Dacia Bigster 4x4

FIRST DRIVE Brand's largest model gets the hardware to explore uncharted territory

- Alastair Crooks

THE Bigster is Dacia’s most versatile car to date.

Along with being its largest SUV, it comes with either mild-hybrid or full-hybrid engines, and a plugin version is expected in 2026. The only thing the Bigster hasn't got covered is seven seats — see the Jogger MPV for that. We've already driven the Bigster in its two-wheel-drive forms (the Hybrid 155 and TCe 140), but given Dacia has tried hard to shift its image from that of a budget-focused brand to a more adventurous and rugged car company, it was time to get behind the wheel of the Bigster 4x4.

All-wheel drive models are limited to just the one 1.2-litre mild-hybrid, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It comes in two trim levels, Expression at £27,465 and Extreme at £29,265, the latter of which we're driving here. These prices make it £2,695 more expensive than a Duster with the same trim and powertrain.

It’s no surprise to learn that the Bigster and Duster share the same CMF platform. When we tested the Duster with this engine and all-wheel-drive set up in 2024 we came away impressed with explore uncharted territory its off-road ability and the fact it didn't diminish its on-road manners or usability too much.

The TCe 130 is the least powerful engine available in Dacia's flagship SUV. It produces 128bhp and 230Nm of torque, which gets the car from 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds. In comparison, the two-wheel-drive TCe 140 and Hybrid 155 versions take 9.8 seconds and 9.7 seconds respectively.

The Bigster 4x4 doesn't actually feel that slow on the road. Okay, it doesn't have thrilling straight-line pace but it's only 0.2 seconds slower than the smaller Duster 4x4, thanks in part to it weighing just 38kg more than a Duster, at 1,428kg.