Dacia Spring Review: The Budget Electric Car We’ve Been Waiting For
The electric vehicle (EV) market has seen exponential growth over the last decade, with a plethora of models aimed at urban commuters. While many vehicles like the first-generation Mini Electric, Ora R3, and Peugeot e208 have made their mark, they often come with a hefty price tag, leaving budget-conscious consumers seeking affordable alternatives. Enter the Dacia Spring, a budget-friendly electric vehicle designed to bring electric mobility to the masses. Priced under Rs 20,000, the Dacia Spring promises to be an accessible, practical, and efficient option for city dwellers. In this comprehensive review, we explore whether the Dacia Spring lives up to its promise and expectations.
Overview
The Dacia Spring is a compact, all-electric vehicle that has already garnered attention in Europe and is now making waves in the UK market. Competing against small electric cars like the Fiat 500e, Citroën ë-C3, and the MG4, the Spring offers a unique proposition with its affordability, practicality, and distinct design elements. As a budget-friendly EV, the Dacia Spring aims to make electric driving accessible to a broader audience, without compromising on essential features.
Design and Exterior
The Dacia Spring’s design is a testament to Dacia’s signature styling, echoing elements from the popular Duster model. The car’s compact size is tailor-made for urban environments, making it easy to navigate through crowded city streets. Key exterior features include:
- Distinctive Design: The Spring’s aesthetic is unmistakably Dacia, with its new logo prominently displayed and a grille design that takes inspiration from the Duster. The car features Y-shaped daytime running lights and cleverly hidden headlights, giving it a modern and sleek appearance.
- Cost-Effective Innovations: A standout feature of the Spring is the extreme model’s vinyl camouflage. This design element isn’t just about aesthetics; it serves a practical purpose. In the event of minor accidents or scrapes, the vinyl can be peeled off and replaced, saving owners the cost of replacing entire panels. This innovation underscores Dacia’s commitment to affordable vehicle maintenance.
- Robust Wheel Arches: The black plastic cladding on the wheel arches is designed to be both durable and easy to replace, further emphasizing the car’s budget-friendly maintenance philosophy.
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels: Unlike many competitors that offer alloy wheels, the Spring comes with steel wheels covered with plastic cladding. This choice highlights Dacia’s focus on durability and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that replacement costs remain low.
Interior
Stepping inside the Dacia Spring, you’ll find an interior that reflects Dacia’s commitment to practicality and modern design, albeit with some cost-saving measures:
- Modern Dashboard: The interior of the Spring features a hexagonal steering wheel, Y-shaped air vents, and bronze highlights, particularly in the top-tier extreme model. However, hard plastics dominate the dashboard, gear selector area, and door cards, serving as a clear reminder of the car’s budget-conscious nature.
- Ample Storage Space: Despite its compact size, the Spring offers a range of storage solutions, including large door pockets, a dashboard cubby, and additional storage space in front of the gear selector. This makes it easy to store essentials for daily commuting.
- U Clip System: For added practicality, Dacia offers an optional U Clip system, allowing owners to attach various utilities like a cup holder, flashlight, or phone holder. This feature enhances the car’s functionality and adaptability to different needs.
- Infotainment Options: Base expression models lack a traditional touchscreen infotainment system, instead offering a phone clip and USB socket for connectivity. In contrast, the extreme model features a 10-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though the system is not the fastest in the market.
Rear Space and Boot
The Dacia Spring’s rear space and boot offer a mixed bag of practicality and limitations:
- Rear Seat Space: The rear seating area is notably tight, with limited legroom and headroom, making it more suitable for short trips or smaller passengers. Additionally, the Spring is a strict four-seater, lacking a middle rear seat, which may be a drawback for some buyers.
- Boot Capacity: Despite its compact size, the Spring’s boot offers 308 liters of space, which is comparable to many of its competitors. However, it lacks features like a height-adjustable floor, grocery hooks, or a 60/40 split-folding rear bench, limiting its versatility.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
The Dacia Spring’s performance is tailored for city driving, with a focus on efficiency and practicality. It comes equipped with a small 26.8 kWh battery and offers two motor options:
- Motor Options: The entry-level model features a 45-horsepower motor, while a more powerful option offers 65 horsepower. These motors are designed to provide adequate performance for urban commuting, but may fall short for those seeking more spirited driving dynamics.
