Dacia Bigster | Test Drive

Words Marco Rallo / Photos Andy Williams

It has been quite some time since Dacia truly began to make a serious name for itself — it was 2010, the year the Duster was born — and even longer since the brand entered the European market under Renault’s leadership, officially beginning in 1999. The goal was to offer a more affordable alternative to the French brand, built around a philosophy centered on practicality and value for money as the core pillars of the Romanian marque.

We are not here to talk about the Duster, but it is worth remembering just how much this small compact SUV enabled many more customers to enjoy those extra centimeters of ground clearance that so many drivers seem unwilling to give up. Refined over the years and finally brought to full maturity with the latest generation, it is now time for Dacia to continue its evolutionary journey with the Bigster — a model whose name leaves no room for doubt: everything is bigger. Starting with an additional 23 centimeters in length — including 4 cm more wheelbase — there is significantly more room on board, both in the front and rear sections of the cabin. The same applies to the luggage compartment, where some buyers would probably have appreciated a seven-seat configuration, although this option is not available.

The Bigster is a fully fledged SUV, yet by sharing much of its mechanical setup and design with its Duster sibling, it does not forget its roots. As a result, it makes use of a powertrain capable of delivering truly impressive range figures. We are talking about roughly 1,000 kilometers, which, considering the 155 horsepower produced by the 1.2-liter mild-hybrid engine, represents an exceptional balance between performance and efficiency. Naturally, acceleration and top-speed figures are the logical consequence of a fuel-efficient three-cylinder engine, but they do not prevent the car from maintaining a relaxed pace even on secondary roads. In that context, the only flaw that slightly affects the smoothness of the driving experience is the multimode automatic transmission, which does not rely on a traditional clutch but instead uses the hybrid system to manage the interaction between the combustion engine and the electric motor. In theory, gear changes should therefore be smoother, but this is not always the case.

Using the gear selector, it is possible to activate Brake Mode, which regenerates the batteries more aggressively and avoids the need to tackle downhill sections with constant pressure on the brake pedal. Behind the wheel, the Bigster feels precise, while the front-wheel-drive setup delivers agility consistent with its 1,553 kg curb weight, a figure very much in line with what I would have expected. Some drivers may have preferred a four-cylinder engine, something smoother and more refined in its operation, but trust me when I say that you will never truly miss that fourth cylinder and that this Dacia remains sufficiently quiet while cruising.

The interior naturally feels very much inspired by the Duster, but there is a clear perception of the larger overall dimensions. We find a digital instrument cluster paired with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation that, I loved on some days and absolutely hated on some others. The seats are upholstered in MicroCloud fabric, a durable and easy-to-clean technical material. Ideal for owners who intend to use the Bigster without treating it too delicately, though less suited to those who prefer to “slide” comfortably across the seats. Dacia also retains the ingenious YouClip accessories system, a range of gadgets and mounting points that can be attached throughout the cabin and cargo area. One standout example is the smartphone holder.

After several weeks of testing, I expected a much harsher reality check when it came to pricing, but the Bigster manages to remain extremely competitive, with the entry-level versions — including the LPG variant and the 140-horsepower hybrid — starting at around €24,000. The 155-hp Journey trim tested here ticks many more boxes and climbs just beyond the €30,000 mark (€31,900 to be precise), but with fuel consumption hovering around 4.5 liters per 100 km and a generous level of equipment, it offers a uniquely strong value-for-money proposition within the segment. The Journey trim also adds an extra layer of character and visual appeal, completing the package and finally shedding that “cheap car” label Dacia had once assigned to itself.