THE Dacia Duster has received many plaudits for making 4x4s accessible to those who don’t want to spend big.

It’s now had a facelift, with a new grille, alloys, roof bars and a range of new colours.

The good part is that the prices haven’t changed either – you can still have one for a ridiculous £9,495 on the road.

Yes, that’s less than 10 grand for a capable, spacious, practical and well-built off-roader.

There’s plenty of room for five people and you get 475 litres of load space – a whopping 1,636 with the back seats down.

The new versions also give you, as standard, ABS and electronic stability control.

Everything stays nice and simple, with just three trim levels, two engines and accessories to suit.

So, all cars get the usual safety features, roof bars, remote locking and an eco mode.

Even basic access trim gets electric front windows – although you’ll have to fit a stereo yourself.

If you truly want a big, no-frills utilitarian vehicle, then less than £10k will get you this.

For those looking for a bit more, Ambiance spec adds front fogs, a stereo, split rear seats, Bluetooth and USB, while top-end Laureate gives you alloys, an on-board computer, cruise control and speed limiter, heated and electric mirrors, air con and electric rear windows.

It’s easy to add stuff, too. The touch screen nav system is a mere £300, for example. Leather is a grand and a pack that includes rear parking sensors, mats, mud guards, alarm, boot liner and tailgate protection is £595.

There’s a styling pack at £655 and a touring pack, including tow bar, transversal roof bars and an arm rest, at £555.

So you can tailor your Duster to what you need very simply.

I tested the diesel, which is a Renault unit and has 110hp. While it won’t blow you away, it’s decent, pulling nicely from low revs and the high driving position is nice.

If you want to go off road, four-wheel-drive will set you back a bit more, from £11,495, and with this diesel engine you won’t have any problem on the rough stuff.

It manages a combined 56 to the gallon (53 in 4x4 mode) and CO2 is 130-135g/km. It’s the choice to make over the lower-powered, less economical, 1.6 petrol.

Inside, it’s utilitarian again. It’s comfortable, though, even if the finish is a little cheap-feeling.

But, then, it is cheap.

Top spec is only £15,495 and for that you’ve got a serious 4x4.

In a market that is swamped with SUVs that can cost double that and more, it’s no wonder the Duster has been so well-received.

Find out more at westovergroup.co.uk/dacia