Dacia Duster interior, tech and practicality

The Dacia Duster is a masterclass in strong and simple interior design. Compared to some of the over-styled interiors you get in some SUVs, the Duster is refreshing.

We love the Defender-like dashboard, which gives a sturdy and rugged impression. And the Y-shaped air vent details tie in nicely with the same shapes on the outside.

Sure, the materials are hard and scratchy rather than soft and plush, but they’re easy to wipe down and should last a long time. At least the air con dials feel nice, and some models get a soft steering wheel.

The seats should be comfortable enough for most buyers, but we did find the centre console jabs into the driver’s leg a little – try the Duster before you buy to make sure it’s comfortable for you.

Visibility is good, thanks to the Duster’s big windows. And all Dusters now include rear parking sensors as standard, so parking isn’t very difficult.

UK buyers don’t get the stripped-out Essential version this time around, with the range kicking off at Expression. Here, you get diamond-cut alloy wheels, denim-style upholstery, all-round electric windows, auto wipers, a central armrest and a reversing camera.

Mid-range Journey ups the size of the wheels and adds a host of creature comforts, including front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, wireless phone charging, keyless entry, auto high-beam assist and built-in sat nav.

Top-spec Extreme adds copper detailing inside and out, a rubber boot liner and floor mats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and additional front-seat adjustment.

If you like simple cars, you might be a bit concerned that the Duster now comes with a touchscreen in every trim level.

Thankfully the touchscreen isn’t packed with tech. It includes all the major functions you’d expect, and the phone connectivity lets you use your mobile’s navigation apps. The fact that it isn’t bursting with features you’ll never use means it’s really easy to get your head around – there aren’t hundreds of submenus to get lost in. What’s more, the system is responsive to your inputs and has clear graphics. A lot of carmakers could learn lessons from Dacia’s infotainment offering.

There’s not much for keen music fans to get excited about, but casual listeners shouldn’t find much wrong with the standard audio system.

Rear-seat space is generous considering the Duster’s fairly compact proportions. Legroom and headroom are both good, and most adults will be able to get comfortable in the back seats.

All Dusters get Isofix points to attach child seats to, and the tall doors mean it should be easy enough to get young’uns in and out.

The 472-litre boot is a great size for family use, and it's a wide and useful shape. There's a bit of a load lip to haul your shopping over, but that's about the extent of our gripes here.

Dotted around the boot and the cabin are some stubby cube-shaped clips that seem a bit confusing. This is Dacia’s YouClip system, and you can buy accessories that hang on to these clips – such as a phone holder, cupholder, a hook or a tablet holder. These cost between £10-£40 each from a Dacia dealer.

Journey and Extreme spec cars get a 12V socket in the boot and extra USB sockets in the cabin, while Journey gets a split-level boot floor and Extreme comes with Dacia’s clever modular roof rails.

Storage up front could be a little better. The half-width glovebox is a little annoying, and the door bins aren’t wide enough to hold a one-litre bottle of water. There are a couple of useful phone trays, however.