Buy the Hybrid? The new 2024 Dacia Duster

[robinandcamera]

Hi
I am getting a bit fed up with our 2008 Saab, it is needing work a little too often now.

The Duster that is arriving this year ticks so many boxes that I might try and pull the trigger. https://www.arnoldclark.com/newsroom/7044-dacia-du...

What engine would you go for?

If I do buy it I would want to keep the car 10 years. The hybrid is my prefence, but future mechanical work on it worries me. Let me summarise my thoughts:

Why the Duster:
- Affordable, I can't spend more and I would like new. I also don't want anything more fancy, we don't need it
- 2024 model looks like it'll be a big step up for Dacia, something I would be happy with
- 4x4 would be great as we live in the sticks in Norfolk

Why am I thinking the hybrid (140hp, 1.2kw hybrid)
- Fancy an auto as I have a sports car for fun, only the hybrid comes auto
- Typical drives are 11 mile round trips to town, so I think the hybrid would be quite a benefit
- The saab is a 150bhp turbo diesel, so the 1.6 na engine with the hybrid should still have some nice shove and not feel over worked

The other choice, 1.2 turbo, 130hp
- The 1.2 turbo 3 cylinder mild hybrid is the only other engine with 4x4, but it is manual only
- I've never driven a 3 cylinder that I like, I worry this will feel gutless and rough
- If I want to do some light towing in the future it might struggle

Thoughts?

[Jon39]

robinandcamera said:

I am getting a bit fed up with our 2008 Saab, it is needing work a little too often now.

The Duster that is arriving this year ticks so many boxes that I might try and pull the trigger.

If I do buy it I would want to keep the car 10 years. The hybrid is my preference, ...

With your intention to keep he car fir 10 years, there is one important point to check before buying.

Can the vehicle be driven by the petrol engine alone, if the lithium battery completely fails ?

With many hybrids, the battery vehicle system is integral with the internal combustion engine.
Failed battery, then engine cannot be started.
Some expensive cars have been scrapped at just 9 years old (battery warranty being 8 years), following premature battery failure.
Imagine if you had to scrap your SAAB in 2017, whereas you have continued using it to age 15 years.

[robinandcamera]

Good question, something I will ask about, but without the electric shove an na 1.6 won't be much fun.

It is a small battery at least, 1.2kwh so wouldn't be too costly to replace?

Maybe I should also see how insurnce quotes compare as well given one has a battery, even though it is a small one.

Edited by robinandcamera on Friday 2nd February 16:38

[Jon39]

Sorry, as soon as I read hybrid in your post, I then wrote my post.
I now see that you did state mild-hybrid further on.

Yes, that will will be fine, and without the PHEV, or EV long-term risk referred to.
Several manufacturers are now using the starter/generator systems, often 48 volts.
One of the features often provided, is to give an engine boost to eliminate turbo-lag.
They also often act as a starter motor by directly rotating the crankshaft, so a good condition mild hybrid battery would always be needed

Those types of battery are being advertised on ebay (£250 ish), so no car scrapping risk.

[robinandcamera]

The car I am interested in (the 1.6) is considered a normal hybrid, 1.2kw battery, electric motor connected to the engine/gearbox.

It is the one I don't like the sound of (3 cylinder 1.2 turbo) that only has the starter motor style assistance

The article I linked to covers these options if you want to read more on them
Thanks