Dacia Duster in the Atlas Mountains: A Week's Road Test

We covered 1,400km in a week with the 2024 Dacia Duster 4WD — from Marrakech's Gueliz through the High Atlas, down to Ouarzazate, east to Todgha Gorge, and back via Dades Valley.

The Route

Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka (2,260m) → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley → Todgha Gorge → Tinghir → back via Boumalne. A classic Moroccan circuit.

The Exterior

The 2024 Duster looks significantly more premium than its predecessor. Sharp Y-shaped LED daytime running lights, muscular wheel arches and our orange paintwork drew plenty of admiring looks from locals and fellow travellers alike.

Performance on Atlas Passes

The 1.3 TCe 150hp engine delivers strong overtaking power on the long ascents. On wet mountain roads, the 4WD system distributes torque seamlessly. At the top of Tizi n'Tichka in early May, we hit patches of ice — the Duster handled them without drama.

Off-Road Capability

We took a 12km piste to a remote kasbah near Boumalne. Ground clearance is 217mm — better than most 'proper' SUVs. The sand mode (dial behind the gearstick) proved genuinely useful on loose desert surfaces.

Comfort Over Distance

Front seats are supportive for long days. The rear is better than most compact SUVs. The 422L boot handled two large suitcases and camera equipment with room to spare. The 10.1-inch touchscreen ran Google Maps flawlessly.

Fuel Economy

We averaged 7.9L/100km across the week — slightly above the official figure, but given the mountain terrain and heavy load, that's impressive. Fill up in Ouarzazate before heading east: stations thin out east of there.

Verdict

The 2024 Dacia Duster 4WD is extraordinary value for Morocco. At our daily rate of €45, it's the most capable and most honest adventure car rental in Marrakech. We'd rent it again without hesitation.