Sector: SUV Price (October 2013): £15,295 Fuel: 53.3mpg CO2: 135g/km

It may seem an unlikely comparison, but the Dacia Duster could be the closest modern equivalent to the iconic Citroen 2CV.

The compact SUV has become a part of the scenery in rural France, frequently deployed as a farm vehicle. Like the 2CV, it’s built to offer cheap, capacious transport with light off-roading ability, and it seems to have cornered Citroen’s traditional market in the process.

In the UK, it’s more of a newcomer. But it’s off to a good start. The compact SUV segment is a growing one, and British buyers adore the bulky styling and off-road bolt-ons that the Duster has in spades. Dacia also has the advantage of a significantly lower price than most – the entry-level model costs £8,995, and that’s excellent value even for a car with an aged petrol engine, two-wheel drive and no air conditioning.

Corporate appeal comes slightly higher up the range. The Duster is available with Renault’s tried and tested 1.5-litre dCi 110 diesel, offered with two and four-wheel drive, and the range tops out with the Laureate trim tested here. It’s still cheaper than two-wheel drive versions of the Renault Captur or Nissan Juke, both of which use derivatives of the same engine.

While this will be a predominantly retail brand, the Duster’s low on-the-road pricing could make it a viable job need car for drivers making site visits or living in rural areas prone to poor weather. It certainly looks, and feels, up to the task, while providing a huge load area when needed.

There’s an endearing honesty to the way costs have been stripped here. Dacia has made no attempt to hide cut corners, so the cabin is home to hard-wearing plastics straight out of a Nineties Renault, and while many SUVs use beautifully milled aluminium scuff panels, the Duster makes do with a sheet of thick metal bolted to its underside.

Some cost-cutting is more problematic, though. The front seats aren’t as supportive as they should be, can be uncomfortable on long journeys and rock back and forth as occupants climb in or out. Dacia has also stuck to cable-operated air conditioning controls, which can be stiff to operate. 

But in SUV-loving Britain, Dacia stands to do very well with the Duster. The styling is divisive, but with the chunky wheel arches and no-nonsense design it manages to look purposeful and rugged. Qualities which make this even more market appropriate in the UK than the 2CV.

Verdict:

Muscular SUV styling and practicality has never been more affordable. High CO2 emissions will kerb its value in the corporate sector, but as a soft off-road workhorse the Duster has plenty to offer.