Road tested, RAC-approved: Dacia Duster is awarded Best Small SUV

The Dacia Duster has proved once again that you don’t need to spend big to get a seriously capable SUV, after taking home the ‘Best Small SUV’ title at the RAC New Car Awards 2026.

The award puts Duster at the top of one of the most competitive sectors of the new-car market, with the RAC recognising its combination of everyday practicality, affordable running costs, comfort and genuine capability that has made it such a hit with the nation’s drivers.

RAC Drive Automotive Editor Lawrence Allan said: “The Dacia Duster leads the crowded small SUV pack with its winning combination of practicality, capability, low running costs and seriously affordable pricing. The Duster has good performance, a comfortable ride, all the basics as standard and surprising off-road ability, showing up much glitzier and more expensive alternatives.”

The inaugural RAC New Car Awards have been created to help drivers make informed choices when buying a new car, focusing on the things that matter in everyday life. Vehicles are assessed against their direct rivals across criteria such as value, running costs, safety, practicality, ride and handling, interior and technology, and performance.

Lina Ribeiro, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said: “Duster has always done things differently. It gives drivers the space, capability and comfort they actually need, at a price that makes adventure accessible, and this award shows just how compelling that formula continues to be. When an organisation like the RAC recognises Duster for its practicality, running costs and value as well as the way it performs on and off the road, it really gets to the heart of what Dacia is about: giving people more of what matters and less of what doesn’t.”

EVERYTHING YOU NEED, WHEREVER THE ROAD TAKES YOU
Simple, robust and built around real-world usability, Duster combines the practicality of a five-seat SUV with the rugged capability that has become its hallmark. The latest Duster is available with mild hybrid and full hybrid powertrains, offering plenty of space for passengers and luggage alongside an easy-to-use interior and the versatility to handle everything from the everyday commute to weekends further off the beaten track.

Available in a choice of three trims – Expression, Journey, and Extreme – the Duster range is priced from £21,845 on-the-road, making its award-winning blend of practicality and capability accessible to even more drivers.