DACIA Duster 3 was presented last fall by the DACIA company, and in the spring of this year the third generation of the compact SUV produced in Romania was launched. The model quickly established itself as a serious competitor in the affordable SUV segment, offering a remarkable ratio between space, equipment and consumption.
DACIA Duster 3, is now at the center of a new price adjustment made by DACIA, which unfortunately applies increases in France for most versions, while the access version remains unchanged. These measures reflect the general trend of increasing costs in the automotive industry and were introduced starting from May 6, 2025.
The DACIA Duster 3 is positioned in France alongside the Citroen C3 Aircross in the compact SUV segment, offering among the best starting prices in its class. According to official information, all versions of the DACIA Duster 3 have seen a price increase of 200 euros, with two important exceptions.
The first exception is the basic Essential version equipped with the Eco-G 100 engine, which maintains the starting price of 19 euros. The second exception concerns the Expression trim version combined with the Hybrid 990 engine, for which the increase has been limited to 140 euros compared to the previous level. Thus, customers who choose these configurations benefit from a significant advantage over the increases applied to the other versions.
DACIA Duster 3 also has additional options affected by price increases. The City package, available for Journey and Extreme trim levels, includes front parking radar, 360-degree cameras and blind spot monitoring system. The price of this package has increased by 60 euros, now reaching 550 euros.
DACIA Duster 3 Affected by DACIA's BAD News with Measures for All Models
The impact of this increase is limited for those who appreciate driving assistance and additional comfort, but it may influence the purchase decision in favor of versions with richer standard equipment. DACIA Duster 3, from a technical point of view, retains the micro-hybrid engine offer, with the 130 HP block previously badged TCe, now under the name Mild Hybrid.
The name reflects the same small battery assist technology, which helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The range organization remains unchanged, with Essential, Expression, Journey and Extreme trim levels, along with Eco-G and Hybrid 140 engine options.
The abandonment of the TCe logo on the micro-hybrid engine underlines the standardization of the Mild Hybrid concept across the entire Dacia range. This strategy highlights the flexibility of the Dacia offer, allowing customers to choose between versatility and efficiency.
For the international market, the price adjustment for the DACIA Duster 3 is part of a broader dynamic of rising costs in the automotive industry. With a starting price of 19 euros, the Duster 990 remains competitive against the rival Citroen C3 Aircross and other SUVs in the same segment.
Although the price increases may seem like an obstacle for tight budgets, the quality-price ratio remains attractive, and consumers can customize their car according to their needs, choosing from Eco-G or Hybrid engine versions.
The DACIA Duster 3 has increased prices in France, but they could also increase in Romania soon, and this reflects not only the increase in production costs, but also Dacia's strategy to protect its profit margin without significantly affecting the model's affordability. In the long term, the Dacia Duster 3 maintains its solid position in the top of affordable SUV sales.