- Acceleration: The 45-horsepower model has a 0-62 mph time of over 19 seconds, while the 65-horsepower model reduces that to 14 seconds. While not as quick as competitors, the 65-horsepower motor feels more spirited than its numbers suggest, providing a peppy driving experience in city settings.
- Top Speed: The Spring has a top speed of 78 mph, but maintaining motorway speeds significantly impacts its range, making it more suitable for city and suburban driving.
- Efficiency: One of the Spring’s standout features is its impressive efficiency in urban environments. Thanks to its lightweight design (weighing under one ton), the Spring achieves over 4 miles per kWh, making it an economical choice for city dwellers.
Charging and Range
The Dacia Spring’s charging and range are crucial considerations for potential buyers:
- Range: The official range is 140 miles, which is 50 miles less than the ë-C3 and 75 miles less than the e208.
- Charging Time: The Spring’s maximum charging rate is 30 kW, one of the slowest tested. Charging from 20% to 80% takes 45 minutes. At home, a 20% to 100% charge takes 11 hours with a three-pin plug or 4 hours with a 7 kW wall box.
- Vehicle-to-Load Technology: A notable feature of the extreme model is the vehicle-to-load capability, allowing owners to use the car as a power source for devices like phones, coffee machines, or bike pumps.
Safety and Technology
Safety has been a concern with previous Dacia models, but the Spring addresses some of these issues:
- Safety Features: The Spring includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assistance, and traffic sign detection. However, Dacia has not pursued an updated Euro NCAP rating, leaving the car with a one-star safety rating.
- Driving Dynamics: The Spring’s light steering makes it maneuverable in city environments but feels vague on country roads. The soft suspension provides comfort on uneven surfaces but lacks control on more demanding roads.
Pricing and Value
One of the most compelling aspects of the Dacia Spring is its pricing:
- Affordable Pricing: Starting at just Rs 14,995, the Spring is the cheapest EV in the UK market, undercutting competitors like the Citroën ë-C3 by a significant margin.
- Model Variants: Entry-level models come with basic features, while the extreme model offers additional luxuries, making it a more attractive option for buyers seeking more comfort and technology.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordability: The Dacia Spring is priced lower than most competitors, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
- Urban Efficiency: Its lightweight design and compact size make it ideal for city driving, offering impressive efficiency in urban environments.
- Innovative Design: The camouflage vinyl and U Clip system add practical value for urban dwellers.
Cons:
- Limited Range: The 140-mile range is less than some competitors, impacting its usability for longer journeys.
- Slow Charging: With a maximum charge rate of 30 kW, the Spring takes longer to charge than its rivals.
- Basic Interior: Hard plastics dominate the interior, and entry-level models lack modern infotainment systems.
Conclusion
The Dacia Spring represents a significant step forward in making electric vehicles accessible to a broader audience. While it may not revolutionize the budget electric car market as some hoped, it offers a practical, affordable option for those whose lifestyles align with its capabilities. Its compact size, affordability, and practical design make it an excellent choice for city dwellers seeking a cost-effective and efficient EV. However, for those requiring more range or advanced features, alternatives like the Citroën ë-C3 may be worth the extra investment. Ultimately, the Dacia Spring is a testament to the brand’s commitment to providing affordable and practical transportation solutions, making it a compelling option in the growing electric vehicle market.
For more detailed insights and a full written review of the Dacia Spring, visit WhatCar.com. If you’re interested in exploring more Dacia Spring content, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for in-depth video reviews and comparisons.
Dacia Spring Specs Summary:
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Battery | 26.8 kWh |
Motor Options | 45 HP / 65 HP |
0-62 mph | 19 sec (45 HP) / 14 sec (65 HP) |
Top Speed | 78 mph |
Range | 140 miles |
Charging Time | 20-80% in 45 minutes (fast charge), 4 hours (7 kW home charge) |
Price | Starting at Rs 14,995 |
The Dacia Spring is a reminder that you don’t need to spend a fortune to own an electric vehicle. With its affordable price and practical features, it’s an excellent choice for urban commuters looking for an eco-friendly and budget-conscious option.