BIGSTER NO HIPSTER BUT YOU'LL LOVE IT

Meet the Nissan Qashqai rival the Dacia Bigster, a medium-sized SUV offering no-thrills family transport, off-road looks and a much friendlier price tag.

- 

At a time when most car-makers are pushing prices up, Dacia has done everything possible to bring them down by offering a more basic car to make driving pleasurable without the unnecessary extras.

WHAT'S NEW?

This is a new model for Dacia and launches it into the highly competitive off-roader segment. Brits love high-riding SUVs, and across Europe, three million similar-sized models are sold every year - but prices have ballooned. The Bigster aims to supersize Dacia's sales thanks to its middle-aisle £24,995 price tag and enough accessories to keep drivers satisfied.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?

The Bigster comes with a choice of hybrid engines, but the most popular will be the Hybrid 155. It switches between a 107bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine and a 1.4kW battery. The latter is charged by the car and helps provide efficiency of 60.1mpg on a combined cycle. It hits 60mph in 9.7 seconds with a top speed of 112mph. Occasionally, it runs on EV power alone, but there's no official range as it chops and changes as it sees fit.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?