not be the lowest (there’s no plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, for instance), once you factor in the low cash prices and finance costs and this must be one of – if not the – cheapest family-sized SUVs to be in.

1. Under the more stringent WLTP fuel efficiency tests that are designed to better replicate real-world driving, the front-wheel drive (4×2) Blue dCi 115 diesel performs best, managing nearly 60mpg.
2. Four-wheel drive versions aren’t that far behind, either.
3. The worst performers economy-wise are the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bi-Fuel TCe 100 models.

These can run on petrol or LPG, but it’s worth noting that economy drops when they’re using LPG. However, you can justify the added consumption because the fuel is much cheaper to buy – LPG typically costs between a half and two-thirds the price of unleaded petrol.

1. Just remember that LPG pumps aren’t as common in the UK as they used to be, so you’ll need to research whether there are enough in your area to make the Duster LPG worth your while.
2. There are only around 1,400 left, where there were three times as many 20 years ago.
3. Dacia says that for owners of Bi-Fuel cars, cost savings for those running exclusively on LPG work out at around £1,650 over the course of three years on an average annual mileage.

Overall, the Duster range isn’t as impressive in the miles per pound ratings as we would have expected, given its economical status, with a spread of 4.9 – 7.7 mpp. Off-roader emissions are typically higher than equivalent hatchbacks, due to their additional weight and bluff aerodynamics. There are a number of cheap-to-fuel Duster options – we rather rate the BiFuel LPG system.

Do Dacia use Mercedes engines?

What’s it like to drive? – Dacia is an adjunct of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, so it uses technology and engines from that group. Powering the Duster is a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines that you’d therefore find in various Renault, Nissan and even Mercedes-Benz (through Merc’s agreement with the alliance) models.

• That includes this 1.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder 150 TCe engine, as tested here.
• This is the most powerful unit Dacia has ever fitted to a production car, with 150hp and 250Nm, and installed in a vehicle which weighs a relatively light 1263kg, the performance is sprightly and willing, albeit not face-bendingly quick.

The new EDC dual-clutch transmission is very good, though, and Dacia must be given extra points for putting the sequential shift gate to the side of ‘D’ the correct way around – if you want to be in manual mode, knock the lever over to the left and then you pull back on the shifter to go up a gear, or push it forward to go down.

So many other car companies do this the other way around, which goes against natural weight transfer during acceleration and braking phases, and it does our nut in quite frankly, so bravo to Dacia for doing things right. Anyway, you have to shift on the lever because Dacia doesn’t equip paddles on the steering wheel.

The swiftest Duster this might be, with a 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds – being the only model to crack the 10-second barrier – and a top speed of 124mph, but it isn’t aiming to be sporty. The suspension set-up is soft and the tyres on the 16-inch alloys of our Comfort-spec model have a generous application of sidewall, so the handling is somewhat loose on the Duster TCe 150.

1. But it’s not poor, by any means, as the recalibrated power steering is pleasant enough to use and the body control is kept tidy no matter what provocation you throw at the Dacia.
2. Better yet is the refinement, because the Duster has a smooth, accommodating ride quality and pretty good noise suppression in the cabin, although elevated road-roar and wind buffeting about the windscreen does hint at where Dacia has saved the development dosh.

Go for a Prestige model and you get an acoustic windscreen fitted to reduce the background hubbub in the cabin of a Dacia Duster travelling at speed.

Does the Dacia Duster have a Mercedes engine

New Dacia Duster Extreme SE 2022 review The Extreme SE derivative adds a welcome dash of style to the Duster Prestige for a modest premium, helping to distract from its cheaper-feeling elements. The mid-range Comfort trim level remains our pick of the range – it’s just an all-round better bet on value for money – but if you want a practical crossover with more kerb appeal while keeping to a tight budget, then the Duster Extreme SE is a good option.

