The best new car for hard terrain!

Most people want a car that is practical, useful, and modern. Also, people want a reliable car that can get them anywhere, even on harder terrain.

If that’s what you want, I have the right thing for you:

Dacia Duster

Most people consider Dacia to be a “low car brand,” but believe me, it is not. It is a mix of modern and practical cars.

Here are the specifications of current models:

Length: 4,343 mm
Wheelbase: 2,657 mm
Width (mirrors folded/extended): 1,921 mm / 2,069 mm
Height: 1,616 mm
Ground clearance:209 mm (example UK spec)
- Some versions (notably 4×4) are quoted as up to 217 mm
Boot/cargo volume:594 L min / 1,696 L max (UK spec, seat-fold figure)
- Brochures may also quote other standards (e.g., VDA), and different engine layouts can change the number.
Seats/doors: 5 seats / 5 doors

Chassis & towing (example UK spec)

Turning circle: 10.86 m
Fuel tank: 50 L (on the shown UK mild-hybrid spec)
Towing capacity (braked/unbraked): 1,500 kg / 685 kg

Engines/powertrains (what you’ll see in 2025)

Mild Hybrid 140 (48V)

Power/torque: 140 hp (103 kW) / 230 Nm
Drivetrain/gearbox: FWD, 6-speed manual (UK example)
0–62 mph: 9.4 s (UK example)

Hybrid 155 (full hybrid)

Dacia announced this as the newer hybrid option (replacing the earlier “Hybrid 140” in the range):

System description: 109 bhp 4-cyl petrol + two electric motors, 1.4 kWh battery, clutchless automatic “electric” gearbox
Claimed efficiency: 4.6 L/100 km and 105 g/km CO₂ (WLTP, per Dacia press info)
City EV running claim: up to 80% of the time in electric mode (city use)

Eco-G 120 (petrol/LPG bi-fuel)

Positioned as the stronger LPG option (replacing Eco-G 100 in the range).
Range claim: up to 1,380 km using 50 L petrol + 50 L LPG (market dependent)

Mild Hybrid 130 4×4 (seen in some markets)

In some 2025 market lineups, you’ll still see a mild-hybrid 4×4 around 96 kW and 230 Nm (often called TCe 130 MHEV 4WD):
Also note Dacia’s Sept 2025 announcement says mild hybrid 140 replaces mild hybrid 130 as the range updates roll out.

Hybrid-G 150 4×4 (newly announced for ordering “by the end of the year”)

Dacia also announced a new hybrid + LPG + 4×4 setup:

System output: 113 kW (154 hp), with 230 Nm from the combustion engine (plus electric motor torque figures)
Two 50 L tanks (petrol + LPG) and up to 1,500 km WLTP range claim

I genuinely love the 4×4 system on the Dacia Duster. It feels simple, honest, and surprisingly capable when the road gets bad (mud, snow, steep gravel, you name it). What I appreciate most is the confidence it gives me without being complicated or intimidating: you can just select the mode you need and keep moving. It’s not trying to be a fancy off-roader, but it’s exactly the kind of practical, reliable 4×4 that makes everyday driving and weekend trips feel easy and stress-free.