The Dacia Jogger might easily be all the family car you could ever need. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Dacia's Jogger aims to blend the sensible virtues of an estate car with the usefulness of a compact seven-seat MPV and the style of an SUV. All at affordable pricing that will see you doing a double take. It gets modern engineering tech too.

Background

You'd have thought in today's market that every conceivable market niche would have been filled. Yet in the rush to deliver every conceivable kind of SUV, one segment has been ignored; that for a truly affordable 7-seat family car. And who better to fill that niche than Dacia? If you want seven seats in a family car these days - even in a converted van - you'll need well over £20,000, which Dacia thinks is ridiculous. So the company has taken its Sandero hatchback and lengthened its platform enough to insert a third seating row, so creating this car, the Jogger. At the same time with this model, there are Crossover-inspired looks a world away from the dull conformity of the forgettable Dacia compact estate this contender effectively replaces, the Logan MCV. The Jogger has even been engineered with the option of Dacia's first hybrid engine.

Driving Experience

Almost all Joggers are going to be sold in TCe 110 form, with a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol turbo unit that produces 108bhp and nearly all of its maximum 200Nm pulling power from just 1,700rpm. It's mated to 6-speed manual transmission. The alternative to this unit is a 1.6-litre petrol 'Hybrid 140' powerplant with a dual electric motor and 1.2 kWh battery set-up borrowed from the Renault Clio supermini. Dacia expects the Jogger Hybrid to be able to run up to 80% of its time on electricity in urban driving and it offers 140hp and 62mph from rest in 10.1s (1.1s fastrer than the base version). Across the range, under the skin sits the stiffer, more sophisticated Renault CMF-B platform lately introduced into Dacia's Sandero hatch. Don't expect this to deliver particularly engaging handling dynamics; this car isn't intended for that kind of driving. But it'll be easy to use in town, thanks to a light electrically powered steering system that requires little effort to turn at low speeds. There's an 11.7-metre kerb-to-kerb turning circle. There's more camera safety kit than used to be on Dacias. This one gets an Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS). And can be fitted with Blind Spot Warning, which illuminates an LED light within the door mirror to warn the driver if another vehicle may be concealed from view.

Design and Build

Apart from its freshly-branded corporate grille, the Jogger is just as we first saw it back in 2021. It's still the longest model Dacia makes, measuring 4.5m thanks to the 30cm wheelbase increase it enjoys over its Sandero hatch stablemate. You'll spot the visual SUV vibe here - 200mm of ground clearance, modular roof bars and scuff plates see to that. And disguise the fact that from the B-pillar forwards, everything is pretty much the same as a Sandero. There is though, a 40mm step up at the rear to offer the additional height and width needed for the extra seating row. Under the skin lies a modern Renault CMF-B platform. Inside, there's quite a modern dashboard, embellished with fabric finishes. Infotainment is based around an 8-inch centre monitor with smartphone mirroring. Access to the second row is easy thanks to the 2.9-metre wheelbase, with wide-opening doors and reasonable knee room; you could seat a couple of adults there reasonably. The rear-most chairs are obviously only for kids and reaching them requires a little bit of athleticism. With these extra pews in place, the boot volume is only up to 213-litres, so you won't fit in more than a few shopping bags with all the rows in place. These additional pews don't slide or fold into the floor, so when you're not using them and you need extra boot space, you have to take them out (fortunately, they only weigh 10kg each), freeing up as much as 712-litres of space. If you need more room, the middle row seats roll forward and split 60:40. Maximum carrying capacity is 1819-litres.

Market and Model

So how much are you going to end up paying? Prices start from just over £18,000 and for the TCe 110 petrol engine and manual gearbox configuration there are three trim levels, 'Essential', 'Expression' and 'EXTREME'. Hybrid 140 customers pay from just under £23,000 and choose between 'Expression' and 'Extreme SE'. All of which makes this by quite a stretch the cheapest seven-seater on sale in the UK. Most customers will probably want the mid-range 'Expression' model. The top 'EXTREME' variant at the top of the range features more off road-orientated styling, with additional black body cladding around the wheel arches and bumpers. Plus it gets front and rear skid plates and 16-inch wheels. As for infotainment, well three different multimedia systems are being offered, depending on the trim level you choose. The first one is 'Media Control', based around a smartphone app, which replicates the app content on a dash mounted screen. This interface controls your device's navigation, media and telephone contacts. Ideally though, you'd want to stretch to a variant with Dacia's 'Media Display' system, which gives you an 8-inch centre dash touchscreen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, along with a 4-speaker DAB audio system. At the top of the range, there's a 'Media Nav' system that adds built-in satellite navigation, along with wireless smartphone connectivity, a 6-speaker audio system and two USB ports.

Cost of Ownership

Dacia isn't bothering with a diesel here and at present, there's no sign of the Continental LPG version of the 1.0-litre petrol unit. So you'll need to like the idea of that same three cylinder TCe 110 engine in conventional form, which records up to 48.7mpg on the combined cycle, giving a decent operating range from the 50-litre fuel tank. the CO2 reading is 130g/km. The Hybrid 140 manages 56.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 112g/km of CO2. This electrified variant includes a 'B' (Brake) mode in its fully automatic, clutchless gearbox, which amplifies the regenerative braking and increases engine braking. This mode optimises energy recovery and driving comfort in urban areas. On to the warranty. Dacia offers its latest Zen warranty which can cover you for you to 7 years provided you get your car regularly serviced at a Dacia franchise. This is backed by three years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Service intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles and since most Renault dealers look after Dacias too, you shouldn't be too far from a specialist workshop. It also helps that there's a timing chain that'll last as long as the engine. Dacia offers a choice of pre-paid servicing schemes covering you for either two years and 24,000 miles or three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

