NIFTY AND THRIFTY
AS INFLATION hits our wallets, we are all bemoaning the cost-ofliving crisis. So I am happy to tell you about the Dacia Jogger — which might just bring you a bit of cheer. Much can be said of this highly flexible and practical seven-seater, designed to cater as much for hard-working but cash-strapped 21st century families on a tight budget as for those with an active outdoor lifestyle.
Some 8,000 have already been sold in the UK since its launch last year, and I’ve just taken one for an extensive and enjoyable spin.
Dacia is the Romanian budget arm of French car giant Renault, and its value-for-money, no-frills vehicles (unless you want to add them) are a delight to drive and fill the price gap left by Skoda before it went all posh.
Prices for the seven-seater Jogger range start at a frugal £18,295 for the 1.0-litre 109 horsepower TCe 110 petrol six-speed manual model in entry level Essential trim. I was driving the midlevel Expression, from £18,444. Yet once tempted in, 70 per cent of buyers trade up to the top spec Extreme with all the trimmings, from £20,585.
And if you want to push the boat out, there’s the top-of-therange, self-charging hybrid 140, which links a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. Costing from £22,995, it offers 56.5mpg fuel economy.
The Jogger has stylish exterior looks and plenty of space inside. The interior is simple but smart, with a straightforward, clever layout. Even with all seven seats in place, you can still fit in a surprising amount of shopping.
It’s relatively easy to get into the generous rear two seats by folding down those in front. These can be removed and stored in special bags.
The Jogger is also easy and fun to drive. Riding on 16in wheels, my TCe 110 accelerates from rest to 62mph in 11.4 seconds up to a top speed of 114mph.
It’s well stocked with kit, including reversing camera, blind-spot warning, cruise control, speed limiter and parking sensors. However, you will have to rely on your smartphone for sat-nav, which is only available in the top Extreme trim.