Dacia Duster Cargo: A Workhorse Disguised as an SUV
In the UK, Dacia has taken its most affordable all-wheel-drive SUV and stripped it back into something far more utilitarian. The new Duster Cargo trades rear seats for flat flooring, tie-down points and a steel bulkhead, turning the budget-friendly crossover into a factory-built van that blends workhorse pragmatism with genuine off-road ability.
Officially classified as an N1 commercial vehicle, the Duster Cargo offers 1,149 litres of load volume and a payload capacity of 430 kilograms—figures that won’t impress a logistics fleet manager but should be more than adequate for tradespeople or rural businesses. Crucially, unlike aftermarket conversions, this is a manufacturer-spec model, complete with Dacia’s warranty intact. Dark-tinted glass, rubber mats and a load cover round out the package, ticking the boxes that transform a family runabout into a tool of the trade.
Buyers can choose between a 130-horsepower mild hybrid with four-wheel drive and 217 mm of ground clearance, or a more fuel-efficient 155-horsepower full hybrid that forgoes AWD. Prices start at £22,995 before VAT, positioning the Duster Cargo well below traditional 4x4 vans while offering more off-road credibility than compact car-derived rivals.
Equipment is predictably practical, though Dacia hasn’t skimped on essentials: safety assists, infotainment screens and even 17-inch alloys all make the cut. The result is a van that feels up-to-date without losing its no-frills ethos.
In a niche where Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo may seem too small, and where full-size 4x4 commercials look excessive, the Duster Cargo slots neatly in between. It won’t win any capacity contests or style awards, but it will carry gear from A to B—whether the road is tarmac or trail.
