Dacia Spring review the most affordable electric car in the UK explained

In a rapidly electrifying automotive world, where cutting-edge features, high performance, and futuristic styling often come at a premium, the Dacia Spring arrives with a refreshingly grounded proposition: an electric vehicle (EV) that’s unapologetically affordable. For car enthusiasts and dealers alike, it raises an intriguing question — is the UK’s cheapest EV, the Dacia Spring, a bargain that delivers, or a budget compromise too far? Add to this discussion the rise of the upcoming Dacia Bigster and the brand’s positioning as a budget SUV disruptor, you’ve got a fascinating moment in automotive strategy to unpack.

Let’s take a deep dive into the Dacia Spring’s performance, practicality, and potential — and why understanding its appeal might help both buyers and dealers make smarter decisions in a dynamic car market.

The Rise of Dacia: A Budget Brand Rewriting Expectations

Dacia, known for its wallet-friendly offerings, has made a name for itself by stripping cars back to their essential elements and keeping costs low. Yet, in doing so, the manufacturer hasn’t skimped entirely on the things that matter: reliability, fuel efficiency, and mechanical simplicity. Enter the Dacia Spring — an electric vehicle that embodies all those principles while stepping into an entirely new powertrain category.

Design Philosophy: Practical First, Flashy Never

• Exterior: The Spring features rugged styling cues — roof bars, SUV proportions, and simple lines — giving it an urban-crossover look.
• Interior: Functional, minimalistic, and durable, but not without charm. Hard plastics dominate, but the dashboard integrates modern touches like a modest infotainment system.
• Dimensions: Compact with a 3.73m length, ideal for urban commuting.

Driving the Dacia Spring: Economy in Motion

The Spring isn’t built for speed — and doesn’t try to be. Its role as an entry-level city EV reflects in its performance metrics, yet it’s still competent and, in some cases, surprisingly nimble.

• Motor: 33kW (44hp) electric motor.
• Battery: 26.8 kWh lithium-ion unit.
• Top Speed: 78 mph.
• Range: Approximately 140 miles (WLTP), ideal for urban and sub-urban use.

The lightweight construction and regenerative braking system contribute to respectable range efficiency. In day-to-day city traffic, the Spring can feel alive and agile. On the motorway, however, it’s clear the Spring prefers the slow lane.

Ride Quality and Handling

• Suspension: Soft setup that smooths out bumps fairly well.
• Steering: Light and uncommunicative, but intuitive for navigating tight spaces.

As a no-nonsense commuter, the Spring offers a direct and unintimidating EV experience. Enthusiasts might scoff, but practical drivers — or fleet users — will see the intrinsic value.

Features & Practicality: What You Get for the Price

You won’t find ADAS stacks or high-end ambient lighting here, but Dacia has included respectable tech and value-adds for the price.

• Infotainment: 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (higher trims).
• Connectivity: USB ports and Bluetooth as standard across trims.
• Storage: 290 litres of boot space (620 litres with rear seats folded).
• Comfort: Manual air-conditioning, electric front windows and simple switchgear.

The Spring’s charging capability is refreshingly simple too. It supports home AC charging and public DC fast-charging (up to 30kW), sufficient to power up from 0-80% in around an hour using a fast public charger.

Affordability: The True Selling Point

Here’s where the Spring really shines. In a market where most EVs still command premium prices, Dacia manages to position the Spring below the £17,000 mark (before government incentives).

• Low base price — makes it ideal for first-time EV buyers or budget-conscious buyers.
• Low running costs — electricity costs are still significantly cheaper than petrol/diesel equivalents.
• Minimal maintenance — fewer moving parts, lower overall upkeep.

For dealers, the Spring is a golden opportunity. Its price point allows broad entry-level appeal, especially in areas with strong EV adoption incentives or where clean air zones penalize combustion-engine alternatives.

The Bigster on the Horizon: Dacia’s Bold SUV Move

While the Spring is charting accessible EV territory, Dacia is also showcasing its ambition through the development of the Dacia Bigster — an upcoming compact SUV that promises to challenge mainstream C-segment rivals. Positioned above the Duster, the Bigster targets a more mature audience but stays within the brand’s affordability ethos.

Bigster Highlights (Expected)

• Design: Boxier, more rugged proportions; LED lighting; distinctive, bold front fascia.
• Powertrains: Likely hybrid and mild-hybrid options, staying in line with EU emission strategies.
• Interior Space: More generous cabin and luggage volume, targeting family buyers.

Dealers should pay close attention here — the Bigster signals Dacia’s intent to compete in higher-value segments without compromising the brand’s price advantage. Enthusiasts looking for no-nonsense utility in a modern wrapper might be the perfect buyers.

The EV That Thinks It’s a Petrol Car?

One of the most curious aspects of the Dacia Spring is its dual personality. It’s powered by electrons but designed and built more in line with petrol car cues — sparse construction, simple metrics, and an everyman look.

For many buyers, this is reassurance. It helps bridge the psychological gap between traditional combustion vehicles and the still-novel experience of EV driving. Dacia seems to have purposefully kept the transition process simple, with no overwhelming tech or interfaces to learn.

In essence, the Spring could be labeled a “petrol car in EV disguise” — and that’s not a bad thing. It can bring hesitant buyers into the EV fold without alienating them.

Who’s the Spring Really For?

The Dacia Spring might not be a fit for every driver — and that’s okay. But for particular buyer profiles, it offers serious value:

• Urban commuters: who want a compact, efficient, and non-intimidating EV.
• First-time buyers: looking for their first electric experience without the cost burden.
• Fleet operators: needing low-cost, low-maintenance vehicles for business use.
• Eco-conscious drivers: ready to ditch petrol but unsure about premium EVs.

A Turning Point for Dealers

From a dealership perspective, the affordability of the Spring — coupled with the forthcoming Bigster’s widespread appeal — offers excellent leverage across segments:

• Low price tags make Spring models much easier to move off the lot.
• Fleet conversion potential for companies trying to electrify.
• Trade-up pathways — buyers start with Spring, move up to Bigster or Duster when ready.

Conclusion: Simple, Affordable, and Surprisingly Savvy

The Dacia Spring might be the most honest EV on the market today. It makes few promises and rarely disappoints. It’s the epitome of form-following-function, delivering where it counts for those who need it most. Couple that with Dacia’s growth into the SUV category and the brand suddenly seems less like a budget alternative — and more like a smart decision for a wide range of drivers and dealers.

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