The new Dacia Jogger does not really have direct competition given its price positioning. Except perhaps within the same range, with the Duster …
Presented in September 2021, the Jogger is the latest addition to the Dacia range. His recipe? A base of Sandero Stepway extended to become a slightly raised station wagon available in 5 or 7 places. It thus replaces the Lodgy and Logan MCV. The Jogger, with its modern look and aggressive price-performance ratio, seems to have no direct competition. What if, in the end, its closest rival is within the same range?
A strong rival for the Duster?
The newcomer is indeed walking on the beds of the Duster, Dacia’s successful SUV. Restyled in June, the Duster “2” has already sold nearly two million copies worldwide since its release in 2010. The restyling, rather discreet, does not allow the SUV to benefit from the dashboard recent Sandero, unlike the Jogger for example. The opportunity to confront the two models, which could become competitors when it comes to choosing a new vehicle for Dacia customers.
Barely larger than the Lodgy at 4.55 m long, the Jogger is more imposing than the Duster and its 4.34 m. Normal, since the Jogger can have a seven-seater variant. Modularity side, on the other hand, the two seats in the third row cannot be stored in the floor like other 7-seater vehicles. Handling requires removing the two armchairs to store them at the back of a garage for example. Thus, the new Dacia model can carry only five passengers, and gain in boot space: 708 liters in 5-seater configuration, compared to only 160 liters in 7-seater. The Duster, more compact, displays 445 liters.
A more modern jogger on board
On board, as we have said, the Duster is aging. During its update last June, Dacia did not see fit to review the dashboard of the SUV, yet reworked in other markets where it is sold under the Renault coat of arms. Just he received a larger touch screen (8 inches) and redesigned seats with a longer seat. The Jogger has a much more modern dashboard, 100% taken from the city car Sandero. The 8-inch central touch screen (on high-end versions) overlooks aerators and an insert that are more rewarding than those of the restyled Duster. In terms of technology, both models are well equipped, especially at the top of the range: reversing camera and front / rear parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, heated seats in the front, etc.
Engines: the advantaged Duster
On the engine side, however, things are going bad for the Jogger. A non-rechargeable hybrid version is planned for 2023, derived from the Clio and Captur and offering 140 to 145 hp. But in the meantime, the model has a reduced range, only made up of petrol units. A 110 hp TCe 3-cylinder is planned, as well as a petrol-LPG engine called Eco-G, which develops 100 hp in total.. The Duster has the same LPG version, but offers two 1.3 TCe four-cylinder 130 and 150 hp significantly more versatile, and a 115 hp diesel for heavy-duty drivers. Depending on the version, the Duster has an EDC automatic transmission, while the Jogger is satisfied with a 6-speed manual transmission only. Finally, the Duster offers 4 × 4 variants in the catalog that are useful for some, while the Jogger is confined to traction.
Price: on an equal footing?
For the moment, Dacia has not yet revealed the full prices of its new Jogger. The model, whose first deliveries will take place in February 2022, should be available from around € 13,000. This is barely less than the Duster in its new entry-level Essentiel, the basic Duster version at € 12,490 having been removed from the catalog. The entry-level Romanian SUV is now priced at € 14,490 with the 100 hp gasoline-LPG engine. The SUV climbs up to € 22,900 in the high-end Prestige version, when it is equipped with a 115 hp diesel unit associated with a 4 × 4 transmission.
Photos: Dacia.
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