Dacia Duster Named CarBuyer’s Car of the Year 2013
The Dacia Duster has secured CarBuyer’s 2013 Car of the Year award, standing out for its value, space and comfort among a strong field of new models.
The Dacia Duster has been named CarBuyer’s Car of the Year for 2013, with the online publication highlighting the SUV’s affordability, practicality and comfort as key reasons for its win. The result puts Dacia’s budget SUV ahead of established competitors in the UK market after its full launch in 2012.
Value and practicality drive Duster’s appeal
CarBuyer’s testers praised the Duster for offering genuine SUV space and comfort at a price point well below most rivals. The UK range opened at £8,995, undercutting competitors by several thousand pounds. The top-spec Laureate model, which won the Best 4x4 category, was available for £14,995 and included higher equipment levels and four-wheel drive capability.
The Duster’s win comes in a year when several new models entered the UK market, including the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and Mazda6. Despite strong competition, CarBuyer’s panel found the Dacia’s combination of low running costs, spacious interior and straightforward engineering more compelling for buyers prioritising value.
Competition and category winners
CarBuyer’s awards covered a range of categories, with the Skoda Octavia named Best Family Car, the Ford Fiesta taking Best Small Car and the Mazda6 recognised as both Best Large Family Car and Best Estate Car. The Duster’s overall win is notable given its price advantage and the established reputations of its rivals.
- Skoda Octavia, Best Family Car
- Ford Fiesta, Best Small Car
- Mazda6, Best Large Family Car and Best Estate Car
Buyers looking for a budget-friendly SUV have responded positively to the Duster’s arrival in the UK, with its basic but robust approach standing out in a market typically dominated by more expensive models. The CarBuyer award adds to the Duster’s growing list of UK accolades, further positioning it as a value-focused choice for families and drivers needing space without high costs.
Context and future prospects
The Dacia Duster’s success in the CarBuyer awards follows strong early sales and production milestones for the model since its UK launch. Dacia’s approach of offering essential features at a low price has resonated with cost-conscious buyers. For more on the Duster’s UK achievements, see Dacia Duster Collects Two UK Awards for Value-Focused Approach.
Looking ahead, Dacia has continued to develop the Duster with facelifts and new variants, including a pickup prototype and a seven-seat version announced for later years. The 2013 CarBuyer award marks an early highlight in the Duster’s UK story, confirming its place among the most accessible SUVs on the market at the time.
