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The start point for the best source of fleet information |
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According to Renault's budget brand Dacia, its Duster is both the UK's cheapest SUV and 4x4.
The range starts at just £8995 for the sparsely equipped and horrendously inefficient two-wheel drive 1.6 petrol, but the fleet market will probably be most interested in the all-wheel drive diesel, particularly those firms needing off-road capability for working tools.
Dacia's plan is to offer basic vehicles sold without discount to fleet or retail, and give customers the option to spec up options they require. This mid-spec Ambience model at £13,320 comes on 16-inch steel wheels and gets Bluetooth and USB connectivity, but only top-spec models get such luxuries as aircon, electric mirrors, alloys or trip computer.
The Duster has a certain promising utilitarian look to it, and the diesel's six-speed gearbox is a bonus at higher speed. It has decent rear occupant space, although the boot is shallow and only average for the class, at least in 4x4 spec where the drivetrain gobbles 35 litres of boot space. The hard plastic interior reflects the extreme budget status of the vehicle, but it should be hard-wearing, and there is more engine and road noise than you'd get with significantly more expensive rivals.
The driving experience is nothing to write home about, but also nothing to worry about, while the Duster 4x4 should also be rather competent away from the Tarmac.
This mid-spec 110hp diesel actually works out less costly to run than the £2705 cheaper entry-level 105hp petrol model thanks to CO2 of 137g/km and 185g/km respectively, to give the 1.5 dCi Ambiance a 38.4p per mile figure. RVs around 36-38% put the Duster at the same level as the Skoda Yeti and Vauxhall Mokka, but from a start point of more than £5000 cheaper than either. An equivalent Yeti, while hugely better in almost every way, would cost an extra 13.3p per mile to run.
The Duster certainly has its appeal as a completely no-frills working tool, but user choosers attracted by the low price will need to be prepared for a car that's cheaper for a reason.
| Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110 4x4 Ambiance | |
| P11D price | £13,320 |
| Model price range | £8770-£14,820 |
| Residual value | 35.3% |
| Depreciation | £8620 |
| Fuel | £7251 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £1768 |
| Vehicle Excise Duty | £360 |
| National Insurance | £1213 |
| Cost per mile | 38.4p |
| Fuel consumption | 53.3mpg |
| CO2 (tax) | 137g/km (21%) |
| BIK 20/40% per month | £47/£93 |
| Service interval | 12,000 miles |
| Insurance (1-50) | group 10 |
| Warranty | 3yrs/60,000 mls |
| Boot space min/max | 408/1570 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1461cc/110hp |
| Top speed/0-62mph | 104mph/12.5secs |
VerdictIt's a low price, but you get what you pay for. |
7/10 |
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