OFFICIAL NEW DACIA BIGSTER

Dacia moves upmarket by offering space and equipment aplenty in its all-new large SUV

MEET the all-new Dacia Bigster: the rather aptly named bigger, more practical brother of our 2024 Small SUV of the Year, the Dacia Duster, and the value-focused brand's first crack at the hugely important mid-size SUV market. It will arrive next year to challenge big sellers such as the Kia Sportage, MG HS and Nissan Qashqai.

The Bigster's name and squarejawed design should be familiar, because a concept model was unveiled back in 2021 and previewed Dacia's latest design language, which went on to shape the Mk3 Duster.

The production Bigster looks undeniably tough, thanks to pronounced, boxy wheelarches, skid plates at the front and rear, and lots of protective cladding.

That cladding, along with most of the rear bumper, is made from Starkle a material created by Dacia's engineers that contains up to 20 per cent recycled polypropylene.

The skid plates, meanwhile, are, according to Dacia, "dyed in mass" - meaning they're the same colour all the way through, making any scratches harder to see.

Other notable design features include Y-shaped headlights and taillights like those on the Duster which have been pushed to the edges of the car to help create the impression of a wide stance. In the centre of the gloss black grille is the familiar 'Dacia Link' logo, and there's a new Indigo Blue paint colour (seen here) that's exclusive to the Bigster.

The cabin design is identical to the Duster's. Every Bigster features a large 10.1-inch central touchscreen running the latest infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Below that is a row of toggles for the climate controls, while the driver gets either a seven-inch or 10.1-inch instrument display, depending on model.

Dacia says the 4.57-metre-long Bigster is one of the most spacious offerings in its class, and can comfortably accommodate five passengers and all their luggage.