Dacia has announced that its new Duster crossover will be priced from £9,995 – allowing it to keep its crown as the cheapest new SUV on the market.

The latest Duster has moved upmarket compared to the last-generation version, with a £1,000 increase in price over the last model, although still remains conscious of Dacia’s bargain basement principals.

It’s been given a more muscular look than before, with smart daytime running lights giving the car an all-new look, while the interior has also been completely re-worked.

Just two petrol engines will be available from launch – one petrol badged as SCe and one diesel badged as dCi. Both engines deliver 113bhp, with the diesel returning up to 64.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km. The petrol is pretty thirsty, managing just 43.5mpg and emissions of 149g/km in its cleanest guise. The petrol is also available with all-wheel-drive, with all variants otherwise being front-wheel-drive.

Comfort has been a clear focus of the latest model, with an easy-to-reach infotainment system and revised seats featuring with further adjustment than before. Dacia says it produces half the road noise compared to the last model with a multitude of factors contributing to this improved sound deadening. Revised electric steering also makes the Duster easier to drive and park around town.

Basic models remain pretty sparse – the entry-level Access is offered with old-fashioned steel wheels, black plastic front and rear bumpers and no air-conditioning, although it gains LED daytime running lights and improved safety thanks to automatic emergency braking and further airbags. It’s worth remembering this is priced the same as some entry-level city cars, though.

Essential starts from £11,595, and adds body-coloured bumpers, manual air-con, a DAB radio and Bluetooth, although it’s still quite bare on the equipment front.

Up next is the Comfort, which will get you 16-inch alloy wheels, a front armrest, leather steering wheels, a rear parking camera with sensors and a seven-inch touchscreen with sat nav and USB ports. This costs from £13,195.

Topping off the range is the Prestige, which is available from £14,395 – adding luxuries such as 17-inch alloys, a multi-view camera, blind spot warning, climate control and keyless entry.

The options list is also refreshingly meagre, being limited to sat nav mapping updates, leather, metallic paint and a spare wheel.

First deliveries for the Duster are expected from July.