Dacia’s brand-new Duster SUV has landed in the UK, priced from £18,745.

First deliveries of the new Duster are expected in November

Now in its third generation, the brand’s best-seller continues to deliver its value for money for focus while also debuting bolder design, greater interior comfort and space, and latest technologies that include hybrid powertrains.

It’s built on the Renault Group’s CMF-B platform – also used for the Dacia Jogger and Sandero alongside other group models such as the Renault Captur. While it’s a similar length to before, the Duster’s new platform creates more space for passengers and their luggage. Boot space increases from 442 litres to up to 472 litres for the 4×2 version. It also gets a new roof rack, able to hold up to 80kg and fastening onto the modular roof bars in the transverse position, or to aftermarket roof bars.

The latest Duster also benefits from reduced vibration and noise from the road, thanks to the new platform, while enhanced dynamic behaviour translates into greater stability during cornering with less body roll.

Offroad versions are more capable too, with up to 217mm of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of 31 and 36 degrees, and a new 4×4 Terrain Control that offers a choice of five modes to match the prevailing conditions. In addition, a new Hill Descent Control automatically regulates the Duster’s speed during steep descents.

The switch to the CMF-B platform also enables new hybrid powertrains. These include the Hybrid 140 already seen in the Jogger, along with the Renault Clio. The full hybrid combines a 94hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and a clutchless gearbox. It’s married up with an automatic gearbox and able to drive in all-electric mode up to 80% of the time in cities, according to the carmaker, reducing consumption by up to 40%  on the urban cycle.

The powertrain line-up also includes a TCe 130 mild hybrid that combines a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 48V motor which aids the combustion engine when starting off or accelerating, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by about 10%. It’s available with a six-speed manual gearbox and two- and four-wheel drive versions.

The hybrids are joined by a TCe 100 Bi-Fuel powertrain that continues Dacia’s work in the use of LPG. It offers a combined range of more than 800 miles (WLTP) thanks to its dual 50-litre tanks. A dash-mounted button switches between petrol and LPG quickly and the bi-fuel Duster emits on average around 10% less CO2 than a comparable petrol engine.

Four trim levels are available – Essential, Expression, Journey and Extreme.

Standard equipment across all versions includes air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, and an array of advanced driver assistance systems, including Dacia’s My Safety button that allows drivers to quickly access their preferred configuration.

All models come with Dacia’s YouClip invention, which enables drivers to fix accessories such as a tablet stand in specific areas in the passenger compartment. Essential trim comes with three clips, while the other grades feature five.

The lead-in Essential trim starts at £18,745 and comes equipped with a Y-shaped LED lighting signature, roof bars, tinted windows, front electric windows with driver’s one-touch operation, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, automatic central locking, analogue dials with 3.5-inch driver display, and Dacia’s Media Control system.

Safety and driver assistance systems deliver six airbags, cruise control with speed limiter, traffic sign recognition with speed alert, rear parking sensors, driver attention warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, advanced emergency braking system, vehicle dynamic control and hill start assist.

Next up is the Expression trim, priced from £21,245 and adding body-coloured door handles, grey door mirrors, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, automatic wipers, electric parking brake, rear electric windows, 7-inch digital driver display, adaptive hill descent control on 4×4 models, rear camera, and 10.1-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Journey builds on this with dark tinted windows, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, keyless entry, automatic air con, front and rear parking sensors, Multiview camera, blind spot warning, 10.1-inch Media Nav Live with Connected Navigation and six speakers, and a wireless phone charger. Prices start at £22,945.

The top-run Extreme starts from £23,745 and gets 18-inch semi-diamond-cut alloy wheels, brown copper door mirrors, modular roof bars, synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, six-way adjustable front passenger seat, brown copper air vent inserts, rubber floor and cargo mats.

First deliveries of the new Duster are expected in November. The line-up is also expected to again include a Duster Commercial version, although details haven’t been announced.