1. In terms of pure value for money, the is unbeatable among the ranks.
2. However, you do have to make some compromises to make the low price possible, one notable area being style.
3. Sister brand has sought to address this, however, with the new,
4. Using the previously range-topping Prestige-trimmed Duster as a base, it builds on that car’s strong standard spec list with various cosmetic tweaks.

First off, there’s the new and exclusive Urban Grey paintwork on the options list. There are new orange accents on the mirrors, grille and the ‘Duster’ lettering above the rear number plate, plus gloss-black wheels. The theme continues inside, where the Extreme SE has been treated to gloss-black door cards, satin chrome air vent surrounds and a whole lot more orange – on the heater vents, door pulls, and the stitching on the part-artificial leather seats.

This treatment doesn’t look drastic on paper, but the changes work nicely, giving the Duster a noticeable uplift in kerb appeal. Inside, meanwhile, the Dacia’s cabin feels far less staid, with those splashes of orange lightening the mood. Given that the Extreme SE makeover doesn’t have any mechanical upgrades, our TCe 130 4×2 version drives like any other Duster with that engine.

The 128bhp 1.3-litre in-line four-cylinder – an engine shared with the – can sound coarse, particularly at higher revs, but as a unit that’s happy to pull strongly in the mid-range, this isn’t so much of an issue. It makes most of its power at 4,000rpm (peaking at 5,000rpm), while a generous 240Nm of torque arrives at just 1,600rpm.

1. Fuel economy is respectable, with an official combined figure of 49.6mpg.
2. Our test, which featured a lot of motorway driving, yielded an average figure of 38mpg.
3. Getting consumption to start with a 4 shouldn’t take too much effort.
4. The 1.3 is probably the pick of the bunch, because the 88bhp 1.0-litre triple isn’t much more economical, but can feel gutless.

There’s also a more economical 1.5-litre diesel engine (the only choice if you want four-wheel drive), but it’s not as powerful as the 130 and is more expensive to buy. The Duster has MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link rear set-up.

The ride can get quite busy on less smooth roads, struggling to settle, but it rarely crashes over bigger imperfections. Two factors make it surprisingly fun to drive along a twisty road, despite this not being a necessary part of the repertoire of a car like this. Firstly, there’s a satisfying manual gearshift.

And secondly, the Dacia tips the scales at less than 1,300kg. Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy. So it’s quite an easy and enjoyable car to hustle around, even if the steering is a touch light and doesn’t offer much in the way of feedback.

1. Grip levels are acceptable, but there is quite a bit of body roll.
2. Despite sitting on what is quite an old platform now, the Dacia continues to score well on practicality.
3. The livened-up cabin feels spacious, with a high roof and adequate legroom in the back.
4. The boot space of 445 litres (1,623 with the rear seats folded) is commendable given the car’s compact size.

A lot of the plastics – particularly those used for the main part of the dash and the door cards – feel cheap, but this is made up for by the infotainment, which is impressive considering the Duster’s low price. In the Extreme SE, plus the Comfort and Prestige-trimmed cars, it is a reasonably responsive eight-inch touchscreen and includes and connectivity.

Model:	Dacia Duster Extreme SE Tce 130 4×2
Price:	£19,195
Engine:	1.3-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power/torque:	128bhp/240Nm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
0-62mph:	10.6 seconds
Top speed:	120mph
Economy:	49.6mpg
CO2:	141g/km
On sale:	Now

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Do Dacia use Nissan engines

Dacia Duster vs Nissan Qashqai: 2022 group test review is pushing full steam ahead with an updated range of cars that appeal to the budget-conscious buyer. We’ve been really impressed with the all-new and its chunky Stepway alter ego, and there’s even a brand-new model in the form of the Jogger seven-seater on the way.

Plus there’s this: an updated version of the familiar SUV. It’s not a totally new model like the Sandero, but there are a handful of changes to keep the car up to date. Picking out competition for the Duster is tricky. Yes, there are plenty of crossovers and SUVs on the market to choose from, but very few that are quite as cheap as the Duster – prices start from just £14,295 and even the top-spec model with every extra available doesn’t break £22,000.

