UK Drive: Dacia’s Bigster could be all the car you ever need

What is it?

Dacia is a company which has established a reputation for making cars that focus on value. Given that motoring costs have never been higher, that stance is more important than ever, too. However, with all manner of cost-focused cars sweeping in from China, Dacia’s job has never been tougher.

It’s why it is expanding its range with this car – the Bigster. It’s an SUV which enters into a very busy part of the car market, so what can it do to stand out? We’ve been seeing just what the Bigster has to offer.

What’s new?

The Bigster aims to be one of Dacia’s most upmarket models while offering more space than you’ll find in the smaller – and very popular – Duster. Interestingly, the Bigster actually sits on the same CMF-B platform as the Duster, but because of this system’s flexible nature, it allows for a longer wheelbase and more interior space as a result.

Essentially, the Bigster is there for drivers who have considered a Duster but feel too limited by that car’s space and practicality levels.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Bigster is offered with a series of engine options, but we’re in the flagship hybrid model here. At its core, you’ve got a 1.8-litre petrol engine, hooked up to an automatic gearbox and powering the front wheels alone. If you’re after a four-wheel-drive model, then don’t despair, Dacia still offers this in the Bigster via a 1.2-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid petrol version.

This full hybrid model comes with a claimed fuel consumption of 58mpg and CO2 emissions of 106g/km, which are decent for a car of this size.

What’s it like to drive?

The Bigster has that raised seating height that has helped to make the SUV market so popular among buyers, though it’s not as towering as some other models in the market. Around town, the hybrid engine allows you to run on electric-only power for a decent amount of time, though you’ll hear the engine chime in when the batteries are running low.

When you do need to gain some speed, that small petrol engine does get quite vocal and when you’re on the motorway, there’s usually a background drone from it too. That said, when you are travelling more quickly, the Bigster remains stable and comfortable. Visibility all-round is good, too, though we noticed that there’s an actuator for the rear-window wiper housed behind the passenger section of the dashboard. When you use the rear wiper, it ‘clicks’ each time, which can be distracting – particularly when it’s raining heavily outside.

How does it look?

In our Journey-specification car, you also get 19-inch alloy wheels, which make the Bigster look quite premium.

What’s it like inside?

Inside, there’s a good mix of the utilitarian and the more upmarket. There are harder plastics here and there, but the general build quality is good and everything feels well put together. It’d be nice to have some large cupholders in between the front seats, but at least you’ve got some well-sized door bins for storage. They are a bit narrow, mind you, so it’s tricky to get a water bottle in there.

Space in the back is great, too, with the Bigster’s tall, boxy design allowing for plenty of headroom. Legroom is good, too, and though there is a transmission hump in the middle, it’s not too chunky. At 612 litres, the Bigster’s boot area is vast and far more than the one you’d get in the Duster. It’s also square, flat and easy to access, so it makes the whole car into a very practical proposition. You can lower the rear seats as well, increasing the load space to 1,977 litres.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the Bigster start at £25,215 for a standard 1.2-litre petrol model in entry-level Expression trim. At that grade, you’re still getting all of the great practicality that makes the Bigster so useful, and unlike previous Dacia models, it’s not as bare-bones in terms of equipment. You still get a 10.1-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring services, alongside dual-zone climate control and a multiview parking camera. The screen itself is easy to use and intuitively laid out, too.

Our test car came in mid-level Journey trim which bumps the price up to £29,740 when equipped with the full hybrid powertrain. It also adds live traffic services – which you could probably just do through your smartphone’s apps anyway – a handy electric boot and a digital instrument cluster. We’d argue that lower-spec Bigsters come out looking the best; they still bring lots of equipment, but get a price tag which undercuts nearly all rivals.

Verdict

The Bigster is yet another solid effort from Dacia. In a market which is being dominated by tech-heavy options, this car delivers just what families want – space and practicality – at a price which doesn’t go too far.

Is the full hybrid model worth the increase in price? If you’re driving mainly around town, then its extra battery assistance could make an impact on fuel bills, but for all other drivers, we’d reckon the standard mild-hybrid will more than fit the bill and cost less, too.