See all New Car Reviews
It has been a decade since the Dacia brand appeared on the Irish market. Dacia has since gone on to become a household name and a marque that has proven to be a popular choice on account of its value-for-money approach. In past decade, the model range has expanded without losing sight of Dacia’s core value of building cars to a budget, ensuring affordability.
Recently, the Dacia brand has undergone a facelift, with the cars receiving an updated logo as part of a new image positioning it as one that's ideal for those who love the outdoors and a more active lifestyle. Tying in with that is the introduction of a new Extreme specification grade available across all models. It is effectively the range-topping trim level featuring several exclusive items.
Aesthetic changes inside and out
Marking the introduction of the Extreme specification is a new exterior colour called Cedar Green, which helps to make the Copper Brown detailing on the door mirrors, bumper inserts and rear badging stand out. It's a styling package that gives the Sandero Stepway a more rugged, almost crossover-like look. Alongside the metallic scuff plates across the base of the front and rear bumpers, the five-door hatchback gets a 'snorkel' decal kit on the leading edge of the front doors that features a topographical design just like you'd see on a map. The gloss black 16-inch alloy wheels are another touch that marks this out as the top-tier model.
It gets the TCe 90 petrol engine, which nicely suits the car's size, providing ample performance. This engine is the only one available for the Sandero Stepway Extreme, and it comes with the option of a manual or automatic gearbox.
Upgraded traction control
Tapping into the more rugged nature of the Extreme line, Dacia equips the Sandero Stepway with a new feature that it calls 'Extended Grip'. Designed as a driver aid for trickier conditions, when selected, it alters the functionality of the ESP and ASR (stability control and traction control) so that the front wheels can spin more freely, thus aiding the car to regain grip – it’s designed for use in a light off-road setting. Drivers can activate it via a button on the centre console.
Elsewhere in the cabin, the Extreme grade brings a new upholstery called MicroCloud, a grey material with a look and feel that is a mix of suede and velvet. It is easy to clean and claimed to be durable, designed explicitly with ‘outdoor living’ in mind. Featuring across the dashboard fascia and door panels as well as the seats, it gives the interior an upmarket look and feel. Thick rubber floor mats repeat the topographical design while simultaneously being very practical if you've got muddy boots on. As with the exterior, there is also some subtle Copper Brown detailing on the inside, within the air vents and on the doors.
Duster Extreme
If you want to go further off the beaten track, the Dacia Duster Extreme is available with a proper all-wheel-drive transmission for tackling more challenging terrain. This setup is paired with a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing up to 115hp. At this stage, the Duster is the oldest model in the Dacia line-up, but it has lost none of its charm that initially made it a hit with SUV buyers.
The manual gearbox isn't as slick as many other European competitors’, but its action suits the rough-and-ready feel of the Duster, especially in this configuration. It's more than capable on-road too, and the Duster's relatively low weight - by SUV standards - means it's efficient as well. If you're planning on sticking to on-road driving, two-wheel-drive options are available using either the TCe 90 petrol engine or the diesel.
Jogger Extreme for hybrid model
Reducing fuel consumption further is another one of the Extreme-spec family and the most recent addition to the Dacia line-up. The Jogger Hybrid wears the latest look very well, giving the seven-seat estate enough of a ready-for-anything image to rival what many SUVs can offer. It's the first hybrid from Dacia, using technology initially developed by Renault, and it works seamlessly without any need for plugs or cables.
The Jogger Hybrid is the nicest Dacia to drive and the most practical and versatile model. The 1.6-litre petrol engine has enough performance to accommodate long-distance motorway driving. However, it comes into its own in urban settings where the compact battery and electric motor can do more of the work. Stick to lower speeds and it spends a decent amount of time using that electric power. The automatic transmission makes light work of driving in traffic, and the interior is one of Dacia's best yet, with a fully digital instrument display and an eight-inch touchscreen capable smartphone mirroring.
A range of accessories
As with the Sandero Stepway, the Jogger is also equipped with Dacia's Extended Grip feature to help get it out of any trouble in the muddy stuff. That means you could explore its camping capability further afield. A new range of accessories is available for the Jogger to complement that Extreme specification perfectly. Its engineers have designed a clever fold-out bed system, for example, that slots into the boot of the Jogger, taking the place of the third-row seats. The unit can fold out within the car, providing a comfortable sleeping area for two adults while leaving plenty of headroom. There’s even additional storage underneath the bed. A huge tent is also available, clipping onto the open tailgate to create a sizeable indoor camping area that uses the car as an extension.
Bigster on the way
Dacia won't be stopping with these Extreme versions, as the company has plans to expand into the highly competitive C-SUV segment with an all-new model called the Bigster - and a brand-new generation of Duster will follow this. The company will also introduce its first fully electric car in 2024. The Dacia Spring is a compact electric city car that aims to be one of the most affordable EVs when it goes on sale, promising a range of more than 300 kilometres.
If its first decade saw Dacia become a household name, the next ten years could see it become one of Ireland's best-selling brands.