Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid - long-term review

After a brief stint in the mild-hybrid 4x4 Duster, our full hybrid is back. And this time it’s fitted with Dacia’s official Sleep Pack. So, naturally, the question arises… is the Duster actually a car you could spend the night in?

As part of a wider Top Gear test, we rounded up six current cars you can realistically sleep in, from a Porsche 911 with a roof tent to a fully-fledged VW California camper van. Unsurprisingly, the Duster was one of the cheapest setups. But also one of the neatest.

That’s thanks to Dacia’s InNature Sleep Pack. It’s a removable box that slots snugly into the boot and folds out into a double-ish bed across the folded rear seats. Along with the frame, you get a mattress, blackout blinds, and even a tailgate tent.

Setup is simple enough. Unfold, slide, slot and done. The mattress is actually pretty decent too, with no uneven padding or spine-destroying sticky-out bits. Although there’s not a lot of headroom inside, so you’ll be wriggling in and out rather than standing up, but for a night or two on the road, it absolutely works.

The frame itself feels properly solid. It’s made from chunky plywood and has a fair bit of weight to it. Definitely a two-person job to lift in and out. But once it’s in, it all feels impressively well thought out. The 12V socket in the boot is still accessible for charging your devices, and the YouClip system lets you slot in lights, hooks or cupholders. The end section of the frame even folds out into a little picnic table for a much needed morning coffee.

And if you need more space? The tent attachment extends the boot into a larger living area. Ideal if you want to stretch your legs or get changed without bumping your head on the ceiling. This makes the kit more usable, but sleeping inside the car itself gives a greater sense of security than you’d get with a tent alone.

Of course, there’s a catch. With the Sleep Pack installed, you’ve got basically no boot space. So if you're planning more than a weekend away, a roof box is going to be essential. And no, this won’t replace a full camper van, but it’s not trying to. It’s a simple, clever setup for spontaneous getaways, not month-long expeditions.

The full kit costs £2,090. For what it offers, and the fact you can whip it out in minutes, it feels like decent value. And honestly? I love that Dacia’s leaning into this adventurous stuff. It's fun, practical, and a brilliant way to squeeze more out of your daily.