Dacia Jogger review
You’re looking at the world’s cheapest new seven-seater – the Dacia Jogger, which starts from just under £20k. Part crossover and part MPV, Dacia’s new model has a versatile interior that can be set to carry the family or stripped out to make a sort-of van. It’s brilliantly functional and great value – so, is there a catch? Find out in our Dacia Jogger review.
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Pros
- Affordable
- Practical
- Economical
Cons
- Rivals feel more premium
- Limited engine options
Interior
Our rating: 6/10
Tech and features
This is obviously no Mercedes S-Class. But the Dacia Jogger is well equipped, with everything but the very base model coming with an infotainment touchscreen, climate control, and a digital screen between two analogue dials in the instrument cluster.
You can plug your phone into a USB port, and there’s sat-nav on the screen – it does all it needs to.
Driving position
Everything is manually operated – seats included – but it feels tough and well put together. Sure, there are exposed bits of metal where higher-spec cars would have trim covers, but the Jogger is lighter for it.
And it’s honest. For just under £20k (new), it’s brill.
Performance
Our rating: 6/10
Engines and power
The turbocharged 1.0-litre engine is a lot punchier than you’d expect, the six-speed manual gearbox is tight and easy to use, and the steering is fingertip-light.
In the summer of 2023, Dacia launched the hybrid version called the Dacia Jogger 140, which is powered by a 135hp, 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit mated to two electric motors that offer fully electric power up to 43mph.
You also get up to 56.5mpg, making it very efficient.
Handling and ride comfort
In fact, all control weighting is light, and the ride is squidgy. Add in brilliantly comfy seats, and you could munch miles in a Jogger, no problem.
We drove in urban traffic, along the motorway and then out in the country, with suitcases and a bicycle in the back, and nowhere did the Dacia break a sweat.
Practicality
Our rating: 8/10
Rear seats
Practicality is the Jogger’s strongest point. It’s a proper seven-seater, with a back pair of chairs that are just about big enough for adults but are clearly intended for kids.
Take them out (they can be fully removed with the press of a couple of releases) and you have yourself a five-seater with an SUV-sized boot.
Fold down the middle bench and you have a van-like load space.
Oh, and those roof racks are standard-fitment, plus the Jogger can tow a braked trailer of 1,200kg.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
Reliability
It’s impossible to test the reliability of such a new model yet, but we do know the Jogger's 1.0-litre three-cylinder from other cars, such as the Dacia Sandero.
From this, we can tell that it’s reliable, and during our week in the Jogger, it never so much as missed a beat.
Fuel economy
Best of all, we averaged well over 40mpg during our days of mixed driving. Cruise on the motorway and you’ll be nudging 50mpg, according to the digital readout. Happy days.
The verdict
Interior
6/10
Performance
6/10
Practicality
8/10
Running costs
8/10
It’s a bargain. The Dacia Jogger is a lot of car for the money – literally and figuratively. It over-delivers in so many ways.
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