The largest model from budget-friendly brand Dacia has been unveiled with a suitable name to match: Bigster.
The new flagship SUV marks a debut into the competitive mid-sized sports utility market for the frugal value-for-money car brand.
The spacious five-seater, the first Dacia sold with a panoramic sunroof as the Romanian outfit continues to make moves up market, will offer families plenty of headroom and rear legroom when it goes on sale in spring 2025.
But the big question is: how much will it cost.
A big deal: This is the new Dacia Bigster, the budget-friendly brand’s largest model yet…
No official price has been touted for the UK market ahead of order books opening next year, but we have it on good authority that it will start from below £30,000.
Entry versions are likely to ring in around £28,000, which would undercut popular rivals like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and VW Tiguan.
Bosses told This is Money that the boxy SUV has been rigorously tested by Germans drivers to make sure it lives up to its budget-friendly billing.
This is because it is the nation that spawned value for money Aldi and Lidl and is now seen as a world champion at specifying what consumers want in a car that matches quality and equipment without breaking the bank.
Bigster will sit above the Duster as Dacia’s biggest SUV model in the range. Here’s what we know about it so far…
Prices in the UK are said to start from under £30,000. We believe the entry trim levels will cost around £28,000
The spacious five-seater, the first Dacia sold with a panoramic sunroof as the Romanian outfit continues to make moves up market, will offer families plenty of headroom and rear legroom when it goes on sale in spring 2025
The Romanian brand – which is owned by Renault – will price the Bigster to allow it to undercut popular rivals like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and VW Tiguan
Stretching some 4.57 metres in length and more than 1.8 metres wide, the range-topping Bigster Hybrid 155 is powered by a 1.8-litre 107hp four-cylinder petrol engine linked to two electric motors, a 1.4kWh battery self-recharging battery, and a six-speed automatic gearbox.
As the name suggest, these together deliver a combined 155 horse power.
That allows Bigster to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 9.7 seconds up to a top speed of 112mph (to which all Dacia models are limited).
While it’s not going to be the quickest SUV, it will at least be affordable to run.
It should offer an economical fuel return of around 57.6 miles per gallon as well as low CO2 emissions of 110g/km, which should see first-year ‘showroom’ VED tax rates of £190.
Inside, the roomy cabin is bolstered by a driver’s 10.1-inch digital instrument screen and a similarly sized central infotainment display for all passengers
Like the existing models in the Range, the Bigster looks and feel like a far more quality product than when Dacia reentered the UK market over a decade ago
The big advantage of Bigster is the space available, especially in the back where there’s heaps of head and legroom. It will launch as a five-seater but there has been plenty of talk of there being a seven-seat version too
Inside, the roomy cabin is bolstered by a driver’s 10.1-inch digital instrument screen and a similarly sized central infotainment display for all passengers.
Access to the rear is made easier with a hands-free key and electric powered tailgate which is standard on mid-spec models. Another first for the budget-brand is dual zone air conditioning.
Adaptive cruise control is standard on top-of-the-range trims ‘to meet the needs of retail and fleet customers on long journeys’.
One of the biggest plus points of the Bigster is its capacious boot.
At 667 litres, it offers the same luggage capacity as a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
With the flexible rear seats lowered to a flat position, the budget-friendly family car provides a maximum load length of 2.7 metres.
Rubber matting in the boot helps keep it clean.
Stretching some 4.57 metres in length and more than 1.8 metres wide, the range-topping Bigster Hybrid 155 is powered by a 1.8-litre 107hp four-cylinder petrol engine linked to two electric motors, a 1.4kWh battery self-recharging battery, and a six-speed automatic gearbox
One of the biggest plus points of the Bigster is its capacious boot. At 667 litres, it offers the same luggage capacity as a Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Bosses told This is Money that the boxy SUV has been rigorously tested by Germans drivers to make sure it lives up to its budget-friendly billing…
This is because it is the nation that spawned value for money Aldi and Lidl and is now seen as a world champion at specifying what consumers want in a car that matches quality and equipment without breaking the bank
Among its options it has a rear seat divider bolster – called the ‘nomad armrest’ – which doubles as a knapsack.
Other options include a sleep pack double bed to fit inside, a roof rack that fits to the flexible and modular roof bars, a tent that attaches to the boot opening and a cargo box equiped with an organiser that transforms the front seat-back into storage for the rear passenger.
There’s also a bespoke ‘YouClip’ system of accessories to allow owners to easily modify the cabin to their particular taste and needs.
There are three types of centre console – low, intermediate or for the first time high which includes an armrest with a built in cooler compartment, induction charger and generous storage.
Two mild-hybrid versions will be available at launch, both with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and one with four-wheel-drive. The 1.8-litre full hybrid will be the most expensive variant
Bigsters arrival will bolster Dacia’s already impressive range of relatively low-cost vehicles, which includes the bargain £13,795 Sandero supermini, Britain’s cheapest EV the sub-£114,995 Spring – and the new Duster compact SUV
Bigster will come with five adapative driving modes: Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off Road and Eco
Bigster has no leather or chrome in keeping with its ‘eco’ credentials, favouring hard-wearing materials and fabrics, of which about 20 per cent are recycled.
As well as the range-topping Hybrid 155, there are two other mild hybrid powertrain options.
Dacia Bigster: Will it fit in my garage?
On sale: spring 2025
Price: from £28,000 (estimated)
Doors: 5 Seats: 5
Length: 4,570mm
Width (including mirrors): 1,810mm
Height: 1,710mm
Wheelbase: 2,700mm
Drivetrains: 1.2-litre mild-hybrid and 1.8-litre full hybrid
Power: 155hp (155 Hybrid)
Gears: 6-speed manual/6-speed auto
Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.7 seconds (155 Hybrid)
Top speed: 112mph (to which all Dacia models are limited).
Fuel economy: circa 57.6mpg (155 Hybrid)
CO2 emissions: from 110g/km (155 Hybrid)
Boot capacity: 667 Litres (rear seats up)
The TCe 140 has a 140hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox and accelerates from rest to 62mph in 9.5 seconds.
The TCe 130 4X4 is a 130hp version of that same 1,200cc unit linked to an all-wheel drive system and a manual ‘box. This covers the sprint to 62mph in 11.2 seconds. All three have the same 112mph limited top speed.
It has five driving modes: Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off Road and Eco.
Speaking to This is Money, Dacia CEO Denis le Vot said: ‘We interviewed 400 people – mainly from Germany – to find out what they wanted in a SUV of this size. They are the experts.
‘They shop at Aldi and Lidl. They know about value for money. So we listened.’
Bigsters arrival will bolster Dacia’s already impressive range of relatively low-cost vehicles, which includes the bargain £13,795 Sandero supermini, Britain’s cheapest EV the sub-£114,995 Spring – and the new Duster compact SUV.
‘We always promised we would enter this sector. Now we are here. It’s a value for money proposition,’ le Vot went on.
He added that Dacia ‘designs its models to cost,’ knowing that its core customer base prioritise value over anything else.
It fixes the price, then designs and engineers the vehicle to fit the budget. That way it makes clever improvements and advances, he said.
That includes the car being 10 per cent (or 150kg) lighter than it would have been, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
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