Skip advert
Advertisement

Driver Power Award 2024: Dacia Duster Mk2

The Dacia Duster Mk2 is the winner of our 2024 Auto Express Driver Power Award

There's nowhere for cars to hide in our Driver Power survey, which collates the views of thousands of customers on their new models – how good they are to own, and where they fall short. The results are processed with proper statistical weighting applied, too, with the goal of providing a proper representative picture of purchasers’ views across the nation.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s a real seal of approval, then, for a car to secure the number-one spot in our rundown of the top 50 new cars to own – and that’s certainly the case with this year’s winner, the Dacia Duster Mk2, which pipped strong offerings from Tesla (Model 3) and Toyota (Yaris) to the title.

As the model that defined the Dacia brand’s relaunch under Renault Group ownership in the modern era, the Duster has been the talisman for its manufacturer for more than a decade. This second-generation Duster is about to be replaced by an all-new version, but buyers have given it a resounding send-off in Driver Power.

The Dacia remains a no-nonsense proposition, right down to the brand’s no-haggle policy during the buying process. But the car’s Driver Power triumph is secured through high scores for considerably more than just value for money. Owners also back its straightforward cabin layout and user friendliness (proof positive that car users still love simple switches, buttons and knobs), plus the SUV’s practicality, particularly its rear legroom and boot capacity.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Customers also highly rate the car’s driving dynamics, with praise for its steering response and comfort. In a world where you could argue that cars are at risk of becoming appliances, people genuinely fall in love with the Duster, and everything that it does for them.

You can find all the information on our New Car Awards 2024 winners and the reasons why we chose them on the pages below. Just follow the links to read more…

New Car Awards 2024: the winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,838

For the full New Car Awards experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2024 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

Subscribe to Auto Express magazine

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2024 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best small 4x4s 2026: compare small 4WD cars
Best small 4x4s - April 2026 header image

Best small 4x4s 2026: compare small 4WD cars

Need off-road capability in a compact package? Take a look the best small 4x4s
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2026
Best hybrid SUVs to buy 2026
Best hybrid SUVs - March 2026 header image

Best hybrid SUVs to buy 2026

Plenty of SUVs now come with hybrid power, and we’ve picked out the very best buys on today’s market
Best cars & vans
31 Mar 2026
New Dacia Duster Spirit of Sand celebrates brand’s Dakar domination
Dacia Duster Spirit of Sand Limited Edition - front 3/4

New Dacia Duster Spirit of Sand celebrates brand’s Dakar domination

The new Duster Spirit of Sand is available exclusively in Dacia’s home market, Romania
News
26 Feb 2026
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

Most Popular

Jaecoo 8 review
Auto Express senior content editor Shane Wilkinson standing next to the Jaecoo 8

Jaecoo 8 review

Jaecoo’s biggest car boasts a competitive price, surprising performance and seven seats, but its appeal for large families is limited
In-depth reviews
29 Apr 2026
Crucial new Volkswagen ID. Polo EV arrives with 283-mile range and £25k price tag
Volkswagen ID Polo - front static

Crucial new Volkswagen ID. Polo EV arrives with 283-mile range and £25k price tag

The new Volkswagen ID. Polo is the latest entrant in the rapidly-growing electric supermini sector that includes the Renault 5 Cupra Raval and Hyundai…
News
29 Apr 2026
New Geely EX5 Ultra offers new battery and an extra 13 miles more range to enjoy
Geely EX5 Ultra - side

New Geely EX5 Ultra offers new battery and an extra 13 miles more range to enjoy

The new EX5 Ultra is “well suited to active lifestyles and light towing” according to Geely
News
27 Apr 2026

Find a car with the experts