Dacia will introduce an all-wheel drive version of the Duster by the end of 2025 with an electrified back axle.

Speaking at Dacia's press conference at the 2025 Car of the Year final, where the Dacia Duster is shortlisted for the award, company CEO Denis le Vot confirmed a new technological solution for the firm's all-wheel drive model.

"By the end of 2025 we will introduce a new hybrid solution four our 4x4 version," said le Vot.

"We will electrify the rear axle with an e-motor on it. The car will be hybrid and automatic and and there will be an LPG version. We will make it available at an affordable price, as is the Dacia way."

This version of the Duster will top a range that includes from launch a 99bhp 1.0-litre bi-fuel three-cylinder engine, a 128bhp 1.2-litre mild hybrid, and the the top-spec 138bhp 1.6-litre full hybrid from the Jogger.

Prices currently top out at just north of £26,000, so the new range-topping 4x4 hybrid will likely nudge that to nearer £30,000.

It is highly likely that the powertrain will make its way into the slightly larger Bigster, which is all but technically identical to the Duster, and other cars which share their CMF-B platform –  including the Dacia Jogger, Nissan Juke, Nissan Qashqai and Renault Captur – could be in line for the same treatment. 

Le Vot added that an electric Duster "would come in time", but the first electric Dacia would be the Sandero in 2027. The car would have to wait for its next generation for an electric powertrain, likely in 2030/31.

Le Vot also confirmed that the new Duster was, at the end of November, the number one SUV for retail sales in Europe across all different sized SUVs.