# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost, low weight, low impact, but lots of fun

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost, low weight, low impact, but lots of fun

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost, low weight, low impact, but lots of fun

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost, low weight, low impact, but lots of fun

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content.description[]
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content[]
"description":"Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost

# data.attributes.field_cars_driving.value
There are two distinct driving experiences to driving the Spring: with and without passengers. Without passengers is preferable because you can enjoy the theatrical body roll, bouncing ride and perky acceleration (only up to about 30mph, mind) without recrimination.

Add other people to the mix and you start to feel bad for them flailing about. Still, dial it right back and the Spring is usefully laid back, and that spongy suspension soaks up bumps nicely.

Dacia says it’s put a bit of effort into recalibrating the steering feel after European journalists complained the early models were too light and lacking in feel. The wheel does feel firmer than on the pre-facelift car, but it’s still fairly effortless to get around.

Does it feel really slow?

The 65 version tips the scales at a mere 984kg, and the lower-powered car is another 8kg lighter than that. Whatever the Spring lacks in outright shove is more than made up for by the fact it’s not a two-tonne whopper. It’s perky around town thanks to the sluglet of electric torque (92lb ft for the 45 and 83lb ft for the 65, weirdly) off the line, and can keep up with traffic well enough.

It does start to get a bit out of breath on the motorway (and noisy too, with seemingly absolutely zero sound insulation), but with only 140 miles of range and that's not going to be a problem for very long.

Otherwise, our only real complaint was the front and rear parking sensors, which seem to have a mind of their own particularly when sat in queuing traffic. The other ADAS gizmos – speed limit warning, lane keep assist etc – can be quickly switched off with two presses of a physical customisable shortcut button below the touchscreen.

Will it take ages to charge?

Again, the 30kW peak fast charging rate sounds like you’ll be stuck plugged in for days, but with a 26.8kWh battery it’s all relative. You’ll fill up from 20 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes on a suitable fast charger, while it’ll take just under four hours on a 7.4kW plug, or just under 11 hours on a three-pin.

At current average electricity prices that means around £15 to fill up the whole battery on a public charger and around £6 to do it at home.

# data.attributes.field_cars_driving.processed
There are two distinct driving experiences to driving the Spring: with and without passengers. Without passengers is preferable because you can enjoy the theatrical body roll, bouncing ride and perky acceleration (only up to about 30mph, mind) without recrimination.

Add other people to the mix and you start to feel bad for them flailing about. Still, dial it right back and the Spring is usefully laid back, and that spongy suspension soaks up bumps nicely.

Dacia says it’s put a bit of effort into recalibrating the steering feel after European journalists complained the early models were too light and lacking in feel. The wheel does feel firmer than on the pre-facelift car, but it’s still fairly effortless to get around.

Does it feel really slow?

The 65 version tips the scales at a mere 984kg, and the lower-powered car is another 8kg lighter than that. Whatever the Spring lacks in outright shove is more than made up for by the fact it’s not a two-tonne whopper. It’s perky around town thanks to the sluglet of electric torque (92lb ft for the 45 and 83lb ft for the 65, weirdly) off the line, and can keep up with traffic well enough.

It does start to get a bit out of breath on the motorway (and noisy too, with seemingly absolutely zero sound insulation), but with only 140 miles of range and that's not going to be a problem for very long.

Otherwise, our only real complaint was the front and rear parking sensors, which seem to have a mind of their own particularly when sat in queuing traffic. The other ADAS gizmos – speed limit warning, lane keep assist etc – can be quickly switched off with two presses of a physical customisable shortcut button below the touchscreen.

Will it take ages to charge?

Again, the 30kW peak fast charging rate sounds like you’ll be stuck plugged in for days, but with a 26.8kWh battery it’s all relative. You’ll fill up from 20 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes on a suitable fast charger, while it’ll take just under four hours on a 7.4kW plug, or just under 11 hours on a three-pin.

At current average electricity prices that means around £15 to fill up the whole battery on a public charger and around £6 to do it at home.

