The Dacia Jogger has evolved. While the original model established itself as a budget-friendly, multi-purpose vehicle, the updated Hybrid 155 Extreme represents a significant step up in both technology and performance. However, as the price climbs toward the £25,000 mark, the car faces a new challenge: maintaining its “value-for-money” identity while delivering a more premium experience.
Interior Refinement vs. Budget Reality
The cabin has received a much-needed aesthetic overhaul. Moving away from the purely utilitarian feel of the 2021 model, the new interior introduces a more “urbane” atmosphere with greens, golds, and contrast stitching.
Key interior upgrades include:
– Enhanced Materials: More durable and visually appealing seat fabrics.
– Modern Tech: A new steering wheel, updated air vents, and a larger 10-inch central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring.
– Practicality: The standard YouClip mounting system provides versatile points for phones and storage.
Despite these improvements, the “built-to-a-cost” DNA remains evident. The hard plastics lack the sophisticated textures found in higher-end competitors, and some panel sturdiness feels lacking. For a car costing over £25,000, these material compromises are more noticeable than they were at the sub-£20,000 entry point.
Space and Versatility: The Jogger’s Superpower
Where the Jogger truly excels is its packaging. It manages to offer impressive space for a vehicle of its size, making it a formidable competitor in the small MPV segment.
- Seating Flexibility: Both the second and third rows are removable. The second row can also tumble forward, creating a massive cargo area.
- Legroom: With 680mm of legroom in the second row, it matches the larger Dacia Bigster and outperforms rivals like the Citroën C3 Aircross.
- The Trade-off: While spacious, the second-row seats are quite flat, which may impact comfort on long journeys. Furthermore, while the third row is accessible, adult passengers will find it tight.
Driving Dynamics: The Hybrid Complexity
The most significant change lies under the hood. The old 1.0 TCe engine has been replaced by the Hybrid 155 powertrain, a more sophisticated system that offers a vastly different driving experience.
Performance Metrics
The hybrid system delivers much better objective performance than its predecessor:
– 0-60 mph: 8.9 seconds (down from 11.0s).
– 30-70 mph overtaking: 7.7 seconds (down from 12.1s).
The “Mixed Bag” Experience
While the car is objectively faster, the subjective experience is more complicated. The transition between electric and petrol power can feel unintuitive. Because the car decides when to engage the petrol engine to drive the wheels or charge the battery, the relationship between the accelerator pedal and the car’s response can feel disconnected, especially during motorway cruising.
Additionally, while the electric mode provides a smooth, quiet start, the gearshifts during petrol operation lack smoothness. The electric motor doesn’t quite “fill the gaps” during engine transitions, leading to moments that feel less polished than expected from a full hybrid.
Handling and Road Manners
On the road, the Jogger remains a “back-to-basics” driver’s car. It features intuitive steering and a balanced cornering feel that avoids feeling overly heavy in the nose.
Note on Dynamics: While the car handles well in moderate conditions, its high center of gravity and narrow tires mean it can feel unsettled if pushed too hard. It relies heavily on Electronic Stability Programs (ESP) when pushed toward its limits.
The suspension setup appears tuned for a loaded vehicle. When driving solo, the ride can feel slightly firm, suggesting that the car is at its most comfortable when carrying a full load of passengers and luggage.
Conclusion
The Dacia Jogger Hybrid 155 is a highly practical, space-efficient seven-seater that offers impressive speed and modern tech. While it struggles with some interior material compromises and an occasionally disconnected hybrid feel, its sheer versatility remains its greatest strength.
