Renault's subsidiary is slated for a crash test, potentially tarnishing Dacia's reputation.
Let's Talk Dacia Bigster: Affordable SUV Faces Safety Concerns
By Patrick Freiwah
Streets Ahead on Price, Behind on Safety
The Dacia Bigster, a rugged and family-friendly SUV, has recently made headlines for its affordable price point. But, the Euro NCAP crash test revealed potential pitfalls in safety and equipment, presenting a setback for the Dacia brand.
A Mixed Bag of Results
The Bigster garnered three out of five stars in the Euro NCAP test series, reminiscent of the Rolls Royce Wraith's embarrassing plunge. Although it displays solid performance in day-to-day aspects, weaknesses appear when it comes to safety.
In the overlapping frontal crash, the Brussels organization discovered an increased risk of driver injury in the chest area. Side impacts were also hazardous, with occupants colliding dangerously. Alarmingly, no points were awarded for the protection of other road users in both dooring incidents and the detection of motorcyclists[1][2].
Adult Protection gets 69%, Child Safety Soars to 85%
While the SUV excels in protecting adult passengers to 69%, children are safeguarded to an impressive 85%. The total score in the crash test amounts to 27.7 points for adults and 42 points for child safety[1][2]. However, protection for other road users only clocks in at 38.2 points (60%), while safety systems manage just 10.3 points (57%)[3].
Critics have pointed out that the Bigster underperforms compared to pricier, similarly-sized SUVs. For instance, putting down around 15,000 euros more secures you a comparable VW Tiguan[2].
A Mixed Bag: A Tale of Two Models
It's not just the Dacia Bigster that falters in safety. The Ford Tourneo Custom, in both its combustion and electric versions, as well as the VW Transporter, received only four stars in the latest crash test[4]. On the flip side, the Chinese models MGS5 EV and Voyah Courage earned a stellar five-star rating, as did the Volkswagen models VW Tayron, Audi A5, and Q5[2][4].
The Euro NCAP crash test serves as a harsh reminder: Safety isn't solely a matter of money[4]. While the Bigster offers a solid basic equipment for a fraction of the cost of its competitors, it demands certain compromises in the realm of safety, particularly in terms of protecting other road users and assistance systems[1][2][3].
Last year, the testing organization sent shockwaves through the industry with its revelation of touchscreens[2]. (PF)
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[1] Euro NCAP: Dacia Bigster crash test results, 2025. [Online] Available: https://www.euro-ncap.com/results/dacia/bigster [Accessed: May 2025]
[2] Autozeitung.de: Dacia Bigster crash test. 2025. [Online] Available: https://www.autozeitung.de/suv/neuwagen/dacia-bigster-test-1811236/ [Accessed: May 2025]
[3] Euro NCAP: Dacia Bigster safety summary, 2025. [Online] Available: https://www.euro-ncap.com/results/dacia/bigster/adult-occupant-protection/ [Accessed: May 2025]
[4] Euro NCAP: Ford Tourneo Custom, VW Transporter crash test results, 2025. [Online] Available: https://www.euro-ncap.com/results/ford/tourneo-custom [Accessed: May 2025]; https://www.euro-ncap.com/results/volkswagen/transporter [Accessed: May 2025]
[5] Euro NCAP: Dacia Bigster safety features, 2025. [Online] Available: https://www.euro-ncap.com/results/dacia/bigster/safety-features-summary/ [Accessed: May 2025]
- Despite the Dacia Bigster's impressive performance in day-to-day driving, its safety features are a point of concern, as it scored only three out of five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test.
- The Bigster underperforms compared to pricier SUVs in terms of safety, with lower scores in protecting other road users and assistance systems, even though it offers a solid basic equipment for a fraction of the cost.
