Dacia unveils seven-seat 2022 Jogger for Europe

Good news for European buyers seeking an affordable seven-seat SUV. Renault-owned Romanian manufacturer Dacia has unveiled the Jogger, its latest new-generation vehicle based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi CMF-B platform.

It’s bad news for Australian families looking for an affordable family car though, with the Dacia range currently off-limits Down Under.

A replacement for the Dokker, Lodgy and Logan MCV models, the Jogger is related to the smaller Sandero hatchback – but with a 300mm-longer wheelbase to accommodate third-row seating.

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Combining van and wagon proportions with SUV styling, the Jogger is 4547mm long and sports 200mm of ground clearance, making it the largest vehicle in the Dacia range.

Despite the rugged looks, the Jogger will be available exclusively with front-wheel drive, leaving off-road duties to the Duster medium SUV.

With a cargo volume of 708 litres in five-seat configuration and 160 litres with all seven seats in place, as well as a slew of storage cubbies and cupholders, the Jogger should prove practical for most families.

Dacia has confirmed a hybrid powertrain will become available in the Jogger from 2023 – a first for the value-focused brand – combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with dual electric motors for an estimated 40 per cent reduction in fuel expenses.

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For now, a pair of internal-combustion petrol and LPG engines will be on offer. The petrol option comprises a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine producing 82kW/200Nm.

Meanwhile, a 74kW 1.0-litre turbo LPG engine is available, fitted with a 40-litre tank situated beneath the boot floor in place of the spare wheel.

Combined with the standard 50-litre petrol tank, the LPG claims a combined driving range of approximately 1000 kilometres, sipping an estimated 6.3L per 100km.

Both engines will be matched to a six-speed manual transmission, with an automatic version available in the hybrid, using Renault's F1-inspired ‘multi-mode’ self-shifting, clutchless dog-type transmission.

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The interior of the Jogger will be no surprise to those familiar with its smaller Sandero and Logan siblings, offering a tablet-style 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on flagship variants, plus satellite navigation and a six-speaker audio system.

The 2022 Dacia Jogger will go on sale in Europe later this year, with pre-orders available in the UK from November 2021. Pricing for the Old Continent is yet to be confirmed.

Past reports have pointed to an Australian launch for the Dacia brand, to be distributed by importer Ateco, but the company has yet to make any official announcement to support those reports.

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