Latest news with #DaciaBigster
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Dacia Bigster review: This budget contender is good enough to take the ‘ultimate family car' crown
It's past midday in the mountains behind Marseilles in the Bouche-du-Rhône department of France. I'm driving towards Aix-en-Provence and the screen is filled with the yellowish rocky landscape as the engine warbles gently under the bonnet. I'm looking forward to lunch, something well-cooked but simple, comforting and tasty. Ham, egg and chips, perhaps? Welcome to the new Dacia Bigster, a funny name for a ham-egg-and-chips offering in one of the most popular classes of car in Europe, the family SUV, with more than three million sold each year, taking in excess of 23 per cent of all new-car sales. It was only a matter of time before this Romanian-based company, owned and managed by Renault since 1999, grew its version of 'essentiality' into this crossover market. The latest Duster, launched last year, is already making inroads into the smaller B SUV class, while its Sandero hatchback is Europe's best-selling car. Last year Dacia sold a record 31,704 vehicles in the UK, more than Citroen, or Cupra, Honda and Mazda could manage, almost twice the sales of Fiat and making serious inroads into parent Renault's 57,967 registrations. How come? Part of the answer is provided by Denis Le Vot, Dacia's mercurial and hugely likeable chief executive. Priced to sell 'In 2019, the average cost of a car in the C-segment SUV class was €29,000 [£25,434 in historic rates], last year it was €38,000 [£32,168]. So, it was a little bit of the Covid, a little of the supply crisis, a little of energy cost, a little of the cost of the aluminium, or whatever you want,' he says. 'But cars are too expensive and people don't want to spend money on cars any more; they make choices…'. So, like some supermarket promotion, Dacia is turning the clock back five years on prices, except this isn't a promotion; this is what Dacia does. In the UK, the range starts at £24,995, rising to £26,245 for the penultimate Journey trim level and £26,495 for the top Extreme trim. You can't spend any more than £30,000, even for the most expensive model, while PCP deals start at £350 a month with a £350 deposit. These prices are where a lot of the closest rivals start for a car stripped out like a nuclear winter. Does that also apply to the Bigster? A resounding no. From the outside this is a good-looking vehicle, unthreatening, but supermarket-tough with car park-proof grey plastic panels on the sills and around the wheel arches. Heated seats... in a Dacia? And the interior? Dacia has spent the past few years asking questions, mainly of 400 German buyers (where this C-segment SUV market is strongest) what they like, what they don't, and what might convince them to buy one. I'm looking at the results now and I can see a well-designed twin-screen facia with tiles for heated seats, heated steering wheel… Hold on, heated seats on a Dacia? Le Vot bridles. 'Heated seats? Sure. Or people just walk away. These things are the 'essentiality' of the C-segment. We're not going premium, we just coldly and bluntly looked at what three million people every year are used to, and are not ready to be downgraded in any way.' There's lots of intelligent design, such as the middle-seat armrest in the rear containing cup holders and slots for smartphones, along with neat luggage restraint brackets. There's even a camping option with a double bed, as well as versatile roof bars. There's also a rear-seat tilt control in the boot so you aren't forced to dance between rear seats and the boot lid when you have a long load. Those rear seats are comfortable and spacious, with enough room for three large teenagers across the bench, which splits 40/20/40 per cent. It all feels like the Skoda promise of 'Simply Clever', although Dacia's decision to mix up the driver's seat adjustment – forward and back performed manually, with electric height and back recline – takes a little getting used to. You also still sit rather high, and the steering wheel adjustment is rather mean, but views out are expansive, the feeling of airiness boosted in the upper trim levels by a large sunroof (along with parking aids and a rear-view camera). On the road So how does Dacia's 'essentiality' translate into the driving experience? In two words, completely unexceptional. The Bigster is perfectly suited to the job of being a family troop carrier; think school runs, seaside trips, visiting relatives, shopping and more school runs. Or as Le Vot says: 'Right in the heart of the C-segment.' The major drivetrain choices are a 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine delivering 138bhp with front-wheel drive, or 127bhp with 4x4, along with a 153bhp, 1.8-litre front-drive Hybrid 155 – the only one available at the launch. This is an update on Renault's acclaimed hybrid system, with a clutchless automatic gearbox with two motors, and gears engaged with dog gears rather than conventional synchro rings. The larger-capacity, four-cylinder engine has more torque (127lb ft) than the three-cylinder 1.2 to help smooth the gear changes. The engine still booms noisily if you floor the accelerator pedal, and it requires notice in triplicate before overtaking, but driven gently this is a quiet and