# data.attributes.field_cars_editor_title
Dacia Spring review: tiny EV goes for cheap and cheerful, nails both

# data.attributes.field_cars_inside.value
The pre-facelift car felt terribly cheap inside, which would have been a sticking point if the car had come over to the UK like that. But Dacia’s done a lovely job shrinking the insides of the new Duster down to fit inside the Spring.

Don’t get us wrong, the plastics are still cheap and hard (durable would be the euphemism) and there’s nothing fancy about the Spring, but the styling makes up for the sparsity of stuff.

Is there any tech?

You might jest, but the Spring does come with analogue and digital flavours. Of the two trims available (Expression and Extreme), the entry car doesn’t come with a central touchscreen; you download the Dacia app and use that to play your music.

We're yet to sample that, but the Extreme car has a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen that works quite well. It’s got wireless Apple and Android connectivity as standard (and two USB-C plugs if you need them), which is handy because the native satnav isn't very good. It's slow to update the route, easily flummoxed and not always clear to follow at critical moments... cue some hair-raising frolics around roundabouts.

Is it spacious?

No. The Spring is distinctly unspacious, but then you have to remember that it is absolutely tiny. There’s a useful 308-litre boot and 1,004 litres of space with the rear bench tipped down (it’s a single piece), and Dacia claims 33 litres of space around various cubbies up front.

The cupholders in the doors aren’t up to much, but there’s a useful bit of space in the centre of the floor and a little shelf above the glovebox. You can buy some nifty little accessories to maximise these spaces if you so choose.

The rear seats are cramped, but they’ll do for giving lifts around town. And you might feel a little claustrophobic up front if you’re driving with someone possessing a bit of width around the shoulders. Is it roomier than a Fiat 500e? Yes it is. But not quite as cleverly put together as something like the Volkswagen Up (RIP).

# data.attributes.field_cars_inside.processed
The pre-facelift car felt terribly cheap inside, which would have been a sticking point if the car had come over to the UK like that. But Dacia’s done a lovely job shrinking the insides of the new Duster down to fit inside the Spring.

Don’t get us wrong, the plastics are still cheap and hard (durable would be the euphemism) and there’s nothing fancy about the Spring, but the styling makes up for the sparsity of stuff.

Is there any tech?

You might jest, but the Spring does come with analogue and digital flavours. Of the two trims available (Expression and Extreme), the entry car doesn’t come with a central touchscreen; you download the Dacia app and use that to play your music.

We're yet to sample that, but the Extreme car has a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen that works quite well. It’s got wireless Apple and Android connectivity as standard (and two USB-C plugs if you need them), which is handy because the native satnav isn't very good. It's slow to update the route, easily flummoxed and not always clear to follow at critical moments... cue some hair-raising frolics around roundabouts.

Is it spacious?

No. The Spring is distinctly unspacious, but then you have to remember that it is absolutely tiny. There’s a useful 308-litre boot and 1,004 litres of space with the rear bench tipped down (it’s a single piece), and Dacia claims 33 litres of space around various cubbies up front.

The cupholders in the doors aren’t up to much, but there’s a useful bit of space in the centre of the floor and a little shelf above the glovebox. You can buy some nifty little accessories to maximise these spaces if you so choose.

The rear seats are cramped, but they’ll do for giving lifts around town. And you might feel a little claustrophobic up front if you’re driving with someone possessing a bit of width around the shoulders. Is it roomier than a Fiat 500e? Yes it is. But not quite as cleverly put together as something like the Volkswagen Up (RIP).

# data.attributes.field_cars_owning.value
There are two trims: Expression and Extreme. Ironically, Dacia UK has ditched the continental entry spec, Essential, because it didn’t think anyone would want it.

The new entry trim can be had with the 44bhp or 64bhp motors, while Extreme gets the latter only. Expression starts at £14,995, with the bigger motor costing £15,995. Extreme tops out at £16,995. All nice and simple.

What are the trims like?

You get a 7in digital dashboard display as standard, along with cruise control, steering wheel infotainment controls, remote central locking, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and manual aircon.

You don’t actually get an infotainment screen in the Expression model. Instead you can download a Dacia app to play your music and whatnot through the two speakers and any important information is displayed in the digital dash display.

