Ford EcoSport vs Dacia Duster
Figures updated
The Ford EcoSport and Dacia Duster are two of the UK's most popular small SUVs. We compare the B515 (2014–2022) EcoSport and the Mk3 (2024–) Duster on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 169,138 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Ford EcoSport for the better MOT record and lower fuel costs, or the Dacia Duster for the bigger boot and more performance.
- The Dacia Duster has the biggest boot: 517 litres, 161 more than the Ford EcoSport.
- Euro NCAP safety: Ford EcoSport 4 stars (2013), Dacia Duster 3 stars (2024). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Ford EcoSport has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Dacia Duster fails its MOT about 10% more often.
- The Ford EcoSport is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £62 a year less than the Dacia Duster at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the lights and electrics on a Ford EcoSport: it fails on them 2.5 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the lights and electrics on a Dacia Duster: it fails on them 2.5 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Ford EcoSportB515 (2014–2022), 5-door SUV | Dacia DusterMk3 (2024–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | – | £21,845 to £26,845July 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 356 litres / 1,238 | 517 litres / 1,609 (best) |
| Length | 4,096mm | 4,343mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,765mm | 1,813mm |
| Height | 1,653mm | 1,656mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 100–140 PS | 140–155 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 10.2–13.6 sec | 9.2–9.9 sec (best) |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2013) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 43.5–57.6 mpg | 45.6–58.9 mpg |
| CO2 | 129–146 g/km | 113–141 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,222 (47.9 mpg) (best) | £1,284 (45.6 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,174 (57.6 mpg) (best) | £1,269 (53.3 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,174 (diesel) | £1,269 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | – | £35 to £360 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 78Well below average (best) | 71Well below average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 21.9% (best) | 28.4% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 14.2% (best) | 17.0% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 16.6% (best) | 26.1% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 35.3% (best) | 40.9% |
| Most common MOT fault | Stop lamp (5.2% of tests) | Headlamp aim (3.9% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Lights and electrics (2.5×), Exhaust and emissions (1.9×) | Lights and electrics (2.5×), Steering (2.4×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 100,016 | 69,122 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Small SUV | Small SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,600 | 8,200 |
| On sale | 2014–2022 | 2024 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Ford EcoSport or the Dacia Duster more reliable?
The Ford EcoSport. Like for like on age and mileage, the Dacia Duster fails its MOT about 10% more often (reliability scores 78 and 71, where 100 is average). 21.9% of Ford EcoSports and 28.4% of Dacia Dusters failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Ford EcoSport or the Dacia Duster?
The Dacia Duster is 247mm longer (4,343mm against 4,096mm). The Dacia Duster has the bigger boot: 517 litres against 356.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Ford EcoSport or the Dacia Duster?
Comparing petrol versions, the Ford EcoSport costs about £62 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,222 against £1,284), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Ford EcoSport or the Dacia Duster?
Euro NCAP gave the Ford EcoSport 4 stars (2013) and the Dacia Duster 3 stars (2024). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Ford EcoSport or the Dacia Duster?
Pick the Ford EcoSport for the better MOT record and lower fuel costs, or the Dacia Duster for the bigger boot and more performance. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.