For that reason, the plucky SUV is often considered more of a rival for a used car than other new models, which is why we’re pitching it here against a second-hand, You can pick up a Qashqai that’s a few years old for around the same price as a new Duster, and because Dacia’s sister brand Renault is linked to, these two cars actually use the same 1.3-litre engine, albeit in a different configuration.

Model:	Dacia Duster TCe 130 4×2 Comfort
Price:	£16,845
Engine:	1.3-litre 4cyl turbo, 128bhp
0-62mph:	10.6 seconds
Test economy:	42.4mpg/9.3mpl
CO2:	141g/km
Annual road tax:	£155

The we’re testing is a TCe 130 car with front-wheel drive, a six-speed manual gearbox and in Comfort trim, which is likely to be a popular choice. On paper it’s the sweet spot of the range for value, but how does it hold up on the road? Design & engineering The latest Duster is not all-new, merely a heavy update of the car that made its debut in 2017.

It uses the same platform as before, and many of the same engines are available. The 1.3-litre turbo petrol on our car is joined to a six-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels. This motor is also available with a DCT automatic transmission for the first time as part of this facelift, but that version has a bit more power.

The one were driving has 128bhp and 240Nm of torque, so it’s pretty close to the Nissan. The 1.3-litre engine is an improvement over the previous 1.6-litre unit, and produces lots of torque from low down in the rev range, so the Duster is more modern-feeling than before to drive.

This latest Duster gets a new grille, some different wheel designs and, most notably, an updated set of lights with a different LED light signature. The Dacia’s interior has hardly changed from before, though. There’s a new centre console and upgraded infotainment, but the changes are pretty minor and don’t really alter the overall impression, which is of a very cheap car that isn’t pretending to be anything else.

The materials are hard and scratchy, but it all seems well enough put together and you can forgive the low-rent feel in what is one of the cheapest SUVs you can buy. Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy. You get plenty of standard equipment with Comfort trim, though.

Air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, electric windows, a leather steering wheel, cloth seats, a reversing camera, parking sensors and cruise control are all fitted as standard. You also get an eight-inch infotainment screen, including smartphone connectivity. Driving Sharing so much in common with the pre-facelift Duster, a similar driving experience is to be expected, and that’s exactly the case.

On the whole the Dacia is comfortable and smooth enough, although there is some vibration on rougher roads. The overall suspension set-up is quite soft, and that means over uneven surfaces it never fully settles down; body movements make their way into the cabin more than they do in the Qashqai.

• The ride is smoother on the motorway, but the slightly uncomfortable seats mean that it’s not the best companion for long-distance drives.
• There’s a touch more wind and road noise than in its rival, too, although it’s not unbearably loud at high speed.
• In bends the Duster falls behind the Nissan, because it has more body roll and less grip than its rival.

It’s no driver’s car, but then neither is the Qashqai; these models are designed to be driven in a relaxed way, so this isn’t much of a concern. The 1.3-litre engine is a strong point as far as the driving experience goes, because it’s quiet and smooth.

It’s unintrusive even if you bring the revs up – yet you never need to, because it’s really punchy from low in the rev range. In fact, you can drive it like a diesel motor, keeping revs down and using the torque to make progress. It has the same 240Nm of torque as the Nissan but it’s a lighter car, so it feels slightly punchier from low speed than its rival.

The six-speed manual gearbox isn’t very pleasant to use because there’s a lot of slack in the linkage and the gearlever itself feels very cheap to hold. It does the job, but robs some enjoyment from driving on country roads. This isn’t new, though, because the old Duster also had a bit of a disappointing gearchange as well.

1. The Nissan’s is better, but not by a huge amount; a is better than both.
2. Practicality Put the driving to one side, and the Duster’s greatest strength on the new-car market is how much space it offers for the cash.
3. The boot has a generous 478-litre capacity that expands to 1,623 litres when you fold down the rear seats, and its big, square shape and low opening mean that loading large items is a breeze.

