Dacia Bigster first drive: is this Britain’s best-value SUV?
March 27, 2025 by Tom Wiltshire
Car changing is a big deal
We’ve been waiting eagerly for the Dacia Bigster ever since we awarded it ‘Most Anticipated Car of 2025’ in the latest Carwow awards. Well, it’s finally here, and deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire’s been driving it…
The Dacia Bigster is finally here, and if you’ve been following its hype on Carwow, you’ll know this SUV has been hotly anticipated – so much that we gave it an award. It’s Dacia’s biggest model yet, sitting above the ever-popular Duster and rivaling family favourites like the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq – but with one killer advantage: price.
Starting at under £25,000, and even fully loaded not much over £31k, the Bigster offers proper SUV space for the kind of money that usually gets you a much smaller car. It’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t feel completely bargain-basement – well, in most places.
Visually, it’s all very Dacia – chunky, rugged and unpretentious, with Y-shaped LED lights and square proportions that help with both looks and practicality. The inside carries that vibe through: it’s surprisingly modern, with a digital dash and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The software’s simple and the physical buttons are a welcome touch – proper knobs for climate control and handy shortcut keys. Big tick.
It’s not all roses, though. You’ll quickly find the interior plastics are about as luxurious as a crate of milk bottles. Everything’s hard and scratchy, but at least it feels like it’ll survive family life. The YouClip accessory system is a fun bonus, letting you clip on cupholders, phone mounts and more.
Where the Bigster really shines is space. It’s huge inside. Adults can stretch out in the back, the seats are comfy for long hauls, and the boot is massive – over 600 litres in most versions. The rear seats even split 40:20:40, which is rare at this price and useful if you’re carrying longer loads.
Engine-wise, you get a choice of two mild hybrids (one with 4WD) or a full hybrid. We’ve tested the latter, and it’s impressively efficient – Dacia claims over 60mpg, and we saw close to 55mpg in the real world. Around town, it’s smooth and mostly electric-powered at low speeds, though the gearbox can get a bit confused when you push on.
It’s comfy rather than sporty, with soft suspension and a relaxed feel. It’s decent on the motorway too – stable and easy to drive – though there’s noticeable wind noise at speed. On twisty roads, it’s not the sharpest tool, and the hybrid gearbox doesn’t love enthusiastic driving. But let’s be honest, this isn’t the kind of SUV you buy to carve up B-roads.
It hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP yet, but it gets a decent spread of safety kit – blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise and more. Dacia’s reliability record is a mixed bag, but the outgoing Duster was beloved by owners, so fingers crossed.
All in all? The Dacia Bigster delivers exactly what it promises: masses of space, usable tech, and rock-solid value. It’s not posh, and it won’t thrill you behind the wheel, but for anyone wanting a practical SUV without the monthly payment sting, it’s hard to ignore.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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