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.

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: a family car that does everything you need
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test - header

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: a family car that does everything you need

We’re looking forward to life with a bargain-priced family SUV
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2025
Best cars for dog owners to buy 2025
Best cars for dog owners - header image

Best cars for dog owners to buy 2025

Our dogs deserve the best, so here are the cars that’ll keep their tails wagging
Best cars & vans
27 Mar 2025
Best small 4x4s 2025: compare small 4WD cars
Best small 4x4s - header image for February 2025 update

Best small 4x4s 2025: compare small 4WD cars

Need off-road capability in a compact package? Take a look the best small 4x4s
Best cars & vans
26 Feb 2025
Best new car deals: 15 top offers chosen for you
Best new car deals - February 2025 header image

Best new car deals: 15 top offers chosen for you

Fancy a brand new car and want to pay for it monthly, but don’t know where to start? We’ve scoured the very best offers available right now.
Best cars & vans
21 Feb 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025
Best April Fools' day jokes 2025

Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025

We round up this year’s best car-related April Fools’ jokes, along with a few of the more famous japes from years gone by
Features
1 Apr 2025
SEAT Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca get sporty upgrades thanks to new Black Editions
SEAT Black Editions

SEAT Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca get sporty upgrades thanks to new Black Editions

This could be the final change ahead of updates to Ibiza and Arona later this year
News
1 Apr 2025