There’s plenty of room in the back seats as well, and although the cheap-feeling materials mean it’s hardly a luxurious place to travel, they appear hard-wearing and should stand up to some punishment if you’ll be carrying kids around. Smaller passengers will like the large windows; not only is it easy to see out, but it’s bright inside, too.

1. Ownership One downside of the Dacia’s budget nature is that the latest driver-assist systems are in short supply.
2. As a result, the Duster scored only three stars when the previous model was tested in 2017.
3. This latest version benefits from more kit, including a reversing camera and autonomous emergency braking in Comfort trim.

The Qashqai was tested to less stringent standards in 2014, but achieved a maximum five-star rating. Dacia struggled in the 2021 Driver Power survey, coming in 27th, and last, place in the manufacturer list. But you have to remember this is a new car, so it gets more warranty than the Nissan and even comes with three years’ worth of breakdown cover.

• The Duster also sits in a lower insurance group than the Nissan and service plans are quite a bit cheaper, too, so the overall running costs of the Dacia, along with peace of mind from its factory warranty as a new car, mean it does well here.
• Testers’ notes
• “The Duster’s jacked-up stance and chunky tyres mean it’s good for light off-roading, even in two-wheel-drive form, unlike the road-biased Qashqai”

Model:	Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T 140 N-Connecta
Price:	£18,000
Engine:	1.3-litre 4cyl turbo, 138bhp
0-62mph:	10.5 seconds
Test economy:	38.0mpg/8.4mpl
CO2:	121g/km
Annual road tax:	£155

The has always been among the top sellers in the UK, and there are a huge number to choose from on the used market. The car in our pictures is a 69-plate model with a 1.3-litre petrol engine and an auto gearbox, but for the purposes of this test we’re looking at a model with a manual gearbox to match the Duster’s.

• In N-Connecta trim you can buy one with around 15,000 miles on the clock for roughly £18,000, which is just over £300 more than the Dacia with options included (paint and a spare wheel).
• Negotiate a bit and the price could be identical.
• Design & engineering While they look nothing alike, there are similarities between the Qashqai and the Duster under the skin.

In particular, both use a version of the same 1.3-litre engine, but in the Qashqai it’s a little bit more powerful: 138bhp, to the Duster’s 128bhp. Both have the same torque figure of 240Nm at 1,600rpm, though. The two cars also have a six-speed manual gearbox, send their drive to the front wheels, and use a similar torsion-beam suspension layout at the rear.

1. When the Qashqai was new, it felt a bit cheaper inside than most of its rivals, but next to a new Duster it actually feels like a step up.
2. There are more soft-touch materials in key places, so the Nissan’s cabin feels like a more pleasant space in which to spend long trips – assuming, of course, that the two-year-old car you’re buying has been well looked after by its previous owners.

The Nissan is better equipped than the Dacia, too. This N-Connecta trim level comes with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind-spot assist, autonomous braking, parking sensors and a rear camera, climate and cruise control. It’s worth noting that some things such as heated seats and LED lights were available as part of option packs on the Qashqai, and the first owner may have specified them.

1. In many cases they don’t increase the cost of a used car by much, so you might get lucky and find a model with those included at a good price.
2. Driving The second-generation Qashqai was on sale for many years, so there are loads for sale with different engines, but we reckon this 1.3-litre model is the best of the lot.

The engine is much more pleasant to use than the older 1.2-litre petrol, because it’s quieter and has lots of torque for a relaxing driving experience. The clutch and gearbox aren’t easy to use smoothly because they both feel slightly imprecise, but the Dacia suffers from the same problem.

The engines in both cars are very good from an all-round perspective, and provide a punchy power delivery combined with reasonable refinement under anything other than hard acceleration. As with the Dacia, the Nissan’s suspension is soft, but the Qashqai is more composed, comfortable and grippy through the corners.