The Extreme upgrade nabs you some fancier interior touches, electric mirrors and back windows, 10.0in central touchscreen with satnav, two USB-C plugs and wireless Apple/Android as well as the V2L setup that allows you to power things from the Spring’s front socket.

The Spring also comes equipped with Dacia’s new YouClip system (bits of plastic that stick out of the dashboard that you can hook stuff on), which means you can buy phone mounts, a little torch, cupholders, extra storage and other assorted accessories.

Which model should I go for?

Dacia reckons that most people will go for the top-spec Extreme car, and we think that’s the sensible choice: £16,995 is still pretty good value for what you get. The Romanian brand is currently doing an offer where you pop down a £2,800 deposit and you’ll get the car for four years at £189 a month. Seems decent to us.

Otherwise there are any number of EVs filtering down to the used market at a similar price that are worth looking at. A Volkswagen e-Up can be had cheaper, but something like the Peugeot e-208 would be a savvy buy at this price.

# data.attributes.field_cars_owning.processed
There are two trims: Expression and Extreme. Ironically, Dacia UK has ditched the continental entry spec, Essential, because it didn’t think anyone would want it.

The new entry trim can be had with the 44bhp or 64bhp motors, while Extreme gets the latter only. Expression starts at £14,995, with the bigger motor costing £15,995. Extreme tops out at £16,995. All nice and simple.

What are the trims like?

You get a 7in digital dashboard display as standard, along with cruise control, steering wheel infotainment controls, remote central locking, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and manual aircon.

You don’t actually get an infotainment screen in the Expression model. Instead you can download a Dacia app to play your music and whatnot through the two speakers and any important information is displayed in the digital dash display.

The Extreme upgrade nabs you some fancier interior touches, electric mirrors and back windows, 10.0in central touchscreen with satnav, two USB-C plugs and wireless Apple/Android as well as the V2L setup that allows you to power things from the Spring’s front socket.

The Spring also comes equipped with Dacia’s new YouClip system (bits of plastic that stick out of the dashboard that you can hook stuff on), which means you can buy phone mounts, a little torch, cupholders, extra storage and other assorted accessories.

Which model should I go for?

Dacia reckons that most people will go for the top-spec Extreme car, and we think that’s the sensible choice: £16,995 is still pretty good value for what you get. The Romanian brand is currently doing an offer where you pop down a £2,800 deposit and you’ll get the car for four years at £189 a month. Seems decent to us.

Otherwise there are any number of EVs filtering down to the used market at a similar price that are worth looking at. A Volkswagen e-Up can be had cheaper, but something like the Peugeot e-208 would be a savvy buy at this price.

# data.attributes.field_cars_stand_first
At 984kg, the Dacia Spring is a refreshing antidote to bloated electric SUVs

# data.attributes.field_cars_verdict.value
For many people the Dacia Spring will be the perfect introduction to the electric car. It will require minimal financial outlay and minimal confusion because it’s so straightforward to drive and operate. Not for the Spring are the agony of endless screen menus, modes and options. So it’s simple, it’s affordable and it’s fun to be in and around. 65bhp is enough when it’s pushing less than a tonne.

We can see the Spring having broad appeal: learners, urban commuters, the eco-minded, those not wanting their new car to baffle them (OK, let’s call them what they are: our senior citizenry), young families and more. The Spring’s appeal is that it’s everything that many electric cars aren’t: it’s not over-wrought or heavy-handed, it’s honest and enjoyable and manages to keep the dream of a low impact electric car alive.

It proves to everyone else it is possible for a BEV to weigh largely the same as its petrol equivalent. Well done Dacia, let’s hope that where you lead, others will follow.

# data.attributes.field_cars_verdict.processed
For many people the Dacia Spring will be the perfect introduction to the electric car. It will require minimal financial outlay and minimal confusion because it’s so straightforward to drive and operate. Not for the Spring are the agony of endless screen menus, modes and options. So it’s simple, it’s affordable and it’s fun to be in and around. 65bhp is enough when it’s pushing less than a tonne.