companionable power unit, brisk enough for a family SUV. Over a variety of road types and surfaces (and on 19-inch wheels) the ride is acceptable, although it feels slightly crashy on very broken surfaces, and slightly floaty on smoothly undulating ones. The body rolls in corners, but it's well controlled and long journeys are comfortable. The steering isn't the sharpest, but it turns nicely off the straight ahead and feels accurate and well weighted. The brake pedal has a bit of lost movement at the top of the travel, but stopping feels strong and progressive once the pads are engaged. The handling is controlled, with fine damping and a neat, confidence-inspiring feeling at the wheel underpinned with safe-and-sensible nose-on understeer. There are no industry-standard Euro NCAP crash test results yet, but quietly Dacia is expecting four stars. The Telegraph verdict What comes across strongly to anyone who has driven earlier generations of Dacia cars is just how much thought and design has gone into the Bigster. It's simply better in every respect. There is greater refinement, with less interior noise thanks to drivetrain improvements, along with more insulation and thicker window glass. The ride comfort is better, thanks to what feels like improved damping and suspension. In the facia the screens are better designed, more spread out and easier to read. Using the 'Perso' switch, with which you can also select various dynamic settings, for also turning off lane-keeping and speed limit warnings, is excellent. In the words of a sports coach, Dacia has raised its game. I think Dacia will sell the Bigster by the bucketload. The facts On test: Dacia Bigster Hybrid 155 Journey Body style: C-segment five-door SUV On sale: now How much? range from £24,995 (£29,245 as tested) How fast? 112mph, 0-62mph in 9.7sec How economical? 60.1mpg (WLTP Combined), 58.9mpg on test Engine & gearbox: 1.8-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol, clutchless geared automatic transmission and hybrid drive system, front-wheel drive Maximum power/torque: 153bhp @ 5,300rpm/129lb ft @ 3,000rpm CO2 emissions: 105g/km (WLTP Combined) Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles (up to 7 years/75,000 miles if annually serviced by Dacia) The rivals Suzuki Vitara, from £26,949 Smaller family crossover but similar prices starting with the Motion Mild Hybrid, front-wheel drive with a 127bhp/173lb ft, 1.4-litre mild hybrid unit and manual gearbox, giving a top speed of 121mph, 0-62mph in 9.5sec, 53.2mpg and 118g/km. Equipment isn't too sparse either. There's also a 4x4 option on top models. Nissan Qashqai, from £30,135 Similarly-sized market-leading family crossover (4,425mm long) but a lot more expensive. Two powertrains are offered: a 1.3-litre mild hybrid with manual or automatic gearbox (including optional 4x4), or 1.5-litre e-power range-extending battery power. The lowest power unit gives 122mph, 0-62mph in 10.4sec, 45mpg and 142g/km. Nicely engineered – and built in Britain.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
India-bound Dacia Bigster scores three stars in Euro NCAP crash tests
The Dacia Bigster was equipped with several safety features, including airbags, ISOFIX mounts, autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, driver attention warnings, and more. Notify me The Euro NCAP has recently published the crash test results for the Dacia Bigster. The India-bound SUV has scored a three-star safety rating, with an adult occupant safety score of 69 per cent and a child occupant safety score of 85 per cent. In vulnerable road uses, the Bigster scored 60 per cent, while in safety assist, its score was 57 per cent. The model that was tested was equipped with a HEV powertrain and was a left-hand drive model. The safety rating is applicable to all Dacia Bigster models that are available on sale. The safety features available on the Bigster model include airbags, ISOFIX mounts, seatbelt reminders, autonomous emergency braking, speed assistance, lane assist system, driver attention warnings, and more. Also Read : India-bound Volkswagen Tayron scores 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash test During the frontal offset test, the passenger compartment was observed to remain stable. Dummy measurements indicated effective protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front seat passenger. A similar level of protection is expected for occupants of different sizes and sitting in different positions. An analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, alongside an examination of the deformable barrier after the test, indicates that the Bigster is relatively non-aggressive to other vehicles during a frontal collision. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 23 May 2025, 12:11 PM IST
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
India-Bound Renault Duster 7 Seater (Boreal) Bags 3-Star ENCAP Safety Rating
