Dacia presented the largest SUV in its history. Bigster faces a difficult task – it has to face the offensive of cheap cars from China. What cards does he have in this hand? Does he have an ace up his sleeve? I saw it with my own eyes.
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Dacia Bigster is a model that can easily be called the next phase of the revolution. The Romanians are attacking the segment of overgrown compact SUVs. In addition, they offer several breakthrough solutions. Among them is a version with an electrified drive system connected to a factory LPG installation, which is innovative on the entire market.
There were also a few apparent little things that were previously hard to find in Dacia cars. There are also 4×4 versions and a new, more powerful hybrid. And all this in an attractively styled SUV, characterized by an extremely favorable price-to-performance ratio (from approx. PLN 108,000).
Not long ago, this would have sounded like material for a surefire hit. However, today, in the era of the offensive of cheap models from China, the matter does not seem so obvious. But is it really? I checked it with my own eyes during the pre-premiere presentation of Bigster.
Dacia Bigster: body
When looking at the Dacia Bigster, only one association comes to mind – an enlarged Duster. In fact, the family resemblance of both models is striking. However, this can hardly be considered a disadvantage. The massive body gives the impression of being “armored”, powerful and ready even for the most difficult conditions.
The Bigster was built on the same CMF-B modular platform as the Duster. It is also the same width (181 cm), but all other dimensions have increased. The new SUV from Romania is 4.57 m long (23 cm longer than Duster) and 1.71 m high (5 cm more). It also has a 4 cm longer wheelbase, which this time is equal to 2.7 m.
The car runs on 17-inch light alloy rims as standard, and they can optionally be replaced with even 19-inch rims. And speaking of options, the Bigster can also be ordered with a two-color body, with the roof painted black. This fashionable solution used by many manufacturers appears for the first time in a model with the Dacia logo. Especially for the Bigster, the Romanians have also developed a new shade of metallic paint – Indigo blue.
However, regardless of all these variables, the styling of the Dacia Bigster can be liked, and the car certainly does not betray its budget nature.
Dacia Bigster: interior
Once you get behind the wheel, there are no surprises. And here the family relationship to Duster is obvious, but after delving into the details, it turns out that the new model is a clearly more mature proposition. This is visible, for example, in the equipment of the basic version (Essential), which has a 7-inch digital clock screen and a 10.1-inch central display as standard. You won’t find them in the basic version of the smaller model – the poorest Duster has analog clocks and no central screen.
Once you’re comfortable with the Bigster’s dashboard design, it’s time to get into the driving position. After adjusting the seat and steering wheel (adjustable in two planes), it turns out that there is no room to complain about in front. However, this should not surprise anyone in such a large car. So let’s check what the situation is like in the rear of the car.
Before moving to the couch, let me add that I am 183 cm tall. Although it quickly turns out that in the context of the Bigster’s cabin, this information is of little importance, because I also had plenty of space in the back – in all directions. Importantly, even in models with a panoramic roof window, there was plenty of space above the head.
READ ALSO: New Dacia Duster – a revolution under the hood and an increasingly less budget nature | MEGATEST
Royal conditions at a down-to-earth price?
However, it was not the spaciousness that impressed me the most. The show was stolen by… the air vents for the rear part of the cabin, located between the seats. In theory, it’s nothing extraordinary, but in practice – a groundbreaking novelty for Dacia. You won’t find them in Duster. In addition, it is worth noting the presence of 2 USB-C ports at the back (naturally, they are also at the front) and pockets in the seatbacks. There are also shallow recesses in the doors, but there is no armrest. At least at first glance.
Well, the budget nature of the model has its limitations.
Trunk
And speaking of luggage. There is a huge space of 667 liters for them. The Bigster’s trunk has a regular shape, one lamp illuminating its interior, a 12 V socket, holders for shopping nets and YouClip mounts (this is Dacia’s system of “clever” accessories). Not bad.
However, what is most impressive is the presence of a full-size spare wheel under the floor. Of course, in LPG versions, a cylinder is mounted in this place, but drivers of single-fuel versions will certainly appreciate this increasingly rare sight.
And another little thing previously absent from Dacia. Bigster is the brand’s first model with an electrically operated trunk lid. A small thing, but it makes me happy.