We can't help thinking that the Jogger is Dacia's most appealing car to date. There's some of the practicality of a compact MPV for family trips, an extra seating row so the kids can bring friends home from school and a bit of SUV vibe so you'll feel happy parking it at the gym. Yes, it's unremarkable inside, but the cabins of modern Dacias no longer shout 'budget brand' so loudly. Plus most of the kit you really need is available - and a price tag thousands below what you'll pay for a 7-seater from another brand. The Jogger is in many ways just about everything a modern affordable family estate ought to be. And if that's not enough of a recommendation for you, we're not quite sure what is.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Heated rear window

3 speed windscreen wipers

Rear electric windows

Automatic wipers

Dark glass

Drivers one touch electric windows

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

Advanced emergency braking system

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

ABS and Emergency brake assist

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear rubber mats with topographic pattern

Communication

Voice control for telephone and radio

Driver Aids

Reversing camera

Front parking sensors

Lane keep assist

Eco mode

Rear parking sensors

Driver attention warning

Electric power assisted steering

Blind spot warning

Cruise control and speed limiter

Lane departure warning

Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

Traffic sign recognition with speed alert/Intelligent speed assist (ISA)

Rescue code

Driver Convenience

Stop/start system

One touch indicators

Extended grip switch

Driver Information

Check control system

Rev counter

Service interval indicator

Exterior temperature display

e-Call (emergency call)

3.5" TFT instrument panel with on-board computer

Event data recoder

Driving Mirrors

Heated door mirrors

Electrically adjustable door mirrors

Copper brown door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Decopart on instrument panel and door with textile

Engine

Exhaust particle filter

Entertainment

USB socket

USB connection for data transfer and charging

8" MediaNav with DAB Radio, WIFI Smartphone replication, Bluetooth, 6 speakers with Apple Carplay/Android Auto and Extra map

USB-C plug

USB-C plug rear

Exterior Body Features

Black radiator grille

Body coloured door handles

Black longitudinal roof bars

Body coloured front and rear bumpers

Modular roof bars

Rear side wing doors

Initial anti-corrosion treatment

Shiny black shark antenna

Copper brown deco part on fog lamp area

Snorkel sticker with topographic pattern

Door sills in topographic pattern

Copper brown "Stepway" marking on roof bar

Topographic door protection decals and snorkel animation

Copper brown Dacia logo on wheels centre caps

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Electric headlight adjustment

Auto lighting

High level third rear brake light

LED automatic daytime running lights

Y-shaped LED lighting signature

Headlights with LED low beam illumination

Front LED Indicator lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

Glovebox

Soft feel steering wheel

Rear door pockets

12V socket in rear of vehicle

Fabric upholstery

Multifunction steering wheel

Under floor storage in luggage area

Gear shift indicator

2x Rear coat hooks

12v socket in front

Steering wheel controls

Fixed smartphone holder on dashboard

High central armrest with console storage

4 lashing rings

3 load hooks

Elastic straps

Lidded storage bin within the centre console

Height and depth manually adjustable steering wheel

Sliding tray tables

Copper brown doors deco parts

Micro-cloud grey fabric on dashboard

Steel grey interior door handles

Copper brown air vents

Interior Lights

Boot light

Timed interior light

Rear ceiling light

Safety

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Side impact protection

Driver and passenger side airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Front passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Tyre pressure monitor

Door open visual and audible warning

Driver and front passenger airbags

Driver and passenger seatbelt not fastened warning

Side airbags (thorax and curtains - front/rear)

Alcohol imoboliser predisposal

Seats

Heated front seats

3 height adjustable rear headrests

Height adjustable front headrests

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Isofix points for child seats in both outer rear seats

Single front passenger seat

Height adjustable drivers seat with armrest

2 independently folding and removable 3rd row seats

Split folding rear bench seat back

Security

Alarm

Engine immobiliser

Remote central locking

Keyless entry

Automatic central locking

Towing

Towbar preparation

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger vanity mirror with cover

Wheels - Alloy

16" Mahalia black alloy wheels

Emissions - ICE

CO: 0.234

NOx: 0.023

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

HC: 0.024

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 132

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 81.3

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Engine Code: H5D 490/ MD

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: MANUAL

Gears: 6 SPEED

CC: 999

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 72.2

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 6.7

WLTP - MPG - Low: 42.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 52.3

WLTP - MPG - High: 56.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 42.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 48.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.8

General

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 69

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 14E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 70

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 41

NCAP Safety Assist %: 39

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 1

Badge Power: 110

Badge Engine CC: 1.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: Extreme

Coin Description: TCe

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 20.4

Engine Power - BHP: 109

Engine Power - PS: 0

Engine Torque - RPM: 2900

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Top Speed: 108

Engine Torque - NM: 200

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 148

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Power - KW: 81

0 to 62 mph (secs): 11.2

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 205/60 R16

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Rear: 205/60 R16

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY

Wheel Style: MAHALIA BLACK

Vehicle Dimensions

Width: 1848

Height (including roof rails): 1691

Height: 1674

Width (including mirrors): 2007

Length: 4547

Wheelbase: 2898

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1862

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.7

Minimum Kerbweight: 1205

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1200

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 640

Max. Loading Weight: 657

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 212

No. of Seats: 7

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 2085

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Special solid paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Pearl black

Metallic - Urban grey

Metallic - Shadow grey

Metallic - Terracotta bronze

Metallic - Cedar green

Paint - Solid

Solid - Glacier white

Paint - Special

Special solid - Dusty Khaki

Trim - Cloth

Fabric - Titanium black - Jogger - Extreme

Wheels - Spare

Spare wheel