A New Player in the Commercial Van Market

This is Dacia’s first proper stab at the UK’s car-derived van game, and it looks like they’re going all-in. They’ve said there’s been a lot of interest from small business owners and tradespeople, so the timing makes sense.

The big idea here is to give trades and self-employed folks something that’s not just affordable, but also good on fuel and practical in real life. It counts as an N1 commercial vehicle too, which might open the door to some government support depending on where you are and how clean the engine is. That said, we don’t yet know the electric-only range, so it’s worth checking the gov.uk website to see what grants, if any, apply.

Trim, Prices, and Powertrains

There’s just the one trim—Expression—but you do get a choice between two petrol-electric options:

• Duster Cargo Mild Hybrid 130 4×4 – From £22,995 excluding VAT

• Duster Cargo Hybrid 155 – From £23,595 excluding VAT

Expression trim comes kitted out pretty decently as standard. We’re talking 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 10.1-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-inch digital display behind the wheel.

Looking under the bonnet, the Hybrid 155 pairs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (109 bhp) with two electric motors that chip in 50 bhp together, all powered by a 1.4 kWh battery. The gearbox is automatic and quite clever—there are four gears for the engine and two for the electric motors, which should make for smoother driving. It also has regenerative braking, which helps it save energy in stop-start traffic.

If you want all-wheel drive, the Mild Hybrid 130 4×4 is the one to look at. It uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 48V electric motor. On top of the 4×4 system, it also comes with five Terrain Control modes and something called Adaptive Hill Descent Control. Handy stuff, especially if you’re regularly off the beaten track.

Designed with Practicality in Mind

The Duster Cargo’s been properly kitted out for work. The back seats are gone, replaced by a flat load floor. Rear windows are blacked out for security, there’s a metal mesh bulkhead behind the seats, and four lashing points in the back for tying equipment down. You’re getting 1,149 litres of cargo space, and the payload tops out at 430kg—not bad at all if you’re hauling tools or gear around.

Inside, the load bay’s got a durable floor, and up front it’s more SUV than bare-bones van. You’ve still got comforts like air con, a centre armrest with storage, adjustable steering, and the big 10.1-inch touchscreen with all the usual smartphone hook-ups.

Targeting Small Business Operators

At just under £23k before VAT, the Duster Cargo’s one of the cheapest hybrid vans going in the UK right now. It’s clearly aimed at small businesses, sole traders, and anyone running a fleet who wants something flexible, frugal, and a bit easier on the planet.

The hybrid and mild hybrid engines are perfect if you do lots of city driving, and features like 4×4 and Terrain Control give it a bit of extra go-anywhere ability—ideal if you’re doing jobs out in the sticks or on building sites.

It’s up against more typical van options like the Renault Kangoo and Citroën Berlingo, but this one stands out because of its SUV roots, 4×4 capability, and those electrified engines.

When Can You Buy One?

You can pre-order the Duster Cargo now through the usual dealerships or commercial channels. First deliveries are expected before the end of 2025, so you’ve got a bit of time to sort yourself out if you think it might fit your needs.

It’s a fresh move from Dacia, giving businesses a new kind of option that tries to keep costs down while ticking the eco and practicality boxes.

Stick around for more Dacia Duster Cargo UK news and reviews as 2025 rolls on.