After taking an all-terrain drive a few years ago behind the wheel of a Dacia Duster (read or reread about this tour), I must admit that it was with some expectation that I was reunited with the most radical version of the Romanian SUV.
After all, if rationally the GPL variant I tested recently seems to be the one that makes the most sense in the entire Duster range, there's no denying that on a more emotional level the 4×4 version is the most appetizing.
Taking into account that this Duster 4×4 maintains all the rational arguments of the rest of the range (good habitability, robustness and good cost/equipment), with the addition of such an "emotional factor", will it have everything to establish itself as "the best Duster»? To find out, we put him to the test.
like yourself
As you can see from the photos that accompany this article, it is not at all easy to distinguish the Dusters with all-wheel drive from the less “adventurous” with only two drive wheels.
The only difference is a very discreet logo placed above the side indicators which, with the exception of the toll booths — who never stopped reminding me that this Duster was Class 2 — will go unnoticed by most passersby.
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Inside, if it weren't for the command of the all-wheel drive system and the control system in descent, we would hardly say that we were aboard the Duster 4×4. Another difference compared to other Dusters is the decrease in luggage capacity from 445 l to 411 l, as a result of the adoption of an independent rear suspension of the MacPherson type.
This small logo is the only element that "denounces" this version.
At the wheel of the Duster 4×4
If we choose to drive the Duster 4×4 only with front wheel drive (just turning the knob), the differences in driving this version in relation to the others are non-existent or very close to that.The behavior continues to tend more towards safe and comfortable than exhilarating and sharp, consumption remains moderate (I calmly averaged 4.6 l/100 km and it's not difficult to walk around 5.5-6 l/100 km) and the dominant note behind your wheel is how easy it is to drive.
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As for the engine, with 260 Nm of torque available at 1750 rpm, it proved to be very suitable for the Duster, allowing it to impose quite acceptable rhythms without difficulties, even with a full car. With the “ECO” mode activated, savings become the focus, but performance is not too impaired.
The only sign that this Duster isn't quite the same as the others is the (even) shorter scaling of the six-ratio manual gearbox. An option that becomes very easy to understand when we turn the knob to the “Auto” or “4Lock” positions.
By allowing us to go down "bad paths", this 4x4 version highlights the robustness of the Duster's interior.
in its natural habitat
When in these positions (“Auto” or “4Lock”), Duster “transforms” and allows us to go much further than we thought possible and I was able to see it first hand.
For years, on the way home I have come across an off-road climb whose "destiny" I have never tried to discover, as I have never been in control of the ideal car for that "mission".
Well, it was really with the Duster 4×4 that I decided to find out where the path would lead and the Romanian SUV didn't disappoint. First hitched, all-wheel drive locked, and the muddy, bumpy climb was climbed 'step by step', courtesy of that short gearbox.
Once the top was reached, a new challenge: a relatively deep ditch that forced the Dacia Duster to make a “beautiful” crossing of axes. Under these circumstances, the Romanian model proved two things: the speed of operation of its all-wheel drive system and the pleasant articulation capacity of its suspension.
At the top of that climb, a large space awaited me where once a group of buildings had been planned to be built, but now it looked more like an amusement park for Duster. With a thin layer of mud and several streets without any obstacles, I was able to prove that this is, without a doubt, the most fun Duster to drive.
With permissive traction control, the Romanian SUV even allows us to turn it off to, if we are not lacking in ingenuity and art, make some rear-end drifts with all the safety that ended up giving Duster a «mud mask» .
Time to return and now on the way down, it was time to put the control system down to the test. Once in gear, it allowed me to descend a considerable slope, the floor of which was covered with wet grass, without any problems. What was even a big surprise for my father who accompanied me, for whom this type of situation is resolved on the basis of reductions.
Best of all, once back on the asphalt, all you had to do was turn off the all-wheel drive to enjoy all the comfort and economy that Duster allows again.
Speaking of economy, even when I decided to explore some dirt roads without worrying about saving, the Duster continued to prove frugal, with the average around 6.5-7 l/100 km.
Is it the right car for you?
If, like me, you have the «all-terrain pet», but the «pure and hard» jeeps of yesteryear are too rustic, this Dacia Duster 4×4 could very well be a great compromise solution.
Economical and comfortable when riding on asphalt (in which case it looks like any familiar compact), this one seems to have a split personality when we select all-wheel drive. Their off-road skills are proof that not all modern SUVs are just for climbing sidewalks.