Legendary off-road cars and SUVs that were never sold in America
In a way, the original Dacia Duster released in 2010 is the NA-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata of Europe's off-roader segment. I'm not talking about handling; it takes a turn with the liveliness of a blimp. But, like the original Miata, the first-generation Duster brought a big serving of modernity to its segment.
Cheap and cheerful, the Duster is closer to a crossover than to a burly, body-on-frame SUV. It's built on a unibody platform, powered by a relatively small four-cylinder engine, and compact enough to zig-zag through crowded urban centers. Unlike, say, the Nissan Qashqai , it was designed for mild off-roading — it appeals to folks who live in rural areas, adventure-minded buyers, and first responders.
Dacia sold the original Duster through 2017 in many European countries, though production continued for several more years in overseas markets . Its successor, which is still built in 2023, arrived in 2017 with the same focus on off-roading but a longer list of features and a nicer interior. More than a decade after its launch, the original Duster remains a common sight.
Fiat didn't envision the original Panda released in 1980 as an off-roader; the boxy, Giugiaro-designed two-door hatchback was let loose with Italy's chaotic traffic as its home turf. Four-wheel-drive appeared in 1983
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