Failed Lada Grand Niva: Dacia Bigster began to be sold in Europe

Since January, the model configurator has been open in key markets, so we were able to evaluate the simplest configuration. The Dacia Bigster is not seen in austerity: the “base” has alloy wheels, LED running lights front and rear, a multifunction steering wheel, a media system with a 10-inch touchscreen, roof rails, four airbags, cruise control, parking sensors and a rear view camera!

Dacia Bigster: Duster at maximum speed

The Bigster project was announced in 2020, and Renault’s strategy meant that a family of crossovers would be created through the joint efforts of Lada and Dacia: the third generation Niva, the third generation Duster and their extended versions of the C-SUV. The conventional Lada Niva Grand was supposed to be a seven-seater crossover, but due to well-known events the continuation did not work out.

In Europe, the Duster debuted at maximum speed last fall, and now prices and equipment features have arrived. In Germany, the Bigster costs from 24 thousand euros, in France – from 25 thousand euros, and for this money the buyer will receive a 1.2 turbo engine (140 horsepower, 230 Nm) with a 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The simplest crossover can only be white, with rear drum brakes, a classic “poker” handbrake, conventional air conditioning and key starting.

Interior of the base Dacia Bigster
Dacia Interior of the rich version of Dacia Bigster
Dacia

However, all-round disc brakes, an electromechanical parking brake and climate control are already available in the “second” configuration, that is, they require an additional payment of 1000 euros. But an automatic braking system, road sign recognition, and roof rails are available by default. And in general, the top-end crossover differs slightly in appearance: nuances such as two-tone wheels, front parking sensors, keyless entry and bronze decorative inserts have been added.

The all-wheel drive Dacia Bigster costs from 28-29 thousand euros: it has the same 1.2 turbo engine, but in a boost version with 130 horsepower and 230 Nm, the same 6-speed manual transmission. The most expensive are front-wheel drive hybrids: they have the proprietary Renault E-Tech system (155 horsepower, 205 Nm) with a 1.8 naturally aspirated engine, a three-shaft gearbox without clutch and synchronizers, as well as a 1.4 kilowatt-hour battery.

Renault will deprive crossovers of a “joint” engine with Mercedes-Benz

A fully equipped Dacia Bigster can cost up to 35 thousand euros if you agree to options for active recreation. Without “extras” it is also possible to overcome the 30 thousand euro level. However, a Volkswagen Tiguan comparable in size in Europe only starts at 38 thousand euros.

At the price of a Lada: cheap new products for different countries