The Dacia Bigster, a larger SUV based on the Dacia Duster platform, has achieved a 3-star safety rating at the Euro NCAP crash tests. This rating reflects the SUV's performance in side-impact protection and its ability to mitigate whiplash injuries, and the overall safety. The Dacia Bigster is equipped with six airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and load limiters. It features a front passenger airbag cut-off switch, a seat belt reminder, and Isofix child anchor points. To enhance its crash test performance, the vehicle includes Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) for vulnerable road users and motorcyclists, AEB for car-to-car collisions, speed assistance, lane assist, and a system for detecting driver fatigue and distraction. Let's take a look at the scores it received. Adult Occupant Protection The Dacia Bigster achieved 27.7 points, equivalent to 69%, in the Adult Occupant safety assessment. During frontal offset crash tests, the passenger compartment proved to be stable, providing good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger. However, the driver's chest protection received a weak rating. In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection for both the driver and rear passenger was deemed marginal. The side impact tests yielded excellent protection for all critical body areas, resulting in maximum points. Despite this, the absence of measures for far-side impact protection led to a poor rating in that category. Child Occupant Protection The Dacia Bigster scored 42 points (85 percent), in the Child Occupant Safety Assessment Test. Both 6- and 10-year-old child dummies were well protected during frontal and side impact tests. The vehicle allows for the front passenger airbag to be deactivated for the use of rearward-facing child seats, and it provides clear guidance to the driver about this feature. However, the Duster lacks a child presence detection system. Vulnerable Road Users The Dacia Bigster scored 38.2 points, or 60%, for pedestrian and cyclist protection. The bonnet offers decent protection in most areas, but the base of the windscreen and its pillars provide poor safety. The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system works well for pedestrians and cyclists but lacks features like cyclist door prevention. Pelvis protection is poor, while femur protection is good. The knee and tibia protection had mixed results. Safety Assist Systems The Dacia Bigster received 10.3 points, or 57%, for its safety assist features. These include an advanced eCall system, monitoring for driver status, and a lane support system that gently keeps the vehicle in its lane. However, it doesn't have some advanced features found in other models, such as rear-seat occupant detection and comprehensive AEB, which lowered its score in this area. While the Dacia Bigster continues to be unavailable in India, the third-generation Renault Duster is expected to debut in the country later in the first half of 2026. After the Duster, its 7-seater sibling, the Renault Boreal, is also planned for a later launch.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Third of young Brits call their car ‘a second home' with change of clothes, snacks and deodorant, new study reveals
Almost a third of Gen Z claim their car is their 'second home' – and they keep a change of clothes, deodorant and snacks to hand. A poll of 2,000 vehicle owners found 23 per cent of the younger generation use their 6 Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn expertly packs a car boot with the help of Dacia's app Credit: Joe Pepler/PinPep 6 Vicky Silverthorn shows her packing skills Credit: Joe Pepler/PinPep And while 31 per cent of Gen Z and 19 per cent of Millennials claim they spend so much time in their car it's like their second home, less than one in 20 Boomers feel the same. It also emerged phone chargers, wet wipes and carrier bags are among the top 40 things which But while Gen Z are most likely to keep a travel cup, headphones and spare shoes in their car, Boomers are prepared with an A-Z map book and a first aid kit. Drivers are also prepared for all bouts of weather, with an ice scraper and umbrella the two most popular items to store, followed by sunglasses and gloves. With lip balm, a pair of shoes and a hairbrush to hand for any last-minute socialising. A spokesperson for car brand Dacia, which commissioned the research alongside its AR app's Boot Organiser tool, said: 'Our cars have become an 'Gone are the days of just having a spare wheel and some de-icer in the boot, we like to feel prepared for all eventualities and carry the modern day essentials. 'We know how crowded people's boots can get, whether it's sports kits, children's bikes or prams and walking boots or wellies, we hope to be able to assist optimising space.' Most read in Motors The research also found 41 per cent of owners have had to reconfigure items in their boot to fit things in when Others have had to rearrange the space when taking rubbish to the tip (31 per cent), heading out on a day trip (26 per cent), and going to the airport (22 per cent). With suitcases (26 per cent), bikes (17 per cent) and food shopping (16 per cent) the top things people struggle to fit into their car boot. The OnePoll data also saw eight in 10 claim the size of a boot is important when Following the findings, professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn, has teamed up with Dacia to give drivers tips on how to pack their boot efficiently. Vicky advises creating a checklist to tick off as you go and And if you're arriving at a destination late, make sure the items you'll need are at the top of the luggage, such as wash bags. Vicky said: 'With summer approaching, suitcases will likely cause some issues for road trips. 