MOTORING REVIEW: Dacia Bigster from under €30,000

Dacia’s Bigster offers buyers of larger family cars a well-equipped, good value-for-money vehicle, with mild and full hybrid engine options, plus the choice of a 4x4. Dacia claims it is their most luxurious model yet. The focus is on comfort for all five occupants and providing a spacious boot to meet family needs. 

Launched earlier this year, Bigster is the brand’s new flagship model. It shares the same platform as the Duster SUV but is longer, taller, and features a wheelbase of 2,700mm. Families needing two extra seats for relatives or friends should consider the Jogger, which offers seven.

The Bigster features robust SUV styling, with generous proportions, sleek geometric shapes, prominent wheel arches, roof rails, and rear privacy glass. Headlamps and rear lights are positioned at the far edges of the vehicle, emphasising its assertive on-road presence. The front end impresses with its sculpted bonnet and distinctive lighting signature, including the large Dacia Link logo. My test car was equipped with 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Its tall height improves visibility and makes entry and exit easier.

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Inside, the cabin is spacious, accommodating five adults comfortably. I found my driver’s seat cushion somewhat too long for my shorter stature, despite its six-way adjustments including lumbar support. The front passenger seat has four-way adjustments. Both front seats and the steering wheel can be heated. Dacia employs sustainable materials for the interior, with 20 percent recycled plastics, surpassing industry standards.

The dashboard features a sizeable 10.1-inch Media Navigation touchscreen and a 7-inch digital driver’s display. The central screen has a clean layout and is relatively straightforward to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible, and constant connectivity is supported by the wireless smartphone charger and two C-type USB ports.

The gear shifter for the automatic transmission, electric parking brake, and two deep cupholders are situated on the flat section of the central console.

Rear passengers benefit from what Dacia claims to be the best-in-class knee and headroom. The rear bench seat can split 40/20/40 with a foldable centre armrest and two cupholders. Seats can be folded via a lever in the boot, which, at 667 litres, is the largest in its class. Additional features include rear air vents, two small USB ports, and sizable door bins, though a high tunnel can make foot manoeuvring difficult for the middle occupant. My test car was equipped with a power tailgate.

Trim levels include Essential, Expression, Journey, and Extreme, with six exterior colour options.

The new engine range offers more power than the earlier Duster and Jogger models. The TCe 140 engine, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, is an upgrade from the TCe 130 found in the Duster and features 48V mild hybrid technology. The full hybrid option uses the new hybrid 155 engine, delivering increased power, torque, and fuel economy, with claimed consumption as low as 4.6 L/100 km. The Journey HEV 155 (my review vehicle) combines a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 37kW electric motor, producing a total of 155hp. It’s paired with a smooth automatic gearbox and offers ample performance for a large family car. In city driving, it can run in all-electric mode up to 80 percent of the time, delivering up to 40 percent fuel savings. Two main driving modes are available: D for standard driving and B (Brake) for enhanced regeneration braking, ideal for urban use.

The mild hybrid 130 4x4, equipped with a 1.2, three-cylinder turbocharged engine, is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and a 48V hybrid system. It offers driving modes for snow, mud/sand, off-road, and Eco.

Standard features include LED low beam and halogen high beam headlights, automatic headlights, LED fog lamps, rear parking sensors, front and rear sensors with flank protection, a comprehensive blind-spot monitor, and a multi-view camera. The Extreme trim adds roof bars and a panoramic opening sunroof, though the tailgate remains manual.

Driving assistance systems (ADAS) include advanced emergency braking (urban and extra-urban, with detection of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbikes), traffic sign recognition, and an emergency call system, eCall. The My Safety feature allows users to disable certain ADAS functions at startup to avoid manual adjustments each time. During my drive, I found the ‘pay attention’ alert somewhat annoying when I was fully focused. Additionally, a distracting rattle behind the steering wheel was noticeable during my test drives.

The mild hybrid models can tow up to 1,500kg, while the 155hp version can tow up to 1,000kg.

In the latest Euro NCAP safety tests last May, Bigster scored three out of five stars, performing well in side impact and child occupant protection, but scoring lower for frontal adult occupant protection and providing only marginal protection for the knees of both driver and passenger.

Bigster has been announced as one of the seven finalists in the European Car of the Year 2026 competition. The winner will be announced on 9 January 2026 at the Brussels Motor Show. 

Bigster comes with a three-year warranty.

Priced from €29,990; my test car €38,285 including metallic paint. Top price is €39,690.