New: The Dacia Bigster
The latest addition to the Dacia range proves that the big family SUV is not dead, and that it’s actually quite attractive.
Last week, Romanian car-maker Dacia revealed the new Bigster, rounding off the updates and modernisations to their range. The concept for the Bigster was released in January 2021 as part of the brands ‘new chapter’, in which they updated the logo as well as their flagship car, the Sandero. The Duster, their smaller SUV, was refreshed earlier this year.
Photo: The 2021 Dacia Bigster Concept
The Bigster is the largest car Dacia has ever made, at 4.57m long – 20cm longer than the Duster. This translates into considerable boot space: 667L, compared to market rivals such as the Renault Scenic at 545L. Rear leg room is also generous: 24cm.
On a car this size, practicality is almost a guarantee, whereas luxury certainly isn’t. This won’t be a problem as far as the Bigster is concerned, though. Standard on the base ‘Expression’ spec is A 7-inch digital instrument panel, paired with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, which houses the rear parking sensors and camera. On the higher ‘Extreme’ spec, some browny-bronze pieces of trim are added to the interior and exterior, and you can add a panoramic opening sunroof, 6-speaker 3D Sound audio setup and an updated navigation system. The ‘Journey’ spec can also be ordered with adaptive cruise control and a wireless phone charger.
Photos: The new Dacia Bigster and the 2024 MY Duster
Aesthetically speaking, the Bigster is an attractive car. Whenever a new family SUV is released, images of 2000s-era MPVs such as the Renault Espace and Vauxhall Zafira fill the mind. Dacia’s family SUV is elegantly designed, looking both rugged and sleek, and comes in a great selection of colours, with two-tone options, including the new Indigo Blue.
On the inside, the 10.1-inch touchscreen is paired with some actual, physical buttons – unheard of in a new car! There are plenty of storage spaces, and the rear middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders and phone holders angled towards the individual passengers. The seats are available in multiple different materials: washable Microcloud synthetic TEP upholstery on the ‘Extreme’ spec, a fabric focused on ‘enhanced comfort’ for the ‘Journey’ spec, and one focussed on ‘simplicity and appeal’ on the ‘Expression’. The car also comes with Dacia’s YouClip: a system which has multiple mounting points throughout the car for a range of accessories: coat hangers, tablet and phone holders, and more, although these will have to be purchased from a Dacia dealer.
Photos: The Bigster interior
The Bigster has just three engine options: a 140bhp 1.2L petrol with a six-speed manual, a 130bhp option with AWD (linked to a manual transmission, providing for light off-road duties), or a four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors which produce a combined 50bhp, making the total 155bhp, with an automatic gearbox driving the front wheel. The brand claim that the car can stay in EV mode 80% of the time while driving in town.
The Dacia Bigster has promise to be a big seller. While it will only have 5 seats as opposed to the expected 7, the starting price will come in below £30,000, making it one of the cheapest in-class, while being among the biggest and most practical and coming with plenty of kit as standard. To me, the release of this car seems to mark the end of the marque’s re-brand, which they began with the new logo (and wild Bigster concept) in early 2021.
What do you think of the Dacia Bigster?
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