The van version of Dacia's Duster SUV returns in this Cargo form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Background

Potentially, it's always good to be in a category of one. Dacia's original Duster Commercial, the van version of its best-selling compact SUV, was always rather unique, even in the niche market for car-derived vans. Particularly if you ordered it in 4x4 form. And the building site inspectors and country vets who liked the original model can rejoice because much improved third generation Duster range has also spawned an LCV version, this model, the Duster Cargo.

Driving Experience

In place of the diesel units used by the original Duster Commercial, it's now all electrified petrol power for the Duster Cargo. Dacia will offer you the hybrid 155 version, which combines a 109bhp four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors (a 50hp motor and a high-voltage starter / generator), a 1.4kWh battery (230V) and an automatic electric gearbox. It has four gears for the ICE engine and two for the electric motors. This combined technology is made possible by the absence of a clutch. The regenerative braking function works alongside the battery, with its high energy recovery capacity, and the efficient automatic gearbox, allowing Duster to remain in all-electric mode for significant periods of time in the city. What's more, efficiency is heightened through the vehicle always starting in all-electric mode.

Design and Build

From the outside, you might have trouble noticing that this was the van version of the Duster and that of course is entirely intentional. Compared to the old Duster Commercial, this Cargo model is the same length, but slightly wider, lower and stockier, with beefier bumpers and chunky wheel arch cladding made of a trademarked partly-recycled material called Starkle. Parallel lines across the smarter grille flow into a distinctive daytime running light signature built into the new headlamps.  At the wheel, it's a step up from the previous Duster Commercial. You get a 7-inch instrument display and a modern 10.1-inch central touchscreen, the latter with over-the-air updates and the usual smartphone-mirroring. Dacia has replaced the rear seats with a completely flat wooden load floor, finished with a durable material surface. The load area is separated from the front passenger compartment by a sturdy mesh bulkhead, while four lashing points further help to secure loose cargo. A full-length removable load cover shields the cargo area's contents from prying eyes, aided by the opaque film applied to the fixed rear windows. Finally, rubber mats add an extra layer of protection. The Duster Cargo's tough, hard-wearing flat load area offers 1,149-litres of space and a payload of up to 430kg (120kg less than the old diesel Duster Commercial). There's 1,345mm of load length and 1,000mm of width between the wheel arches. The loading sill height is 700mm. Homologated as an N1 commercial, the Cargo conversion takes place at the factory, guaranteeing the quality of the installation and preserving the three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Subject to terms and conditions, customers can also benefit from Dacia Zen, which gives an additional 1-year of warranty by servicing your vehicle at Dacia, up to 7-years or 75,000 miles.

Market and Model

Offered in one, decently-equipped 'Expression' trim with the hybrid 155 engine, this go-anywhere LCV costs from around £22,500 excluding VAT - or around £28,000 on the road including VAT. And it includes most of what you need and nothing you don't. The list of standard equipment includes 17-inch 'Tergan' diamond-cut alloy wheels, a Y-shaped LED lighting signature, longitudinal roof bars, body-coloured door handles, tinted windows, automatic wipers. Inside, there are front electric windows with driver's one-touch operation, an electric parking brake, a high central armrest with console storage, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a 6-way adjustable driver's seat, a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, height-adjustable front seatbelts and headrests, air conditioning, automatic central locking, a 7-inch digital driver display and a 10.1-inch Media Display with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. As with all models in the Dacia range, the Duster Cargo benefits from a comprehensive array of safety and driver assistance systems, including six airbags, cruise control with a speed limiter, traffic sign recognition with speed alert and Intelligent Speed Assist, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, driver attention warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, advanced emergency braking system, emergency E-Call, vehicle dynamic control and hill start assist.

Practicalities and Costs

The Duster Cargo's tough, hard-wearing flat load area offers 1,149-litres of space and a payload of up to 430kg (120kg less than the old diesel Duster Commercial). There's 1,345mm of load length and 1,000mm of width between the wheel arches. The loading sill height is 700mm. Homologated as an N1 commercial, the Cargo conversion takes place at the factory, guaranteeing the quality of the installation and preserving the three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Subject to terms and conditions, customers can also benefit from Dacia Zen, which gives an additional 1-year of warranty by servicing your vehicle at Dacia, up to 7-years or 75,000 miles. The hybrid 155 engine returns up to 109g/km of CO2.

Summary

Like any car-derived van, the Duster Cargo won't suit if you prioritise cargo capacity in your chosen compact LCV. But for quite a few potential business customers (say computer repair people, surveyors or country vets), that's of marginal importance. Their employees also appreciate the benefit (in security and status) of being able to park a vehicle on their driveway at weekends that doesn't look like a van. You might still wish this Dacia had a diesel and a more affordable price. But there's still nothing in the segment quite like it.