New and improved Commercial could be the cheapest way into Duster ownership…
By Cam Tait / Wednesday, 3 August 2022 / Loading comments
Did you look at the new Dacia Duster and think “I wish it had fewer seats and was eligible for tax deduction”? Well, you’re in luck. The Romanian company has revealed a revised Duster Commercial with all the design updates and a whole new trim level (whoopee!) of the recently revised crossover – and it could be the cheapest way into Duster ownership.
So, what’s changed? Take a closer look at the grille and you’ll spot the company’s new brand logo, which, to our eyes at least, looks a little bit like the DMC badge minus the middle bit. It blends in nicely with the new grille, which now features two rows of vertical silver stripes emanating from the badge. The visual changes are just as radical at the rear, with the old Dacia badge now being replaced by the Duster name below the rear window.
Oh, and there’s the new trim level called ‘Expression’, which is about as luxurious as you can get for an mega-basic van. This brings 16-inch wheels, front fogs, a rear-view camera and parking sensors, along with a centre-locking differential on 4×4 models. Inside, things get seriously jazzy with an eight-inch infotainment screen that’s compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Go for the even cheaper Essential model and you’ll have to make do with using your phone for all your infotainment needs.
The rest of the Duster Commercial remains the same as the pre-facelift. That means you get the same two-seater configuration with a permanent boot space of 1,623 litres and hefty 503kg payload capacity. The engine line-up remains unchanged, too, with a three-cylinder petrol engine available in either 90 or 150hp outputs, along with a 1.5-litre diesel churining out 115hp. All-wheel drive can be specced as well for those looking to do some serious building work and/or removals in the middle of nowhere.
Here’s where things get a little complicated. The Duster Commercial has a starting price of £13,995 before VAT, making it the cheapest version of the crossover available if you purchase it through a business and deduct the tax. For personal use, it’ll work out more expensive than the regular Duster crossover. Either way, it’s cheaper than pretty much anything on four wheels and, given that it’s super basic, won’t become obsolete the moment a new model is announced. Just like the good ol’ days.
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