Should you buy one?

Absolutely. The Dacia Jogger is a fabulously honest, practical and useful car. It’s also incredibly spacious for its size – you simply can’t get seven adult-sized seats in a comparable package, anywhere. This alone will endear it to many, but the fact those seats are set into a comfortable, reasonably well-equipped and efficient car is the icing on the cake.

Upping your budget will bag you an Extreme version with such luxuries as keyless go, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and some very snazzy paint colours – for the same kind of price as a mid-range Vauxhall Corsa.

The hybrid version is very economical and it’s the only Jogger with an automatic gearbox. But truth be told, it’s loud and more expensive, so it’s best to keep things simple. Stay further down the model range, choose the 1.0-litre petrol and really make the most of this car’s phenomenal value for money.

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It’s at this point we’d discuss the Jogger’s relative qualities compared with its rivals, but there simply aren’t any. At least, not brand new. If you want a seven-seater family hold-all for this kind of money, the Jogger is your only choice. You could go down the second-hand route, where similar money will buy a four-year old Skoda Kodiaq. It’s a fine choice and one that may depreciate more slowly in the long-term, but that’s no consolation if you’re seeking the comfort of a new car warranty and all that comes with it.

What we like

Simple, honest and spacious – the Jogger’s all about its interior. Though, considering its price, it’s not half bad to drive either. Ride comfort is excellent, and the performance and economy are really quite impressive.

What we don’t like

It’s a shame those rear seats aren’t more flexible, and it’d be nice if the Jogger were available with a diesel engine. Question marks remain over the safety score, too. A one-star rating from Euro NCAP will turn many buyers off the Jogger, even though it’s not fundamentally unsafe in a crash.