Renault Captur vs Dacia Duster
Figures updated
The Renault Captur and Dacia Duster are two of the UK's most popular small SUVs. We compare the Mk2 (2019–) Captur and the Mk3 (2024–) Duster on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 219,919 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Renault Captur for the better MOT record and lower fuel costs, or the Dacia Duster for the lower price and the bigger boot.
- The Dacia Duster is the cheapest to buy new: from £21,845, £650 less than the Renault Captur.
- The Dacia Duster has the biggest boot: 517 litres, 33 more than the Renault Captur.
- Euro NCAP safety: Renault Captur 4 stars (2024), Dacia Duster 3 stars (2024). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Renault Captur has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Dacia Duster fails its MOT about 25% more often.
- The Renault Captur is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £290 a year less than the Dacia Duster at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the suspension on a Renault Captur: it fails on them 1.8 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 | Renault CapturMk2 (2019–), 5-door SUV | Dacia DusterMk3 (2024–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £22,495 to £29,395July 2026 price list | £21,845 to £26,845July 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 484 litres / 1,596 | 517 litres / 1,609 (best) |
| Length | 4,239mm | 4,343mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | – | 1,813mm |
| Height | 1,575mm | 1,656mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 115–160 PS (best) | 140–155 PS |
| 0–62mph | 8.9–12.1 sec (best) | 9.2–9.9 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2024) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 47.1–65.7 mpg | 45.6–58.9 mpg |
| CO2 | 30–135 g/km | 113–141 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £994 (58.9 mpg) (best) | £1,284 (45.6 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,148 (58.9 mpg) (best) | £1,269 (53.3 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £994 (petrol) | £1,269 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200 | £200 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 89Below average (best) | 71Well below average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 22.6% (best) | 28.4% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.0% (best) | 17.0% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 16.8% (best) | 26.1% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 37.3% (best) | 40.9% |
| Most common MOT fault | Ball joint (3.6% of tests) | Headlamp aim (3.9% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Suspension (1.8×), Body and structure (1.4×) | Lights and electrics (2.5×), Steering (2.4×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 150,797 | 69,122 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Small SUV | Small SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,100 | 8,200 |
| On sale | 2019 on | 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 Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster more reliable?
The Renault Captur. Like for like on age and mileage, the Dacia Duster fails its MOT about 25% more often (reliability scores 89 and 71, where 100 is average). 22.6% of Renault Capturs and 28.4% of Dacia Dusters failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster?
The Dacia Duster is 104mm longer (4,343mm against 4,239mm). The Dacia Duster has the bigger boot: 517 litres against 484.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster?
The Dacia Duster: new prices start at £21,845, £650 less than the Renault Captur (from £22,495). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster?
Comparing petrol versions, the Renault Captur costs about £290 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£994 against £1,284), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster?
Euro NCAP gave the Renault Captur 4 stars (2024) 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 Renault Captur or the Dacia Duster?
Pick the Renault Captur for the better MOT record and lower fuel costs, or the Dacia Duster for the lower price and the bigger boot. 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.