Dacia Jogger Hybrid review

Read Caroline’s Dacia Jogger Hybrid review for all you need to know about buying Dacia’s first hybrid car in Ireland.

The Dacia Jogger caused a stir when it arrived in Ireland in 2022 because it was the cheapest seven-seater on the new car market.

The Sandero and Duster are bigger sellers, but the Jogger still has its place on Irish streets.

When it was launched, the model had a rather limited range and was only available as a petrol manual. Now, Dacia Ireland has unveiled the brand’s first hybrid car, the Dacia Jogger Hybrid.

It promises more efficiency, more power, and if you’re looking for an automatic jogging machine, this is the one you want.

It does cost a bit more than the petrol Jogger, but it still starts at €31,440, which sounds like great value for such a spacious and practical car.

What’s so special about the Dacia Jogger Hybrid?

Opt for the top-of-the-range Extreme model for just €32,940 and Dacia will add a host of extras such as 16-inch black alloy wheels, copper-brown mirror caps and a host of equipment features such as heated front seats, a reversing camera, automatic air conditioning, keyless entry and start, blind spot monitoring and cruise control.

The Jogger isn’t the sexiest car in the world, but it’s a functional blend of rugged styling features from a station wagon, MPV and crossover.

It sits a little higher off the ground than your average hatchback. Cladding around the wheel arches, skid plates and roof bars gives it an adventurous, outdoorsy look.

It also features LED headlights with Dacia’s signature Y-shaped lighting. It now carries the new Dacia logo, just like the latest Sandero and Duster.

But it’s the sheer amount of space inside the Jogger that makes it special…especially considering its price.

Dacia Jogger interior

Like the petrol version, the Jogger Hybrid offers a lot of space and flexibility. It comes standard with seven seats in three rows. The two rearmost seats can even accommodate adults comfortably, and there is room for the feet under the front seats. They can also be folded, folded forward or even removed completely.

The second row seats can accommodate three people, and the floor is quite flat, avoiding competition for legroom. The high roof also means that the headroom is generous. There are not many amenities, but nothing to complain about.

Even with seven seats, there’s plenty of room for a couple of bags or small suitcases placed upright. But once the two extra seats are folded forward or removed entirely, the trunk space really becomes van-like. It’s worth noting that the trunk lid is large and can be awkward to open in parking lots.

Up front, the Jogger’s cabin feels solid, with plenty of hard plastics for its price, but there are some soft-touch materials too, and the seats on the Extreme model are nicely finished with brown contrast stitching. There’s a digital speedometer in the driver’s display, and a large touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Tactile dials and buttons are plentiful, but overall it’s a neatly laid out, functional cabin.

However, the automatic gearshift lever is a bit clunky, which can be awkward when quickly switching between forward and reverse.

Driving a Jogging Hybrid

Dacia offers the hybrid in two trim levels – Expression and Extreme. The equivalent petrol model costs €27,240, while the hybrid costs €31,440.

So, is it worth the extra money? Well, a hybrid has several advantages. With its battery and electric motor, it doesn’t consume as much fuel as a petrol model. In fact, it gets as low as 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres, which isn’t far off in real-world driving. Plus, there’s no need to plug in to charge.

With more power (140hp), you won’t feel stressed when you want to enter the motorway or overtake – although 0-100km/h still takes a fairly leisurely 10 seconds.

It’s also the only option in the Jogger range if you want an automatic car, and it’s much easier to drive.

The ride is still fairly soft and dull, meaning the ride isn’t particularly responsive, but it’s comfortable for what it is. Less pleasant is the amount of road and wind noise that enters the cabin, especially at high speeds on the highway.

The hybrid system itself is mostly smooth operation, offering a B mode for enhanced regenerative braking and an Eco mode to maximize fuel efficiency.

The Extreme model also comes standard with an “Extended Grip” mode, which increases traction when off-roading on loose gravel, for example.

did you like it?

The Jogger Hybrid isn’t perfect, but it’s a good value for the money. It’s spacious, versatile, and a pleasure to drive.

Hybrid cars are now more efficient and ideal for town driving, making full use of the battery and electric motor to run cleaner.

It’s neither a very sharp nor an impeccable driving experience, but it’s good enough and has its own charm.

The new Jogger Hybrid fully demonstrates how far Dacia has come in terms of design, quality and technology.

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By Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Irish Car of the Year judge

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