DACIA is making a quite an impact, for a number of reasons.

The Renault-owned brand has become the butt of jokes on a well-known TV programme and is making the sort of self deprecating adverts that used to be Skoda's speciality.

In reality, it's a different matter and Dacia models offer serious value for money.

The Duster is an SUV/crossover/compact 4x4 that starts at a measly £9,495 with even the range topping all-wheel drive model only setting you back £15,495.

For that you get a spectacularly well equipped car that is practical, economical in all areas and still has a bit of a mystery factor that provokes curiosity.

Many still struggle with the Dacia brand. Formerly a Romanian company it has been owned by Renault since 1999 and now builds vehicles on three continents.

The brand shares some of the French owner's older technology but now some of the latest kit as well.

You might expect that a budget type vehicle would be a pretty dull utilitarian looking vehicle, but the Duster more than holds it own.

It sits high off the ground, with eye catching contours offsetting its rugged stance it features wide wheel arches, protective moulding and chrome-trimmed grille. It would more than stand comparison in the looks department at either the school gates are a four-wheel drive gathering.

Available in three versions - Access, Ambiance and the Lauréate which I drove - it's available as both as an economical 4x4 or an even more economical front wheel drive version.

There are two engine options, a 1.6-litre petrol unit in the Access, while the popular and economical Renault 1.5 dCi 110 unit mated to a six-speed gearbox, features in Ambiance and Lauréate versions.

The diesel is a proven unit offering excellent economy, pulling power and reliability and even the four-wheel drive offers a claimed 53.3mpg and low, for the kind of vehicle, CO2 emissions of 137g/km. Add low insurance grouping and this is a cheap vehicle to buy, fuel, tax and insure.

Access level is fairly basic, but includes front and side airbags, electric front windows, roof bars, electric front windows and steering wheel height adjustment, assisted braking, stability and traction control, gearshift indicator and ECO mode to conserve fuel. 

Ambiance adds a four-speaker sound system, plus audio controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth, Aux input and USB port, split-folding rear seatbacks, front fog lights and driver's seat height adjustment.

The range topper which is the best-seller in Britain, adds 16-inch alloys, electric rear windows, air conditioning, cruise control, seven-function trip computer and  satin chrome and piano black trim detailing inside and out.

The trim is functional rather than luxurious with harsher plastics rather than the soft-touch variety and hard-wearing upholstery. It's hardly Spartan and looks built to stand up to the strains and stresses of family use.

Interior space is impressive with seating for five, while the boot offers up to 475 litres with the rear seats in place.

The four-wheel drive version has less rear space because of a different rear suspension setup.

The offroad setup uses the Renault-Nissan Alliance all-wheel drive technology with selectable three-mode system from two-sheel drive to auto or lock to to take on the really rough stuff with throttle control and braking also adapted to suit all-wheel drive, selected with a dial on the centre console.

But this will mostly be an on road vehicle the the despite the high ride, the suspension gives a comfortable ride.

Don't expect fantastic handling, but it does feel surefooted enough otherwise.

Not cutting edge and still suffering from brand anonymity but that could all change given the package on offer.