'It's best to put them in the boot sideways rather than stacking them and soft cases are great to fit around hard ones to optimise the space - I've been trying it out in the Dacia Bigster, and I have loads of room spare. Read more on the Irish Sun 'We all know how tricky it can be when you're going away and suddenly need to fill the car with everything you'll need, be it kid's toys and nappies or festival and camping gear. 'Remove the seasonal items you no longer require which seem to live in your boot - such as ice scrapers - and make room for what you know you'll be using, like picnic blankets and beach towels.' VICKY SILVERTHORN'S TOP 10 TIPS FOR PACKING A CAR BOOT 1. Be prepared: Create a 'Packing Checklist' of all the items you need. This helps ensure you do not forget anything and can actually help you pack more strategically. 2. When in doubt, boot it out: Think about what you actually need to bring with you. If you have to think twice, you probably don't need it. 3. Wheely spacious: There's probably more room in your car than you think. If you have space under the boot floor, use the spare wheel well for smaller items such as wellies. 4. Don't stack, side pack: Pack suitcases sideways instead of stacking them. This way, you can easily slide out the ones you need without having to lift off any others. 5. Layer up: Pack heavier items on the bottom, working your way up in layers. 6. Don't learn the hard way: Soft cases are great to fit around hard cases in a boot, optimising every inch of space. 7. Squeezy does it: Pack things tightly to avoid them sliding and moving around as you drive. 8. It's child's play: If you're taking one, make sure your pushchair is easy to access if you need it on arrival. 9. Boot foresight: If you are arriving late at your destination always pack the items that you will need when you get there at the top such as wash bags. 10. Only the essentials: Use an easily accessible rucksack or storage container to hold key items that you can grab quickly such as chargers and headphones. 6 6 Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn takes a snap of a car boot she packed with the help of Dacia's app Credit: Joe Pepler/PinPep 6 Vicky Silverthorn shows her expert packing skills Credit: Joe Pepler/PinPep 6 Vicky Silverthorn finishes packing a car boot with the help of Dacia's app Credit: Joe Pepler/PinPep
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Renault starts teasing new SUV confirmed to be called Boreal
The alleged Renault badged of the Dacia Bigster is known to have received interest for South Africa once production in India officially starts. Boreal has reportedly been hinted as becoming Renault's version of the Dacia Bigster. Image: Renault Set to only go on-sale in 2027, but confirmed to debut before the end of this year, Renault has released the first teaser image confirming the name of a new C-segment SUV. Part of what it terms its International Game Plan 2027, the newcomer will adopt the Boreal nameplate Renault says 'encapsulates the values that the SUV stands for: technology, status and comfort'. Renault's Bigster? While the brief statement released on Monday (28 April) doesn't provide any further details, apart from the Boreal bowing in Brazil 'in the coming months' and then being distributed in 70 markets, speculation has alleged it will be Renault's version of the Dacia Bigster known to be in the pipeline for South Africa. ALSO READ: Dacia Bigster makes long awaited debut as 'extra long' Duster This, according to who claims the choice of name comes from the Latin word for north wind, while also referring to the god of wind in Greek mythology, boreas. Same engines If indeed the rebadged Bigster, itself the extended version of the new Duster, the Boreal will have the same dimensions as its Dacia sibling, and choice of engines; the mild-hybrid 1.2 TCe 130 that produces 96 kW, the mild-hybrid 1.2-litre Eco-G that makes 103 kW, and the 1.2 TCe 140 that develops 140 pferdestarke (PS) or 103 kW. Completing the range of engines is the Hybrid 155 that combines the normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 1.4-kWh battery pack and a pair of electric motors for a total output of 155 PS or 114 kW. Boreal will seemingly become the rebadged Renault take on the Dacia Bigster. Image: Dacia The arrival of the Boreal will have a further knock-off effect as it will additionally become a third model under Renault alliance partner Nissan, which will be assembled at the Chennai Plant in India from 2026. A move also involving the Duster, which could revive the Terrano name for a second time, the Indian-market Boreal will, reportedly, have seven-seats so as not to overlap with the five-seat Duster. South Africa has expressed interest Given Renault South Africa's hinting last year about its take on the Bigster possibly debuting in 2026 or 2027 on local soil, expect clearer details about the Boreal to be significant over the next few months. As a reminder, the South African-spec Duster offers a choice of two powerunits: the mild-hybrid 1.2 TCe 130 that replaces the much loved 1.5 dCi turbodiesel, and the market unique, Daimler co-developed 1.3 TCe lifted from the Captur that cranks out 113 kW. NOW READ: New Patrol coming as Nissan releases fresh details for South Africa