We can see the Spring having broad appeal: learners, urban commuters, the eco-minded, those not wanting their new car to baffle them (OK, let’s call them what they are: our senior citizenry), young families and more. The Spring’s appeal is that it’s everything that many electric cars aren’t: it’s not over-wrought or heavy-handed, it’s honest and enjoyable and manages to keep the dream of a low impact electric car alive.

It proves to everyone else it is possible for a BEV to weigh largely the same as its petrol equivalent. Well done Dacia, let’s hope that where you lead, others will follow.

# data.attributes.field_cars_verdict_against
Limited range, your passengers won't appreciate the roll-heavy handling, or the basic trim

# data.attributes.field_cars_verdict_for
Honest, charming, lots of fun... exhibits typical Gallic flair and comes across as a latter day Citroen 2CV

# data.attributes.field_cars_verdict_text
It proves to everyone else it is possible for a BEV to weigh largely the same as its petrol equivalent. Well done Dacia

# data.attributes.field_cars_what_is_it.value
This is the new Dacia Spring. Or the facelifted Dacia Spring, depending on which way you look at it. The cute little electric crossover has been on sale on the continent since 2021, but facelift time is your first opportunity to get your hands on a proper right-hand drive version.

Why are we only getting it now?

As a purveyor of cheap and cheerful cars Dacia has very fine margins, so a new model has to be a slam dunk to earn its keep. Dacia’s UK team had to prove the car would sell over here before the carmaker would go to the trouble of glueing the steering wheel on the other side of the cabin.

So while everyone else pumps out £60k electric SUVs, along comes the Spring at a mere £15k to shake things up a bit: the EV market and its passengers, as we'll get onto shortly.

It’s very small, isn't it?

The Spring is classed as an A-segment car, which puts it in line with the likes of the Kia Picanto, Fiat Panda and Toyota Aygo X. But it draws a useful line in the sand against all the bloated, over-batteried SUVs that are pummelling the roads into dust.

It’s tiny, it’s good value and it weighs less than a tonne, which means even though its battery is a mere 26.8kWh, it punches well above its weight with an efficient drive. In fact, over a 40-mile or so run through French motorways, country roads and inner city we saw as much as 6.7mi/kWh. That's bonkers. Any other EV would be doing brilliantly if it crept over 5.0.

Back in the UK on a cold autumnal day, we saw 5.2mi/kWh on an inner city and motorway run. Still far superior to most rivals in those conditions.

What’s the drive like?

The Spring is actually a hoot to drive, provided there isn’t anyone else onboard. The ride befits the name: the car bounces over bumps, rolls energetically through corners and clings gamely on whatever you try to throw at it. You’ll find yourself grinning whether you mean to or not.

Add passengers and you start to develop a bit more self-consciousness about the whole thing, watching people flail about like trainers in the washing machine. Dial things back massively for your nearest and dearest and the car is smooth over bumps and comfortable around town.

Don’t want to carry passengers, ever? The Dacia Spring ‘Cargo’ might be for you, which bins the rear seats and gets a mesh bulkhead, white paint and steel wheels.

What are my options?

Of the people carrying variant, 44bhp and 64bhp versions are available: both have the same WLTP range of 140 miles and consumption figures of 4.4-4.6mi/kWh depending on your wheel size. As we've seen already, you can beat that.

Neither is quick. The entry motor does 0–62mph in 19.1 seconds, the more powerful version 13.7s. Both have a 78mph top speed. We’ve only driven the faster (!) version so far. We're not sure we’d have the patience for the slower one...

And how about longer trips?

The limited range faces off against the flat, unsupportive seats. What will give out first, your back or the battery?

The CCS rapid charging is an optimistic notion, with 30kW the peak rate. Which isn't very rapid at all. Still, it’ll get you from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 45 minutes, plenty of time to get the feeling back in your legs. You won’t be road-tripping the Spring, but that’s not really what it’s all about.

Does it have any rivals?

So this is where Dacia has stolen ahead of the competition: VW Group is trying to get a cheap, accessible EV on sale, but it’s still a little way off.