The Nissan isn’t totally relaxed at speed, and there are other rivals that are quite a bit more comfortable, but next to the Dacia it does feel noticeably more refined. This is in large part thanks to it being a lot quieter in the cabin, with wind and road noise better suppressed, while the seats are also more supportive.

It means that if you do a lot of long-distance journeys, then the Qashqai is the model to choose. Around town, there’s not a huge difference between the two, but the Nissan is slightly quieter here as well. The Qashqai’s steering has a little more weight than the Duster’s; although that makes it feel more natural on the open road, its new challenger is slightly easier when driving in urban areas – a quality backed up by the Dacia’s superior visibility.

Practicality Access to the Qashqai’s back seats is easy. The doors open wide, and once inside there’s plenty of space for adults or children. Isofix mounts allow the safe installation of child seats, and both cars have them. The Nissan’s are located behind removable covers, which are slightly easier to access than the Duster’s brackets.

• However, the Nissan isn’t as practical as its rival overall.
• The boot capacity is 430 litres, which isn’t great for a SUV of this size, and puts it behind its rival here.
• Fold the seats down and there’s 1,598 litres, which is good, but still behind the Duster for total volume.
• It’s also only able to tow up to 1,300kg, yet the Duster can pull a 1,500kg trailer.

Ownership Dacia didn’t do very well in the 2021 Driver Power survey, but Nissan wasn’t a shining star either, finishing in 18th place overall. Plus, because this is a used car we’re reviewing, you will only have one year’s worth of the manufacturer’s warranty remaining (on a 69-plate car) or possibly less – and servicing costs for the Qashqai are also higher than for the Duster.

1. However, the Qashqai is a safer choice.
2. It scored five stars in its Euro NCAP crash test in 2014, and the version we’re testing comes with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and six airbags.
3. This level of safety equipment is head and shoulders above what you get in the Dacia.

Running costs The Qashqai proved to be thirstier than the Duster on our test, returning 38mpg. Having taken a depreciation hit already, you do get more for your money when buying though – especially considering all the extra kit for the same price. Yet running costs will be a little higher for the Nissan, with less warranty to fall back on, and consumables like tyres and brakes more likely to be closer to the end of their life.

• The Dacia’s residual value of 53.7 per cent shows that because it’s already so cheap as a new car, it doesn’t actually lose a lot when you come to sell.
• Testers’ notes “The 1.3-litre engine in both cars is widely used; it’s even found in some Mercedes models.
• That’s good news when it comes to parts availability.” First place: Dacia Duster This is a very close result, but the Dacia is our choice right now.

High used-car prices plus great PCP deals on the Duster mean that it’s better value, and it comes with everything you need in terms of kit. It’s really roomy inside, has a much bigger boot than the Nissan’s, plus better infotainment tech, and the engine, although less powerful, feels just as punchy and relaxing to use.

• Second place: Nissan Qashqai The Qashqai is better to drive than the Duster – quieter, more comfortable and secure – and the cabin feels plusher.
• But it’s not as practical and its infotainment is clunky.
• You don’t get the peace of mind that comes with a new car, plus high used-car prices mean that right now, it isn’t the best value.

Poorer fuel economy and higher running costs mean it must settle for second.

• Used: SsangYong Tivoli 1.2 Ventura
• Price: £17,345 
• Engine: 1.2-litre 3cyl, 126bhp

Another budget contender in the SUV segment, the Tivoli is great value and looks a little less rugged than the Duster. It’s slightly quieter on the road, too, while its three-cylinder engine has almost as much power as the Duster’s four-cylinder unit. Skoda Karoq

• Used: Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI SE (2018)
• Price: £18,000 
• Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 148bhp

The Karoq is an excellent family SUV with a punchy, quiet and efficient range of engines, a comfortable ride, lots of space and up-to-date tech. You’ll have to go for a lower spec or higher miles to just squeeze in under budget, but it’s still a top choice.

