Dacia Spring review

There are two trims: Expression and Extreme. Ironically, Dacia UK has ditched the continental entry spec, Essential, because it didn’t think anyone would want it.

The new entry trim can be had with the 44bhp or 64bhp motors, while Extreme gets the latter only. Expression starts at £14,995, with the bigger motor costing £15,995. Extreme tops out at £16,995. All nice and simple.

What are the trims like?

You get a 7in digital dashboard display as standard, along with cruise control, steering wheel infotainment controls, remote central locking, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and manual aircon.

You don’t actually get an infotainment screen in the Expression model. Instead you can download a Dacia app to play your music and whatnot through the two speakers and any important information is displayed in the digital dash display.

The Extreme upgrade nabs you some fancier interior touches, electric mirrors and back windows, 10.0in central touchscreen with satnav, two USB-C plugs and wireless Apple/Android as well as the V2L setup that allows you to power things from the Spring’s front socket.

The Spring also comes equipped with Dacia’s new YouClip system (bits of plastic that stick out of the dashboard that you can hook stuff on), which means you can buy phone mounts, a little torch, cupholders, extra storage and other assorted accessories.

Which model should I go for? 

Dacia reckons that most people will go for the top-spec Extreme car, and we think that’s the sensible choice: £16,995 is still pretty good value for what you get. The Romanian brand is currently doing an offer where you pop down a £2,800 deposit and you’ll get the car for four years at £189 a month. Seems decent to us.

Otherwise there are any number of EVs filtering down to the used market at a similar price that are worth looking at. A Volkswagen e-Up can be had cheaper, but something like the Peugeot e-208 would be a savvy buy at this price.