IN a recent survey of cars that hold their value best over time, the Dacia Duster SUV was close to the top of the list.

But this Romanian-made two or four-wheel-drive is still very reasonable on the secondhand market because of excellent low prices new.

There is nothing wrong with the way it drives, and it's very family friendly and easy to live with.

I suppose it might seem a little utilitarian up against some others, but then all you have to do is compare prices and you immediately realize that it's a huge bargain.

The original came onto the market in the UK in 2013 and an updated model was launched in 2018, so I'll concentrate on the older one.

It was available with two petrol engines and one diesel, each of which is available with two or four wheel drive (2WD or 4WD).

They're all well-known units from parent company Renault's stable and start with a 1.6 petrol which has 105 or later 115bhp.

The higher output model covers the 0 to 60 miles an hour sprint in 10.6 seconds in 2WD form, or 11.6 in 4WD - because of the extra weight and friction of the 4WD system. Economy is 41-44 miles per gallon.

Higher spec cars come with the Renault 1.2 turbo boasting 125bhp, and this has slightly lower CO2 emissions. It covers the sprint in either 10.1 or 10.6 seconds and is rated at 44 or 46mpg.

The single diesel is the well-known 1.5 turbo also used extensively by Renault and Nissan, and this has an output of 110bhp. The 2WD gets to 60 from rest in 11.5 seconds and is rated at 64mpg, while the 4WD takes 21.1 second to 60 and will do 53mpg at very best.

The excellent diesel - which has been the majority seller - is by far the cleanest and most economical engine in the range

Emissions range from 115g/km to 123g/km and strangely, it's the only unit available with an automatic gearbox. The rest all have a six speed manual.

Performance is fair in all models, and the 4x4 versions all have a revised final drive ratio, making first a crawler gear for off-road work and using the other five on the road. This is part of the reason the economy drops so much in 4WD versions.

The engines are reasonably subdued in use and willing enough when pressed. But overtaking on two lane roads is an acquired skill.

Four-wheel-drive models have three settings - auto, 2WD and 4WD. Most people will probably leave it in auto, because that means drive is mainly to the front wheels, only bringing the rears into play when traction is lost.

Comfort is very good over all surfaces and long travel suspension means it takes speed humps better than most.

Despite some roll, it also takes the corners easily and quickly, holding the road strongly even on poor surfaces.

I have enjoyed driving different models and found they brought plenty of fun.

Rear legroom is fair, and the boot massive, with a solid luggage cover and a 60/40 split fold rear seat to make it larger.

Entry Access models are pretty sparsely equipped, with steel wheels, roof bars, electric front windows, four airbags, emergency spare wheel, height-adjustable steering wheel and remote locking.

Mid-range Ambiance adds a radio/CD with aux in, Bluetooth and USB, and range-topping Laureate has air con, alloys, electric rear windows, leather covered steering wheel and a trip computer.

Pay about £5,750 for a '16 16-reg 1.6 Ambiance 2WD, or £9,700 for an '18 18-reg 1.5DCi Laureate 4WD.