► Dacia Duster Cargo returns for a third time
► Small SUV-based van offers 4WD without pickup pricing
► Two hybrid engines, one trim, low cost
The latest generation of Dacia Duster has continued the model’s tradition of offering a budget commercial 4×4, with the Duster Cargo now on sale. The SUV has been morphed into a small van at Dacia’s factory, and provides access to a 4WD commercial vehicle without the need to upgrade to a full on pick-up truck.
The conversion sees the rear seats removed, a mesh bulkhead fitted, a wooden loadbay lining installed and the back windows blanked out. The idea being that it has to be impossible to return it to a passenger car. This allows it to be classified as a van for tax purposes, meaning prices start at £22,995, not including VAT. This is significantly cheaper than the lowest priced pickup truck, the GWM POER300, which starts at just under £31,500.
Even more notably, it is the cheaper of the two models in the Duster Cargo range that comes with the 4×4 tech – the mild hybrid model is also fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and off-roading tech such as hill-descent control and a terrain control system with five driving modes. Both models also get wheel-arch cladding and the ability to fit a snorkel should you really want to venture off the beaten track.
This mild-hybrid pairs a 132bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 48V motor that offers a little boost at departure and when accelerating. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and claims an official economy of 46.3mpg, a 0-62mph time of 11.0 seconds and 170lb ft of torque.
The full hybrid model offers 157bhp from its 1.8-litre petrol engine, electric motor and automatic gearbox combo, which results in a fractionally faster 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds and a combined economy rating of 59.0mpg. Both have a top speed of 112mph.
Ah, yes, here’s the slight rub – this is a standard Duster so it isn’t the biggest of things – it can’t hold a candle to a pick-up truck in terms of how much it can carry size or weight wise. The loading bay measures 700mm tall, 1,345mm in length and is 1,000mm wide.
Overall there is 1,030 litres of space – 0.97 cubic metres – in the rear. The mild hybrid can carry up to 410kg of payload while the full hybrid is able to take 430kg.
The Dacia Duster Cargo keeps things simple, with just the single Expression trim and only a few colours to choose from. The trim comes equipped with automatic wipers, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The safety and driver assistance systems include cruise control with speed limiter, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed assist, rear parking sensors and rear-view camera and hill start assist.
The cabin is unchanged from the car version and, to keep it even simpler, there are no options to choose from. The only thing you can spec is metallic paint and even then there are only two shades over the standard-fit white.
The Duster isn’t the bargain basement price that it once was, but it’s still pretty cheap when put against the rest of the commercial 4×4 class or the pick-up truck rivals, most of which start in the mid £30-thousands. The mild hybrid version with the 4WD system starts at £22,995 (not including VAT) while the full hybrid is £23,595. Both are available to order now and deliveries should start before the end of 2025.
Tom Webster is our Vans Editor, as well as being the Deputy Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, meaning he has a keen focus on all things vans and automotive ownership.
By Tom Webster
Vans editor across CAR and our sister brand Parkers.co.uk
