Dacia Duster Commercial Review 2024
Dacia Duster Commercial At A Glance
The Duster Commercial is built to the same blueprint as the Dacia car range, which means it's basic and cheap to buy. Prices start at less than £10,000 and all models will carry a Euro pallet and a maximum payload of 550kg. Admittedly, the Duster scores low when it comes to on-road refinement and handling, but it’s near unbeatable on value and surprisingly competent off-road.
Dacia is no stranger to commercial vehicles – it’s been selling them in Europe since the 1970s – but 2015 marked the first time that it officially offered a factory-built van in the UK. The Duster Commercial is effectively a factory-conversion of the standard car, which means the rear seats have been replaced with a 1.4 metre cargo deck and the rear doors have been retained, along with the windows.
The Duster Commercial has just one engine - Renault's tried and test 1.5-litre dCi diesel - with 107PS and peak torque of 240Nm. Four-wheel drive versions are more expensive, but worth paying the extra for due to their impressive off-roading ability, which allows the Duster to reach rural or remote areas with ease.
Inside the Duster Commercial is unapologetically basic, with lots of cheap and dark plastics - there's little in the way of standard equipment. The load area is practical though and will take anything up to 1.4 metres in length, while the metre width between the wheel arches allows a euro pallet to be carried sideways.
The Duster does have a few weak points. There's no protection for the windows, the interior is prone to damage and there's no full-size bulkhead fitted as standard. The rear window also lacks cladding or cover, which allows prying eyes to see what's being carried in the back.
The Dacia won’t win any prizes for refinement - the engine is noisy and there’s lots of road noise. The handling also lacks precision and feel, while the suspension is prone to pitching heavily in the corners, which usually results in unsecured loads toppling over in the back. Yet, despite its obviously shortcomings, the Dacia Duster is still outstanding value and an attractive choice for those who need a small van with off-road capability.