Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2024 Dacia Duster spied testing for the first time

Dacia’s next SUV looks to retain its chunky and compact form for its next generation

The all-new Dacia Duster has been spied undergoing testing ahead of its 2024 reveal, renewed here for its third generation. The incredibly popular SUV has been a constant success story alongside the brand’s impressive rise in popularity over the last decade, so expect the new model to retain much of the spirit and character that made the first two generations so iconic. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Duster will largely retain its current overall size with a few minor adjustments here and there, leaving space above for the incoming seven-seat Bigster family SUV. This much is clear in the test vehicle spotted by our photographers, revealing a similar combination of proportions identified by the short rear overhang and compact tail. Its silhouette looks similar to the current model, but there’s noticeably more rake to the rear screen, leaving ultimate cargo-carrying capability to other cars in the Dacia’s range. 

Overall, its styling will largely be inspired by the Bigster concept car, with extensive use of black plastic mouldings on the wheel arches, doors and bumpers, plus lighting graphics that take direct inspiration from the concept. 

The new Duster will ride on Renault’s compact CMF-B platform, one shared with many existing Dacia, Renault and Nissan models. This will support a range of three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, some potentially integrating mild-hybrid technology. 

By sharing its underpinnings with the latest Clio, it’s also plausible that Dacia could offer the innovative hybrid system – in which electric motors are responsible for directly driving the wheels, allowing the combustion-petrol engine to act largely as a generator depending on driving conditions. Given the Duster’s popularity in Alpine areas, we also expect the option of two and four-wheel drive, as well as a LPG compatibility in other European markets. 

The interior will likely pick up a new generation of digital interfaces, but retain its simple and hardwearing nature. Dacia’s interior design has certainly come a long way since the original Duster that arrived in 2010, though, so a few surprises are sure to find their way into the new model. 

Now read more about the upcoming Dacia Bigster

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior staff writer

Senior staff writer at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best 4x4s and off-road cars to buy 2026
Best 4x4s and off-road cars - header image

Best 4x4s and off-road cars to buy 2026

After a four-wheel-drive vehicle with plenty of off-road clout? We have you covered
Best cars & vans
12 Feb 2026
Best SUVs to buy 2026
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2026

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
10 Feb 2026
Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…
Renault Duster - front

Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…

Posher inside and out and with more headroom, welcome to the upside down world of the Indian Duster
News
26 Jan 2026
Most reliable small cars to buy 2026
Most reliable small cars Driver Power 2025 - header image

Most reliable small cars to buy 2026

We reveal the most reliable small cars you can buy, according to our latest Driver Power survey
Best cars & vans
21 Jan 2026

Most Popular

New Land Rover Defender Sport: baby SUV will be boxy and electric
New baby Land Rover Defender render - watermarked

New Land Rover Defender Sport: baby SUV will be boxy and electric

The new Land Rover Defender Sport will sit below the existing Defender in both size and price, and our exclusive image previews how it could look
News
23 Feb 2026
Electric cars vs winter: Audi A6, Mercedes CLA, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV4 and MG IM5 megatest
Winter range test - header

Electric cars vs winter: Audi A6, Mercedes CLA, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV4 and MG IM5 megatest

What does winter do to the capabilities of five long-range EVs? Our brutal 370-mile trip reveals everything - but did they all make it?
Features
23 Feb 2026
Are EVs really cheaper to run? Exclusive electric vs petrol running costs analysis
Are EVs really cheaper to run?

Are EVs really cheaper to run? Exclusive electric vs petrol running costs analysis

EVs have been sold primarily on their low running costs; we do the maths to see if the benefits are genuine
Features
24 Feb 2026

Find a car with the experts