OFFICIAL NEW DACIA STRIKER

Romanian brand is aiming to score a big hit with its stylish mid-size family estate due to arrive in the UK later this year with mild and full-hybrid power

- Phil McNamara

ALL hail the desirable Dacia! This is the Striker, an all-new, flagship crossover that's set to arrive in the UK market in late 2026 for around £22,000.

The estate is the biggest Dacia yet: at 4.62 metres long, it's around 50cm longer than the Bigster SUV. The Striker is very much a sister car to that halo off-roader, but while the Bigster is rugged and utilitarian, the forthcoming hybrid crossover injects design allure into Renault's value brand.

"We are really proud of this car, particularly the design, positioning and price," said Renault Group's chief design officer, Laurens van den Acker.

The Striker breaks new ground with its swooping roofline, hi-tech lamps and chiselled surfaces. Don't think it's all style and no substance, though: the extended rear overhang and long wheelbase will unlock plenty of space for cargo and passengers.

Van den Acker describes the fivedoor hatchback as an "Allroad Break", with 'un break' the French term for an estate. Thanks to its elevated ride height on wheels up to 19 inches in diameter and wraparound plastic body protection, the Striker lives up to Dacia's outdoor ethos. But the cladding is more streamlined than the Bigster's, in keeping with a silhouette that clearly delivers superior aerodynamic efficiency.