The Spring’s most immediate threat on paper would be something like the Fiat 500e, but that’s a different proposition. The two cars have similarly compromised rear leg space, but the Fiat is more expensive, pitched as a sort of designer runabout.

Ultimately it comes down to why you want the car: if you’ll be mainly driving about in town, and have access to another car that’ll do longer distances, then the Spring makes sense. Otherwise, the better option would be looking at the secondhand market to find something bigger, more comfortable and with better range.

# data.attributes.field_cars_what_is_it.processed
This is the new Dacia Spring. Or the facelifted Dacia Spring, depending on which way you look at it. The cute little electric crossover has been on sale on the continent since 2021, but facelift time is your first opportunity to get your hands on a proper right-hand drive version.

Why are we only getting it now?

As a purveyor of cheap and cheerful cars Dacia has very fine margins, so a new model has to be a slam dunk to earn its keep. Dacia’s UK team had to prove the car would sell over here before the carmaker would go to the trouble of glueing the steering wheel on the other side of the cabin.

So while everyone else pumps out £60k electric SUVs, along comes the Spring at a mere £15k to shake things up a bit: the EV market and its passengers, as we'll get onto shortly.

It’s very small, isn't it?

The Spring is classed as an A-segment car, which puts it in line with the likes of the Kia Picanto, Fiat Panda and Toyota Aygo X. But it draws a useful line in the sand against all the bloated, over-batteried SUVs that are pummelling the roads into dust.

It’s tiny, it’s good value and it weighs less than a tonne, which means even though its battery is a mere 26.8kWh, it punches well above its weight with an efficient drive. In fact, over a 40-mile or so run through French motorways, country roads and inner city we saw as much as 6.7mi/kWh. That's bonkers. Any other EV would be doing brilliantly if it crept over 5.0.

Back in the UK on a cold autumnal day, we saw 5.2mi/kWh on an inner city and motorway run. Still far superior to most rivals in those conditions.

What’s the drive like?

The Spring is actually a hoot to drive, provided there isn’t anyone else onboard. The ride befits the name: the car bounces over bumps, rolls energetically through corners and clings gamely on whatever you try to throw at it. You’ll find yourself grinning whether you mean to or not.

Add passengers and you start to develop a bit more self-consciousness about the whole thing, watching people flail about like trainers in the washing machine. Dial things back massively for your nearest and dearest and the car is smooth over bumps and comfortable around town.

Don’t want to carry passengers, ever? The Dacia Spring ‘Cargo’ might be for you, which bins the rear seats and gets a mesh bulkhead, white paint and steel wheels.

What are my options?

Of the people carrying variant, 44bhp and 64bhp versions are available: both have the same WLTP range of 140 miles and consumption figures of 4.4-4.6mi/kWh depending on your wheel size. As we've seen already, you can beat that.

Neither is quick. The entry motor does 0–62mph in 19.1 seconds, the more powerful version 13.7s. Both have a 78mph top speed. We’ve only driven the faster (!) version so far. We're not sure we’d have the patience for the slower one...

And how about longer trips?

The limited range faces off against the flat, unsupportive seats. What will give out first, your back or the battery?

The CCS rapid charging is an optimistic notion, with 30kW the peak rate. Which isn't very rapid at all. Still, it’ll get you from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 45 minutes, plenty of time to get the feeling back in your legs. You won’t be road-tripping the Spring, but that’s not really what it’s all about.

Does it have any rivals?

So this is where Dacia has stolen ahead of the competition: VW Group is trying to get a cheap, accessible EV on sale, but it’s still a little way off.

The Spring’s most immediate threat on paper would be something like the Fiat 500e, but that’s a different proposition. The two cars have similarly compromised rear leg space, but the Fiat is more expensive, pitched as a sort of designer runabout.

Ultimately it comes down to why you want the car: if you’ll be mainly driving about in town, and have access to another car that’ll do longer distances, then the Spring makes sense. Otherwise, the better option would be looking at the secondhand market to find something bigger, more comfortable and with better range.

# data.attributes.field_cars_what_we_say
Dacia’s entry EV is everything you want: low cost, low weight, low impact, but lots of fun