The 10 best Dacia Duster alternatives in 2025

If you’re after a cheap SUV, the Dacia Duster is more than likely on your radar. The new model was revealed late last year, and it’s due to go on sale soon.

The Duster isn’t your only option for a budget SUV though, so whether you’re after something a bit more posh, an EV or a seven-seater, here are 10 of the best Dacia Duster alternatives.

The best Dacia Duster alternatives are:

1. Citroen C5 Aircross
2. Dacia Jogger
3. Skoda Karoq
4. Smart #1
5. Volkswagen T-Cross
6. Toyota Yaris Cross
7. Renault Captur
8. Fiat 600e
9. Suzuki Vitara
10. MG HS

1) Citroen C5 Aircross

When it comes to value for money, the Citroen C5 Aircross is hard to beat; but it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in an allotment shed. You get loads of standard kit, and it’s one of the most comfortable cars in its class.

You do have to put up with some scratchy plastics inside, however that’s a small price to pay for the amount of practicality you get. The C5 Aircross makes a great family companion, which is why it took home the Family Values award in the Carwow Car Of The Year awards 2024.

2) Dacia Jogger

If you want the most amount of seats for the least amount of money, it’s Dacia to the rescue again. The Jogger is the cheapest seven-seat car you can buy, and it’s more than just spacious.

It’s comfortable, easy to drive and comes with all the toys you’ll need. It’s no speed machine, especially with seven people on board, but the dinky petrol engine is economical and cheap to run.

3) Skoda Karoq

Skoda has a long-standing reputation for no-nonsense practicality, and the Karoq is testament to this. It’s a great all-rounder, offering cavernous interior space, loads of equipment and it’s comfortable to drive as well.

You’ll want to avoid the slow entry-level engines, and the range-topping models can get pricey. Get yourself a mid-range car with the 1.5-litre petrol engine and you’re onto a winner.

4) Smart #1

Fancy a great electric car for a reasonable price? The Smart #1 is one of the best. For similar money to other petrol-engined SUVs you get a funky-looking EV which is great to drive, so much so it was highly commended in the Carwow Car Of The Year awards 2024.

It may not be as practical as the Duster, and it’s likely to be more expensive as well – pricing for the Duster hasn’t been confirmed yet – but you do get a lot of safety kit for your money and it has a more high-quality interior than the Dacia.

5) Volkswagen T-Cross

Some people just have to have a posh German badge on the bonnet, and if you’re one of those buyers then the Volkswagen T-Cross is the affordable SUV for you. It shares a lot of parts with the Volkswagen Polo, and as a result it’s not quite as practical as the Duster.

That said, it still offers great interior space despite its smaller size, and the T-Cross is a funky-looking small SUV with loads of standard equipment. It’s also really easy to drive in town thanks to great visibility.

6) Toyota Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris Cross is an SUV which will slot effortlessly into your daily life. It has a big, versatile boot, decent interior space and it comes fully loaded with all the latest tech. You also get a fuel-sipping hybrid engine which will save you money at the pumps.

That engine can be a bit noisy at speed, but being a Toyota it’s unlikely to go wrong. The Yaris Cross also comes with Toyota’s ‘Relax’ warranty, giving you up to 10 years of coverage as long as you keep it serviced on time at an approved dealer.

7) Renault Captur

Looking for an SUV with a splash of French flair? The Renault Captur is a great-looking car which is also properly practical. It has a massive boot, loads of rear legroom and a posh-feeling interior as an added bonus.

The Captur is also available with a wide range of hybrid engines, some of which also feature in the Duster. They can be a bit noisy under harsh acceleration, but you will get decent fuel economy.

8) Fiat 600e

Electric SUVs don’t get much more characterful than the Fiat 600e. That funky retro styling is bound to put a smile on your face, and it’s more than just a pretty face. You get plenty of interior space, loads of standard kit and it’s comfortable to drive as well.

You do have to put up with a clunky infotainment system, and the boot isn’t the biggest, but the 600e is cheap enough that you look past these issues. If you’re not quite ready to switch to an EV, you can also get a petrol version of the 600 which is even cheaper.

9) Suzuki Vitara

The Suzuki Vitara is a no-frills SUV which has plenty of space for a growing family. It’s also got a chunky and rugged design, a bit like the Duster, and it’s very well-equipped for the money.

It’s not the most salubrious SUV on the market, the Skoda Karoq feels like a much more premium product, but there’s something quite charming about the Vitara’s bare-bones simplicity.

10) MG HS

You can’t talk about budget-friendly SUVs without mentioning the MG HS. It’s the closest to the Duster in terms of interior space for the money, and the interior looks pretty good as well.

Sadly, the material quality doesn’t live up to the classy design, and it’s not the best to drive thanks to a sluggish automatic gearbox. The HS claws back some brownie points though thanks to a long equipment list and a comfortable driving experience.

Dacia Duster FAQs

Is Dacia bringing out a new Duster?

They are indeed. The new Dacia Duster was revealed late last year, and it’s packed with a lot more tech than before. It’s also sporting a new, more modern design, as well as plenty of clever features inside.

How much is the new Dacia Duster?

Prices for the new Dacia Duster haven’t been finalised yet, but you can expect it to start from less than £20,000. This car’s unique selling point has always been the fact it’s great value for money, and there’s no reason for this to change now.

What new Dacia cars are coming out?

Aside from the new Duster, which will go on sale soon, the all-new Dacia Spring has also made its debut and is on sale now. The spring is a sub-£15,000 electric city car, making it the cheapest EV on sale in the UK right now.

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