COMMERCIAL BREAK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Dacia's Duster Commercial delivers plenty of capability for not very much. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 45

Dacia's Duster Commercial is more of a car than a van - but it might suit a van user very well indeed, particularly if they need all-wheel drive. It's brilliant value, stoutly built and very capable. Accept its limitations and there's lots to like here.

Backgroundword count: 126

Welcome to the UK's most affordable 4x4 commercial vehicle, the Dacia Duster Commercial. We first saw this model as a van variant of the first generation Duster SUV, a version that sold in this utilitarian form between 2015 and 2017. When the second generation Duster design arrived shortly afterwards, Dacia took its time delivering a commercial vehicle variant, eventually doing so in 2021, then facelifting it shortly afterwards, before adding the marque's new corporate identity in August 2022. For such a presumably niche product, there's a wide range of engine and drive choices but the most unique confection tends to be the most popular one, Dacia's 1.5-litre dCi diesel paired with 4WD. For this money, there's nothing else to match the all-round capability of that package.

Driving Experienceword count: 239

Cut back on cost and you also cut back on expectations. Admit it - you didn't think this Duster was going to be any good at all to drive. You might be surprised. There's a choice of two petrol engines, both mated to front wheel drive. Things kick off with a three cylinder 1.0-litre Tce 90 unit offering 90hp and making 62mph in 13.1s en route to 103mph. If you can avoid base trim, you'll be offered the alternative four cylinder TCe 150 version, which only comes as an auto. This improves those figures to 9.7s and 124mph. If you need more grunt, you'll be directed towards the 1.5-litre dCi diesel, which puts out 115hp in both its forms - front-driven and 4WD. Both make 62mph in 10.3s. We'd recommend the 4x4 version, which uses the same Nissan-engineered three-mode system as the first generation Duster Commercial model, selectable via a rotary controller in front of the gear stick. Most of the time you'll be in '2WD', but in wet or icy conditions, there's the peace of mind of being able to switch seamlessly to 'Auto' so that extra traction will automatically cut in when necessary. For mud-plugging meanwhile, you'll want to keep all wheels turning permanently by switching to the 'Lock' setting offered with the plusher-trimmed version. All models get 350mm wading depth and a 30-degree approach angle. With the 4x4 version, ground clearance rises from 205 to 210mm.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227