Dacia’s Game-Changer: The New Bigster SUV Set to Rival Luxury Brands at a Bargain Price

October 3, 2024 – Bucharest, Romania:- Dacia is riding high on its success, with the Sandero becoming Europe’s best-selling car, outpacing the Volkswagen Golf. The Duster is also fiercely competing with the Tiguan for sixth place, and with the introduction of the Bigster, Dacia aims to expand its presence into the C-segment. The Bigster, Dacia’s largest vehicle, closely resembles an enlarged version of the Duster, drawing heavily from the 2021 Bigster concept. According to CEO Denis Le Vot, the starting price for the Bigster, equipped with an internal combustion engine, will remain below €25,000.

The design of the Bigster shares similarities with the Duster, as Dacia continues to reduce production costs by reusing parts. This is most apparent in the front-end design, where both vehicles feature similar headlights. However, the Bigster distinguishes itself with a bulkier front bumper and a vertical front end featuring a black grille with Dacia’s link logo. The boxy shape and solid cladding of the side profile stay true to the original concept.

Designers have opted for a combination of glossy and matte black finishes, enhancing durability while highlighting the SUV’s ruggedness. A signature design element is the triangular rear lights, which first appeared on the concept version and are now a standard feature on the production model.

The Bigster comes with standard 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top-tier Journey trim offers 19-inch wheels. Higher trims also allow customers to choose a two-tone exterior with a black roof and a new Indigo Blue color option. Built on the CMF-B platform, the Bigster is 4571 mm long, making it 230 mm longer than the Duster, with a wheelbase increase of 30 mm.

The Bigster’s ground clearance is expected to be around 220 mm, slightly more than the Duster’s 210 mm. The engine lineup consists of four electrified options, with no diesel version due to European environmental regulations. The base model features a 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V mild hybrid system, delivering 130 PS and all-wheel drive. There’s also a 140 PS version with front-wheel drive. Additionally, the Eco-G 140 variant can run on both petrol and natural gas, offering a range of up to 1,450 kilometers.

The top-of-the-range model, the Hybrid 155, combines a 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 155 PS. The hybrid model comes with an automatic electric transmission, which enables the Bigster to travel up to 80% of its distance in cities using electric power at low speeds, reducing fuel consumption.

Inside, the Bigster focuses on space, ergonomics, and comfort. A vertical dashboard creates more room for the front passengers, and all driving information is displayed on either a 7-inch or 10-inch digital panel, depending on the trim level. All models feature a 10.1-inch central touchscreen. Top trims include an Arkamys 3D audio system and wireless smartphone integration.

Dacia promises class-leading space, with a boot capacity of 667 liters, which is larger than both the Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage. For added convenience, the rear seats can be folded down to create a flat cargo space, and features like a powered rear door, panoramic sunroof, and wireless charging are also available.

Safety features include adaptive cruise control and hill descent control, with all-wheel-drive trims offering different driving modes, such as Mud/Sand and Snow. The Bigster will be available in four trims: Essential, Expression, Extreme, and Journey. The base trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and a reversing camera, while higher trims offer more advanced features like dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof.

The Bigster will be available for order in Europe from January, with deliveries starting in the spring. While exact prices are not confirmed, Dacia has stated that the hybrid version will remain under €30,000. The C-segment is highly competitive, with contenders like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Hyundai Tucson, but Dacia is poised to make a bold entry with the Bigster. Only time will tell if it can hold its own in this prestigious market.