• All-new dashboard looks much better
• Built to a cost, but not overly obvious
• Clever YouClip system for accessories

How’s the quality and the layout?

This point is one of the Duster’s biggest areas of improvement over the old one. While the old version felt useful and neatly laid out, it also felt very cheap despite regular improvements to the infotainment and technology. In this one, the layout is smart and modern, with plenty of neat design features that have carried across from the car’s exterior. But quality is still not up to scratch, with some of the trims and materials feeling on the scratchy side – it’s behind the MG ZS in this area, too.

Crucially, the new Duster still has a welcome number of physical buttons for details like the car’s climate control and safety systems. And that’s despite the increasing amount of digital details, including digital instruments in Expression trim and above and a large central touchscreen. The interior layout itself is also filled with cubbies and places to store things, including a double-deck storage area in the lower part of the dashboard, two good-sized cupholders and even a pen holder.

The new Duster also benefits from the brand’s new YouClip system that allows you to purchase handy accessories anchored onto a universal clip point. There are a couple dotted around the interior, and options include additional cupholders and phone holders. Elsewhere, the Dacia brand’s range of InNature add-ons includes things like a properly tough-looking roof rack and a specific version of the brand’s Sleep Pack that fits inside the Duster’s boot.

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Infotainment and tech

If you choose the basic Essential trim, the dashboard features a holder for your smartphone rather than a central touchscreen – in many ways, we’re a huge fan of this, allowing your phone to do the heavy lifting instead of an entry-level infotainment set-up. However, go for Expression and above and you benefit from a large 10.1-inch central touchscreen with Dacia’s own sat-nav and entertainment set-up.

Instead of using Renault’s Google-based system, the technology is all its own with very clear and simple graphics, and reasonably quick responses and easy-to-read mapping. It lags behind the MG ZS in terms of look, feel and responsiveness, and the overall feel of not quite being good enough is exaggerated by the comically blurry view from the reversing camera.

Like other cars from both Renault and Nissan, the Duster also has a one-button-press ‘Perso’ mode for tweaking the safety aids (including a deeply irritating speed warning system) on or off in an instant. For those who don’t like driver aids chiming at them on the move, this is a very good thing.

Comfort

Another area of improvement for this generation of Duster, as well as Dacias as a whole, is the increased comfort and level of adjustment for those inside. Previous Dacias have either lacked thigh support or good back support in the seats, or sub-optimal places to put your feet, but not here.

There’s good adjustment in the driver’s seat to be found, and the seats can be upholstered in some soft yet hard-wearing materials. The driver’s seat is a bit on the flat side, and could invoke backache on longer drives – if this could be you, try and arrange a longer test drive.

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