Dacia Duster (2018 version)

I have just acquired a new Duster with the 1.3 150hp engine. I would have preferred the Diesel, but the promotion on the petrol version was not resistable. I tow a small caravan, and checked out safety and suitability before making my purchase.

I have been impressed by the torque of this small engine, and have not missed the 2 litre diesel that I traded in.

The fittings are entirely adequate, although not luxurious, and the camera system is a real boon. Parking assist has made hitching up my caravan a much simpler task as I can now reverse the towbar precisely to sit under the caravan hitch, and the all round cameras have made it much easier to judge parking close to a kerb. That is essential for me as I have to keep the car on the road in a street that was never intended for parked vehicles.

So far both driving solo and towing have been comfortable, and I have found the more upright seating comfortable for an ageing driver.

My only gripe so far is with the sat nav, which is provided by Media Nav, apparently a Renault owned company. Its address list is less complete than on the Tom Tom system that I had previously, but even more to the point, its system for adding Points of Interest is rubbish. There is no facility for adding file sets of locations such as those often provided by everybody from supermarket chains to my caravan and camping clubs. That is really frustrating to put it mildly, and I ahve voiced a strong complaint with Renault.
The Media Nav system is otherwise pretty good, although it lacks the Tom Tom facility to send error or update reports. To date I have covered only a few hundred miles, but I do feel as if I have purchased a lot of car for my money, and with the three year initial warranty included feel pretty satisfied with my purchase.

I should add that I went close to the limit of my budget, and was additionally swayed by a promotion that included a full size spare wheel in the price. The cars are normally supplied with the foam emergency kits, and unfortunately the diesel options can only be fitted with a thin spare because of the position of the Ad Blue tank.