Bigster Debut: Dacia's Bold Move Into The C-Segment

Dacia has been experiencing significant success recently, with the Sandero emerging as Europe's top-selling car and the Duster challenging the VW Tiguan. Now, Dacia is stepping up its game with the Bigster, the largest vehicle they’ve ever made. The Bigster marks the brand’s first foray into the C-segment and looks set to make a splash. Despite Dacia's claims of being an entirely new model, the Bigster bears a resemblance to the Duster XL.

It’s a production version of the 2021 Bigster concept, and for a budget-friendly SUV, it’s surprisingly sharp-looking. Although Dacia hasn't revealed the prices yet, we expect it to be among the most affordable cars in its class. Bigger than the Duster, the Bigster measures 180 inches (4.57 meters) long, 71.2 inches (1.81 meters) wide, and 67.3 inches (1.71 meters) tall, with a wheelbase of 106.2 inches (2.7 meters), giving it a roomier feel inside.

The Bigster boasts a wealth of technology and features, such as an electric tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, and a digital cockpit featuring dual 10-inch displays. Not exactly barebones Dacia, right? Under the hood, the Bigster offers a diverse range of powertrains.

Dacia ditched diesels in favor of a hybrid setup, marking its first use of Renault's Hybrid 155 configuration. This powertrain combines a gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 1.4-kWh battery, letting the Bigster spend up to 80% of its time in pure electric mode around town.

If hybrid isn’t your thing, there’s also a TCe 140, featuring a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo engine paired with a mild-hybrid system. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for those who want more off-road capability.

In fact, the Bigster even offers selectable driving modes—Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road, and Eco—making it a solid contender for adventurers. For efficiency lovers, there’s also the ECO-G 140, a version of the same 1.2-liter engine that runs on liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

It offers a whopping range of 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) thanks to a dual-fuel system with both gasoline and LPG tanks. What’s even cooler? Dacia offers a bunch of fun accessories for the Bigster, like a double bed that sets up in two minutes after folding the back seats and a Sleep Pack that adds storage solutions.

And if that’s not enough, the modular roof rails can handle up to 176 pounds, making it perfect for camping trips with a roof tent. With its bigger size, more tech, and hybrid engines, the Bigster will likely be priced higher than the Duster.

But if Dacia can keep the price competitive, this SUV could be another hit for the brand. After all, the Duster has racked up over two million sales since its debut, and Dacia is hoping the Bigster can follow suit. Dacia plans to introduce the Bigster at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, announcing its pricing in January 2025 and initiating sales in April.