Dacia’s Bigster mid-size SUV landed earlier this year, featuring highly competitive pricing and debuting the Renault Group’s Hybrid 155 full hybrid among the engine choices. Al Suttie tests it out for a week.

Dacia Bigster Journey Hybrid 155

List price (BiK): £28,995 (27%)   CO2: 106g/km   Economy: 58.0mpg   Test efficiency: 52.3mpg

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Monday

Dacia has built its reputation on the refreshing honesty and simplicity of its cars, which explains why this model is called ‘Bigster.’ Simply put, it’s a bigger take on the Duster theme that’s ideal for anyone looking to step up from the small model or wants a spacious mid-size SUV without the huge expense that now accompanies so many options in this sector. The week ahead promises to be interesting.

Tuesday

The Bigster in my care this week is a 1.8-litre Journey Hybrid 155, so an ideal choice for the fleet driver looking for something decently frugal but also a bit rugged. It doesn’t have four-wheel drive, but there’s respectable ground clearance and, I’m sure, with a set of winter or mild all-terrain tyres it would be more than up to the job. Right now, the Dacia is unfazed by Scottish winter conditions.

Wednesday

An automatic gearbox is standard for this version of the Bigster and generally suits it. It can hang onto lower gears for a moment too long as you accelerate, but the 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo gel together smoothly. It’s also a quiet cruiser on the motorway, as I found out today on a round trip to Edinburgh. It also has soft, cushioning ride on the motorway – just as well given their awful state.

Thursday

The pampering ride on the motorway does translate into more body lean in country road corners than you get in the likes of a Kia Sportage or Ford Kuga. Does it put me off the Bigster? No, as it seems to suit its laid-back approach. As a friend who was in the passenger seat today remarked: “It feels a lot like the Land Freelander did. In fact, this feels like the car Land Rover should have offered as its entry point.” Hard to argue against that.

Friday

Dacia’s figures show the boot of this Hybrid 155 model is smaller than the other engine options in the range. However, at 612 litres with the seats up and 1,912 litres with the back seats folded down, it’s hardly small. In fact, I was surprised just how roomy it was while packing away the weekly shop along with my son’s football kit after training.

Saturday

Another longer trip today in the Bigster and perhaps the only flaw of any note is a bit of wind noise at 70mph. It appears to come from the supports for the large door mirrors, but it’s not so loud as to be a serious demit for the Dacia. In every other respect, it is more than adequately refined. Yes, some of the cabin plastics are not as plush as a few rivals’, but they are solidly screwed together.

Sunday

Idly scanning the specs of the Bigster, it does miss some active safety tech that others have as standard, which explains its mediocre Euro NCAP score. That wouldn’t put me off as I can live without blind spot assist, thank you, and the Bigster’s fundamentally sound offer and keen pricing make it a tempting choice. The fact it’s not trying to be more upmarket than it is also makes it an endearingly honest, simple pick.