	Dacia Duster TCe 130 4×2 Comfort	Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T 140 N-Connecta
On the road price/total as tested	£16,845/£17,690	£18,000/£18,000*
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)	£9,046/53.7%	N/A
Depreciation	£7,799	N/A
Annual tax liability std/higher rate	£556/£1,113	N/A/N/A
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)	£1,857/£3,094	£2,072/£3,453
Insurance group/quote/VED	11/£472/£155	15/£668/£155
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service	£399 (3 years)	£640 (3 years)
Length/wheelbase	4,341/2,673mm	4,394/2,646mm
Height/width	1,693/1,804mm	1,590/1,806mm
Engine	4cyl in-line/1,332cc	4cyl in-line/1,332cc
Peak power/revs	128/4,500 bhp/rpm	138/5,000 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs	240/1,600 Nm/rpm	240/1,600 Nm/rpm
Transmission	6-speed man/fwd	6-speed man/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel	50 litres/£250	55 litres/varies
Boot capacity (seats up/down)	478/1,623 litres	430/1,598 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight	1,242/525/1,500kg	1,300/495/1,300kg
Turning circle	10.7 metres	10.7 metres
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery	3yrs (60,000)/3yrs	1yr remaining/none
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.	27th/N/A	18th/13th
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars	71/66/56/37/3 (2017)	88/83/69/79/5 (2014)
0-62mph/top speed	10.6 secs/120mph	10.5 secs/120mph
Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range	42.4/9.3/466 miles	38.0/8.3/460 miles
WLTP combined	45.6mpg	41.4 mpg
WLTP combined	10.0mpl	9.1mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket	154/141g/km/31%	172/121^g/km/N/A
Airbags/Isofix	Four/yes	Six/yes
Parking sensors/camera	Rear/yes	Front + rear/yes
Auto box/lane-keep/blindspot/AEB	No/no/no/yes	No/yes/yes/yes
Climate control/cruise control	Air-con/yes	Yes/yes
Leather/heated seats	No/no	No/opt
Metallic paint/LED lights	£595/no	Opt/opt
Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate	No/no	Keyless go/no
Sat-nav/digital dashboard	Yes/no	Yes/no
DAB/connected services	Yes/no	Yes/yes
Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto	No/yes/yes	No/yes/yes

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: Dacia Duster vs Nissan Qashqai: 2022 group test review

Do Dacia cars hold their value?

CAP claims that a typical Dacia Duster will retain 34 per cent of its value over a three-year period.

What is the most reliable Dacia model

Even when looking at the most popular Dacia models, the Duster and the Sandero received an average score of 87.83% as voted for by owners in the Auto Express survey. And what was the thing owners liked the most about their cars? Reliability came out as number one.

Is Dacia Duster a reliable car?

The Duster’s lowly safety rating might be a concern for some buyers, although Driver Power customer feedback is improving – 15 Jun 2023 Find your Dacia Duster Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors. Find your perfect new car Or are you looking to sell your car? Advertisement ​With the budget price comes one or two compromises, but safety is something many buyers will be unwilling to sacrifice. In an age when many cars seem to receive a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the second-generation Dacia Duster only managed three stars.

• Not only is this the same rating it received in 2011, but two of the scores have actually decreased in the six years between the two tests.
• Of course, the test has become tougher, but adult and child occupant protection scores of 71 per cent and 66 per cent respectively aren’t even close to class best.

Scores of 57 per cent for pedestrian safety and 37 per cent for safety assist technology are nothing to write home about, either. Safety devices such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keeping assist simply aren’t available, while blind spot monitoring is only offered on the top-spec Journey and Extreme SE models.

Is Dacia Sandero a reliable car?

Dacia did well in the 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey finishing in 10th place out of 32 brands included. Every new Sandero comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is par for the course in this class. Hyundai, Renault and MG all provide longer warranties as standard.