Dacia Bigster Hybrid: New price breaker in the SUV middle class

The Renault branch Dacia has been mixing the European car world for almost two decades. At that time, the brand established a cheap model with the Logan that initiates a success story. Sandero, joggers or duster have long been in the volume segment. With the Bigster, Dacia now ventures into the SUV middle class for the first time and thus in the most toughest competitive segment in Europe. Not only the basic price of less than 24,000 euros is likely to hurt the competition.

Dacia has long been more than a pure cheap home, conquered ever larger market shares and takes up customers who have previously found what they are looking for by established manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Opel or Ford. The new Dacia Bigster is a self-confident declaration of war-a 4.57-meter mid-range SUV with plenty of space for up to five people and solid equipment, and all of the prices from 24,000 euros. Electrified as a hybrid version with 155 hp and with comfort details such as navigation, 19-inch wheels, panorama roof, electric tailgate or all-wheel drive, the price is hardly over 30,000 euros. This is a huge difference to a mass model like the VW Tiguan 1.5 ETSI, which starts at 43,000 euros, or the worldwide bestseller Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with around 41,000 euros.

But the Dacia Bigster was wrong to reduce it to the price alone. Because the crossover is also visually impressive: with its slightly rustic charm, a self-confident mask and LED headlights, plenty of ground clearance and plastic strips, which even contain a significant proportion of recycling material.

As drives, there is nothing spectacular and nothing purely electric, but a hybrid drive that shows in the first test drives how economical you can travel in everyday life. 115 kW/155 hp provide brisk propulsion without a touch of dynamics. And even if Dacia confidently announces that you are perfectly equipped for the big tour with the family with thicker windows and corresponding insulation materials, you shouldn’t expect miracles. The noise level remains moderate – but the interior ambience can fall despite plenty of hard plastic.

The 1.8 liter four-cylinder suction engine of the hybrid version ensures an unexcited progress at higher speeds. As often as possible, the 80 kW / 109 hp combustion engine switches back in slow gallop and leaves the 36 kW / 49 hp electric motor to the propulsion, which the noise level lowers noticeably and lets the 1.5 -ton front -wheel drive swim in traffic. 205 nm maximum torque are not much. After all, the top speed of 180 km/h should be taken into account when paying attention. The standard consumption is super at a good 4.7 liters of 100 kilometers – last but not least, through an automatic transmission, which combines combustion engine, electrical unit and the 1.4 kWh large battery pack under the passenger seat.

If you do not want a full hybrid or value all -wheel drive, choose a 1.2 -liter turbo gasoline engine with too present three -cylinder tone, which does 130 or 140 hp. From the end of the year it will also be available in combination of all -wheel drive and automatic gearbox automatic. The driving behavior is unexcited and inconspicuous, whereby prospective buyers should avoid the 19-inchs, because with them the driving behavior becomes too stubborn and uncomfortable. The noticeable wanking movements when cornering or fast directional changes are disturbing. The steering is smooth, which makes it easier to park in particular. In contrast, the feedback on the brake should be more gripper to give the driver more feedback from the road and the driving condition.

The Dacia Bigster also shows jewelry as outside. Admittedly, at the 1.2-liter base versions of Essential and Expression, which cost 23,990 and 24,990 euros, the interior is in particular down to earth due to the numerous hard plastic elements. But the 155-hp hybrid offers in the noble versions of Journey and Extreme equipment details such as heated seats, digital instruments, an electrical tailgate or a large panoramic roof, which, in contrast to some competitors, can also be opened.

The heatable windscreen, the charging shell for the smartphone or the button for air conditioning are also a real added value. The smartphone integration works well, the central 10-inch screen is large enough, and the shelves are as numerous as the various fastening modules for small parts of all kinds.

The space at the front and back is more than neat and offers four people a cozy place to stay even on longer trips. Admittedly, the seats could be better adjusted at the front and also offer more long -distance comfort for large people. A seat heating in the rear or a movable rear seat would not only be well received by children. But USB ports and a 546 liter load room that can be expanded to 1851 liters by fitting the 40:20:40 divided back seat are values ​​that speak for the bigster.

There is hardly any more SUV for less money at the moment, and not only the German volume crossover should fear the French. The competition from Japan, China, South Korea or France should also be able to have its love with the Bigster-whether real hybrid or mild hybrid variant.

Motor: four-cylinder suction engine with an electric motor
Displacement: 1,799 ccm
Performance: 115 kW / 155 hp
Max. Torque: 205 Nm
Top speed: 180 km/h
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 9.7 seconds
Gears: automatic
Drive: front
Norm consumption: 4.7 liters of super / 100 km / 106 g CO₂
Empty weight: 1,494 kg
Payload: 446 kg
Price: from 30,440 euros