Dacia Bigster: equipment
This way we move smoothly to the equipment. Here, Romanians remain faithful to their philosophy – in the fight for a low price, they focus primarily on what is necessary. Or exceptionally useful or required by law. As a result, Bigster may not be a paradise for gadget lovers, but it is difficult to accuse it of serious shortcomings.
The basic version (Essential) has 17-inch aluminum rims, the already mentioned 10.1-inch central screen, a 7-inch instrument cluster and wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphones. In addition, on board there were, among others: manual air conditioning and reversing camera. Do you need anything more?
If so, the Expression version is waiting in the wings. It expands the list of equipment, including: with dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding mirrors and a 40/20/40 split seat.
At the top were the top variants Extreme and Journey. Dacia, in line with tradition, positions them in parallel, but targets different customer groups. Thus, the Extreme is equipped with 18-inch rims, modular railings, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, satellite navigation with Internet access and a larger, 10-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Journey also rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. In addition, it has an automatically opening trunk lid, a high center console with an armrest and a cooled glove box (another innovation previously absent in Dacia cars) and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. It also has satellite navigation with internet access, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, etc.
Dacia Bigster: engines
However, what is happening most is the Dacia Bigster’s drive systems. So let’s take a look under the hood. There you can find one of 4 engine versions.
Hybrid 155
There are so many new features among the Bigster’s drive systems that it is difficult to choose the most important one. So let’s go one by one. A new hybrid, marked as Hybrid 155, debuts in Dacia’s largest SUV.
It is a development of the Hybrid 140 system, used, among others, in Duster. However, instead of the 1.6 petrol unit, we have a 1.8 liter engine with a capacity of 107 HP. It is supported by two electric units (50 HP main unit and a high-voltage starter-alternator) and a traction battery with a capacity of 1.4 kWh.
Dacia promises fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100 km, but the car is still being homologated and the official WLTP data will be available in the near future. Importantly, the Bigster is the first Renault Group model to have this drive system under the hood.
ECO-G 140
Another novelty is the ECO-G 140 variant. This name covers a turbocharged, 3-cylinder unit with a capacity of 1.2 liters combined with a mild hybrid system. The whole thing generates 140 HP and so far it all sounds quite conventional. However, it quickly turns out that this is unique on the market, because it is a version with a factory LPG installation.
Dacia boasts that this variant has a range of 1,450 km – this would mean that such a Bigster could cover the route from Warsaw to Bucharest without refueling breaks! Well, the capital of Romania is at your fingertips. Unlike the fuel consumption data, for which we still have to wait until the approval process is completed.
TCe 140
The next item on the list is the TCe 140 variant. Here, too, under the hood there is a turbocharged, 3-cylinder 1.2 engine combined with a mild hybrid system and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Dacia declares that the TCe 140 variant will consume 5.6 liters of petrol for every 100 km. This 140-horsepower engine, although well-known from other Renault Group models, has never been offered in Dacia cars before.
TCe 130 4×4
The cherry on the cake is the Bigster with 4-wheel drive. This version also uses a turbocharged, 3-cylinder 1.2 engine combined with a mild hybrid system and a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, this is a weaker, 130-horsepower version of this unit, well known from the current generation of the smaller Duster.
The 4×4 drive can operate in one of 5 driving modes: automatic, snow, mud/sand, off-road and eco. In addition, the Bigster in the Extreme version has a downhill speed control system that is useful in off-road conditions. It operates in the range from 0 to 30 km/h and works with all gears – including reverse.
Dacia Bigster: summary and prices
The Dacia Bigster is sure to be a hit in the compact SUV segment. In addition to his tough advantages, he also has an ace up his sleeve – European descent. Because its main rivals will be cheap SUVs from China, which still remain an enigmatic proposition for many customers.
How much does Bigster cost? The brand’s representatives declare that the cheapest combustion version will be priced at approximately PLN 108,000. PLN (less than EUR 25,000). In turn, the version with a hybrid drive will cost approximately PLN 129,000. PLN (less than EUR 30,000). However, for now, these are just loose declarations and behind-the-scenes rumors. We have to wait a while for the official prices.
READ ALSO: Dacia Duster II or Dacia Duster III – buyer’s guide.
