@ Dacia / Renault Group Media
@ Opel / Stellantis Media
VS

Dacia Duster vs Vauxhall Frontera – Which one offers the better deal?

Two cars, one duel: Dacia Duster meets Vauxhall Frontera.
Which one wins in performance, efficiency and value for money? Find out now!

Duster @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Roadside First Impressions

The two SUVs arrive with very different attitudes: the Dacia Duster wears practicality like a badge of honor, its lines honest and deliberately unpretentious, while the Opel Frontera aims for a tidier, more composed presence that hints at refinement. Walk around either and you quickly get what they’re trying to be — Duster the rugged, get-on-with-it sort, Frontera the more polished companion for family duties. Both are likeable in their own way; one cheers thrift and durability, the other telegraphs confidence and everyday civility.

Frontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media

Behind the Wheel Personality

Driving either brings clarity to the character choices: the Dacia Duster feels upbeat and willing, rewarding nimble maneuvers and forgiving in town where lightness matters, while the Opel Frontera delivers a steadier, more assured ride that soaks up longer runs with composure. Neither pretends to be a sports car, but their tuning gives you distinct moods — Duster is ready for quick errands and dirt tracks, Frontera leans toward calm command on open roads. Both are easy to live with, but they give different kinds of confidence behind the wheel.

Duster @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Living with the Cabin

The interiors reflect their philosophies: the Dacia Duster keeps things straightforward and durable, with intuitive layouts and plenty of sensible cubbies that survive family life, while the Opel Frontera leans toward comfort and versatility with a more composed seating feel and useful passenger flexibility. Materials in the Duster are chosen for resilience rather than luxury, which many buyers will appreciate for day-to-day practicality. The Frontera aims to make longer trips more comfortable and gives the impression of a slightly more grown-up cabin environment.

Frontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media

Everyday Usability and Tech

When it comes to everyday chores, the Duster’s simple controls and logical layout make it very user-friendly for drivers who want fuss-free motoring, whereas the Frontera offers a touch more polish and convenience features that reward those who value refinement. Visibility, ingress and egress are straightforward in both, but their approaches differ: one prioritises durability and ease of maintenance, the other a smoother, more refined interface. Either choice feels purposeful in daily routines, it’s just a matter of taste whether you prefer blunt practicality or added niceties.

Duster @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Character and Positioning

The Dacia Duster positions itself as the sensible, value-driven companion — pragmatic, tough, and refreshingly honest about its intentions — while the Opel Frontera wants to be seen as a more cultivated family-orientated SUV with a few extra comforts to lean on. That contrast informs everything from design cues to driving setup, and it’s what will split shoppers: do you buy for rugged usefulness or for a slightly more refined daily experience? Both have charm, but they appeal to subtly different priorities.

Frontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media

Who Should Consider Each One

If your life is filled with city commutes, weekend escapes and an eye on running costs, the Dacia Duster will likely sing to your practical side with its no-nonsense appeal; if you ferry people regularly, crave a bit more on-road polish and appreciate extra passenger flexibility, the Opel Frontera makes a persuasive case. Style-conscious buyers who want their SUV to feel a touch more grown-up may drift toward the Frontera, while thrift-focused shoppers who prize durability will find a strong argument in the Duster’s corner. Neither is wrong — they just suit different lives.

Duster @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Keep Reading for the Final Call

Fancy seeing which one gets crowned in our DriveDuel showdown? Read on — the DriveDuel Champion will be revealed afterwards, and you won’t want to miss how the two SUVs stack up in our full test loop.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Dacia Duster has a noticeable advantage in terms of price – it starts at 16300 £, while the Vauxhall Frontera costs 20500 £. That’s a price difference of around 4208 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Dacia Duster manages with 5 L and is therefore hardly perceptible more efficient than the Vauxhall Frontera with 5.20 L. The difference is about 0.20 L per 100 km.

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Vauxhall Frontera has a barely noticeable edge – offering 145 HP compared to 140 HP. That’s roughly 5 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Vauxhall Frontera is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 9 s, while the Dacia Duster takes 9.90 s. That’s about 0.90 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Vauxhall Frontera performs minimal better – reaching 194 km/h, while the Dacia Duster tops out at 180 km/h. The difference is around 14 km/h.

Both models offer the same torque – 230 Nm.

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Vauxhall Frontera offers clearly perceptible more seating capacity – 7 vs 5.

In curb weight, Vauxhall Frontera is hardly perceptible lighter – 1344 kg compared to 1351 kg. The difference is around 7 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Dacia Duster offers to a small extent more room – 517 L compared to 460 L. That’s a difference of about 57 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Dacia Duster performs slight better – up to 1609 L, which is about 9 L more than the Vauxhall Frontera.

When it comes to payload, Vauxhall Frontera evident takes the win – 644 kg compared to 430 kg. That’s a difference of about 214 kg.

Who wins the race?

The Dacia Duster proves to be shows small but notable strengths and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Dacia Duster is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £16,300
Duster @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Dacia Duster

  • Engine Type : LPG, Full Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 91 - 140 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5 - 7.6 L
details

Dacia Duster

5 (1)
rate

The Dacia Duster is a no-nonsense compact SUV that delivers rugged practicality and surprisingly comfortable everyday driving without fuss. It might not win any beauty contests, but its honest design, easy-to-live-with cabin and tough attitude make it a smart pick for buyers who want reliable transport without luxury frills.

details
d220402p @ Dacia / Renault Group Media
Dacia_Duster_2 @ Dacia / Renault Group Media
d220403p @ Dacia / Renault Group Media
d220404p @ Dacia / Renault Group Media

Vauxhall Frontera

5 (1)
rate

The Opel Frontera stands out as a rugged SUV designed for adventurous drivers seeking versatility and off-road capability. Its robust exterior design is complemented by a roomy interior, providing ample space for passengers and luggage alike. With its reliable performance and sturdy build, the Frontera is well-suited for both urban environments and more challenging terrains.

details
NeuerOpelFrontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media
NeuerOpelFrontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media
NeuerOpelFrontera @ Opel / Stellantis Media

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Costs and Consumption
Price
16300 - 24800 £
Price
20500 - 30000 £
Consumption L/100km
5 - 7.6 L
Consumption L/100km
5.20 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.8 - 18.2 kWh
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
305 - 408 km
Battery Capacity
0.60 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
113 - 148 g/km
co2
0 - 119 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
49 - 55 L
Fuel tank capacity
44 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5 - 7
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1351 - 1465 kg
Curb weight
1344 - 1610 kg
Trunk capacity
430 - 517 L
Trunk capacity
460 L
Length
4343 mm
Length
4385 mm
Width
1813 mm
Width
1795 mm
Height
1656 - 1661 mm
Height
1635 mm
Max trunk capacity
1545 - 1609 L
Max trunk capacity
1600 L
Payload
414 - 430 kg
Payload
436 - 644 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
LPG, Full Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
91 - 140 HP
Power HP
110 - 145 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.9 - 14 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9 - 14.2 s
Max Speed
160 - 180 km/h
Max Speed
143 - 194 km/h
Torque
160 - 230 Nm
Torque
125 - 230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
67 - 104 kW
Power kW
81 - 107 kW
Engine capacity
999 - 1598 cm3
Engine capacity
1199 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
Brand
Dacia
Brand
Vauxhall

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What drivetrain options does the Dacia Duster have?

The Dacia Duster is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.