• Hybrid Bigster should be cheap to run
• Built tough using hard-wearing materials
• Packed with proven Renault technology

What are the running costs?

I’ve only driven the Dacia Bigster Hybrid so far, but my experience suggests it should be a cheap car to run. I averaged around 50mpg, which is mightily impressive for a car that’s this enormous and this flat-faced.

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You’ll probably need to refuel the 1.2-litre Bigsters more often, especially if you opt for the four-wheel drive model. Our testing found the same engine and drivetrain in the Duster returned around 47mpg. That’s not bad, but the larger, heavier Bigster might see that figure drop as low as 40mpg. I’ll update you once I’ve driven it.

Servicing and warranty

Dacia has plenty of dealers in the UK, as its outlets tend to piggyback off Renault’s network. This is good news because it means you’ll probably have a service centre on your doorstep.

To help spread the cost of maintenance, Dacia offers a range of monthly service plans that cover you for up to four years or 60,000 miles. At the time of writing, the most expensive cost just £24.99 per month, with the cheapest costing just a tenner a month.

On top of that, Dacia recently announced its Zen warranty package that bumps the firm’s maximum cover up to seven years. Like Toyota’s warranty, you need to have your car serviced at a main Dacia dealer to take advantage of the scheme.

Reliability

Don’t be fooled by the new badge. The Bigster isn’t a brand-new car underneath. It’s a stretched Duster – and that’s proved itself to be a tough little workhorse. It’s also built using parts from other Renaults, all of which have offered reliable service in cars like the Clio, Captur, Sandero and Jogger.

The only question mark we have is hovering over Renault’s new 1.8-litre hybrid system. It’s a fresh powertrain, so we don’t have a catalogue of praise or complaints from owners to inform our opinion. We’ll update you if cracks start to show.