Dacia now has even more reason to celebrate after the Dacia Duster Commercial won ‘Best 4x4 CDV’ at the VansA2Z Van of the Year Awards 2016.

The ‘shockingly affordable’ brand’s commercial crossover fought off stiff competition to win the car-derived van award after impressing judges with its value, quality build, level of equipment and driving dynamics.

Launched at last year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, the Duster Commercial combines the great features of the award-winning Duster SUV on which it is based with the same tax advantages of light commercial vehicles.

The win builds on the success of the Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 in the recent What Van? Awards 2016, where it won the award for ‘Best 4x4 Van’. 

Neil McIntee, Editor, VansA2Z.com, said: “Dacia has made an excellent return to the UK light commercial market and the 4x4 version of its Duster Commercial is so good we had to make it our 4x4 Car-derived Van of the Year.

“It’s well put together and the drive is good with a ride and handling that far exceed expectations. Off-road it is a more than adequate performer and overall it represents great value for money for operators that require four-wheel drive and don’t need a huge amount of load space.”

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the Duster Commercial 4x4 has won this award and it’s another addition to its fast-growing trophy cabinet. Since its launch in 2015 the Duster Commercial 4x4 has proved to be a firm favourite with businesses who are looking for a great value and dependable vehicle that can also go off-road. With such versatility, the Duster Commercial 4x4 is particularly suitable for use by landscape gardeners, ground maintenance staff, farmers, power and communications companies, in fact, any business who needs to reach remote, off-road areas.”

Available in two different trim levels – Ambiance and Lauréate – the Duster Commercial 4x4 receives Bluetooth connectivity and electric front windows even on entry-level versions.  The Lauréate version adds air conditioning, cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels and electrically operated and heated door mirrors. 

Dacia offers a comprehensive selection of low-priced option packs to help owners secure payloads and protect their vehicle during a life of hard work. There is a choice of steel or mesh bulkheads between the passenger and cargo areas and privacy film for the tailgate and rear side windows.

The Duster Commercial is offered with one business-oriented diesel engine – the dCi 110 unit, the best-selling Renault Group diesel powertrain, either as a 4x2 or a robust, go-anywhere 4x4. The 4x2 dCi 110 returns up to 56.5mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 130 g/km and is available from £9,595 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance entry level trim.  Meanwhile, the 4x4 dCi 110 returns up to 54.3mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 137 g/km and is available from £11,295 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance trim. The peace-of-mind new vehicle warranty is for three years/60,000 miles, with a two-year paint warranty and six years’ anti-corrosion cover.

The multiple award-winning Duster, on which the Duster Commercial is based, is the most affordable SUV on the UK market – priced from £9,495. Duster is available in a choice of three trim levels, with 1.6-litre petrol or 1.5-litre dCi diesel engines and in 4x2 or 4x4 set-ups.

Since the brand’s launch in the UK in 2013, Dacia has won numerous awards including What Car?’s ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’ for four consecutive years for the Sandero’. Dacia also offers the best value for money vehicle range in the UK.

In the UK in 2015, Dacia sold 26,228 vehicles, an increase of 9.9 per cent compared to 2014, with a one per cent market share. Over 69,000 Dacia models have been sold in the UK since its launch in January 2013.