We review the Dacia Duster Ambiance 4×2 from price to economy and all its features

RO-MANIA is sweeping our roads!

Budget brand Dacia announced this week that it has now sold THREE MILLION in 10 years in Europe.

While they started selling in Europe with the Logan in 2004, Dacia launched in the UK in 2012, selling 35,000 cars in a year.

Also, during the first half of 2014, Dacia registered the biggest increase in sales of any brand on sale in Europe, at over 36 per cent.

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It all started in the UK with the dirt-cheap Duster SUV and the firm has celebrated its milestone with a new facelifted version.

The Romanian firm, owned by Renault, has built up a cult following of VFM owners.

But Dacia is not wallowing in its success. It swiftly followed up the Duster with the UK’s cheapest car, the Sandero supermini at £5,995.

Then came the Logan MCV estate at £6,995 and there are plans for an even cheaper city car, based on the Renault Twingo for 2015.

Now the Duster has been given a midlife clean- up. It is on sale now from £9,495 — rising to £15,495 for the Laureate 4x4.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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It’s got an even classier look inside and out. The biggest difference is that the chrome front grille has two layers of four intakes and there are Duster-branded roof bars and a black tailgate bar.

DRIVE TIME

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It doesn’t match rivals like the Ford Kuga or Mazda CX-5 for refinement. It’s a supple, comfortable ride but there is body roll in corners. But that won’t bother owners who just love the value.

There are two engines and both two and four-wheel-drive layouts.

The entry-level Access at £9,495 gets a 105bhp 1.6litre petrol engine only, but Ambiance and Laureate versions are powered by a 1.5litre dCi diesel.

The diesel will return an average of 56.5mpg and emit just 130g/km. That’s only slightly worse than the Ford EcoSport diesel — but you have to fork out £11,495 at least for a diesel model.

INSIDE STORY

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It’s pretty sparse. This new version gets new upholstery and seats but still has the look of a car from the former Eastern bloc bought in the late 70s.

But you can spec it up. Forget air-con unless you have the top-spec version and colours are restricted to United Nations White.

However, there are a number of accessory packs. The £600 Protection Pack provides rear parking sensors, floor mats, an alarm, mudguards and a bootliner is a must.

A 7in touchscreen sat nav, which also provides Bluetooth and USB connectivity, is decent value at £300, but it’s only available on the Laureate.

You can also get leather upholstery at £995 — but spending that much sort of defeats the object on a budget brand car.

VERDICT: Owners will still love its value