- Carwow put the Dacia Duster and Toyota Land Cruiser through a series of off-road challenges.
- The budget-friendly Duster costs three times less than the larger, more powerful Land Cruiser.
- Despite the price gap, the Duster held its own, thanks to its lighter weight and compact size.
One of the Dacia Duster’s main selling points is that it’s one of the most affordable SUVs you can buy in Europe. But don’t let the price fool you, as it’s also one of the toughest contenders in its class. So, does it stand a chance against a more expensive, larger off-roader like the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser? Thanks to Carwow, we now have the answer, and it’s probably not what you’d expect.
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A Battle of Price and Performance
For this unconventional face-off, the team picked the 4×4 version of the Dacia Duster, priced at a budget-friendly £23,550 ($30,400) in the UK. By comparison, the diesel-powered Land Cruiser costs more than three times that, starting at £74,995 ($96,800). So, we’re looking at a serious gap in price, but what about performance?
2024 Dacia Duster Review: Is It Still The King Of Budget SUVs?
Well, it turns out the Duster has a few tricks up its sleeve. Despite the massive price difference, the Dacia is noticeably lighter, tipping the scales at just 1,390 kg (3,064 lbs), compared to the Land Cruiser’s hefty 2,335 kg (5,148 lbs). On top of that, the Duster boasts slightly higher ground clearance (217 mm/8.5 inches vs. 205 mm/8.1 inches) and a tighter turning radius, thanks to its smaller footprint. It’s clear this compact SUV is more than just a pretty face.
Of course, when it comes to power, the Duster can’t hold a candle to the Toyota Land Cruiser’s 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, which pumps out 201 hp (150 kW). That’s more than twice the 128 hp (96 kW) of the Duster’s 1.2-liter mild-hybrid turbo engine. The Toyota also comes with superior suspension, a full suite of off-road tech, including center and rear differential locks, low-range gearing, and multiple off-road modes, along with all-terrain tires, making it a far more sophisticated machine for tackling tough terrain.
Off-Road Test: Surprising Results
So, how did these two actually perform in real-life? The Carwow team put them through a grueling series of tests, including a slippery hill drag race, a tight off-road course, a steep descent, and plenty of muddy, bumpy terrain to navigate.
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Despite the Toyota’s advantages, the Dacia managed to hold its own and take a few wins. Its light weight and compact design helped it maneuver surprisingly well, even though its suspension wasn’t exactly up to the task of keeping the ride smooth on rough ground.
And The Winner Is…
At the end of the day, while the Dacia Duster did put in a commendable performance, the Toyota Land Cruiser came out on top. It’s still the clear leader when it comes to serious off-roading and overlanding. The catch? That price tag. The Land Cruiser is just too expensive for most buyers in Europe, making the Duster an obvious choice for those who want to hit the trails without completely draining their bank account.
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Still, there’s hope on the horizon for budget-conscious buyers caught between the two. Toyota is believed to be preparing the much-anticipated Land Cruiser FJ, which could debut as early as this year, offering top-tier off-road performance at a more accessible price point that its larger sibling.
