Dacia Bigster uncovered: Everything you need to know
Say hello to the all-new Dacia Bigster, which, as you’ve probably guessed already, is a large SUV that will sit above the Duster in the expanding range.
A lot of styling cues have been carried over from the original concept, while the Bigster adds a roomy interior and even chunkier off-road focused body elements.
Dacia Bigster fast facts
- Largest car from Dacia to date
- Hybrid drivetrains
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Hugely practical boot
- Prices tbc – but likely to undercut rivals
Dacia Bigster styling
We’ve known the Bigster is on the cards for a while, with a concept car giving us a taste of what to expect a few years back. And it’s fair to say the production variant has stayed true to this design.
Up front, the looks mirror those of the Duster with the same wraparound headlights and grille design. Below though, things are a little different; there’s a larger air intake area that gives the front a more imposing look than the smaller car.
Round the side, the Bigster looks like a true off roader. It’s a high-riding vehicle, while the extended wheelbase gives it more presence than the Duster. The integrated rear door handle is carried over, while chunky black body cladding runs the length of the vehicle.
At the rear, there’s a forked tail light design that’s become a feature of the Dacia range. All in all, it’s a really cohesive design that gives it a real off-roader vibe. Perhaps this is the true successor to the original Land Rover Defender – in spirit at least.
In fact, you can even add some of Dacia’s “InNature” accessories to further the off-road exploration appeal. Roof racks and even a tent is available.
Dacia Bigster interior and tech
Dacia has previously kept costs in check by stripping out the lowliest models, meaning they didn’t feature a touchscreen infotainment system. That’s not the case with the Bigster though; you’ll find a 10in infotainment is available across the range.
It’s compatible with smartphone monitoring and seems to be well laid out. You also get a digital driver display, with 7in and 10in units fitted depending on the specification.
Ergonomically, things have taken a step up too. The infotainment screen is angled towards the drive, as are the vents and buttons within the centre console. A new steering wheel also features a host of controls.
Dacia hasn’t forgotten about practicality though. As you’d expect the front and rear passengers are treated to ample room, while its 667-litre boot outdoes many pricier rivals like the Citroen C5 Aircross.
The 40/20/40 rear bench seats allow the carrying of bulky items, while the robust easy-to-clean rubber boot mat provides ideal protection in the loading area.
There’s also a raft of other clever touches that can be added to the interior, including a tablet holder for rear passengers, storage areas and even coat hangers.
Dacia Bigster power and drivetrains
From launch, you’ll be able to pick between three powertrain and engine options: The TCe 130 4x4, TCe 140 and the all-new HYBRID 155. The TCe models produce 130hp and 140hp respectively and feature a 1.2-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech.
The TCe 130 gets a six-speed manual gearbox and an all-wheel drive, giving the Bigster true off-road capabilities. Five driving modes feature on this model, including AUto, Snow, Mud & Sand, Off-road and Eco. A hill descent control system is also standard on Extreme models.
The biggest news is the arrival of an all-new hybrid system. Combining a smaller petrol engine with a pair of electric motors, it makes 155hp and is front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
But it’s capable of travelling small distances on all-electric power, which should mean it’s a quiet, relaxed and effortless car to drive around town.
Dacia Bigster release date
We’ll have to wait for further details on UK list prices, but we expect the Bigster to undercut several rivals. According to some sources, entry-level models could cost from just £20,000. We’ll bring you further details as soon as they’re available.
In the meantime, you can check out Dacia lease deals that are available right now by hitting the button below.
