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New Car Review | Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140

Published 21st February 2023Read Time 15 min

Good Stuff 👍

Seven seats at an affordable price, decent fuel economy

Bad Stuff 👎

Interior is basic, reduced towing capacity

What is the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140?

The Jogger Hybrid 140 is the first electrified Dacia.

If you want to talk about ‘bang of your buck’, few car brands deliver as much for so little as Dacia. Following the introduction of the Jogger in 2022 to claim the crown as Ireland’s most affordable seven-seater, it was also voted Best Overall Car in The AA Car Awards. Now that model offering is expanding with the introduction of a hybrid version that will be not only the most powerful version but also the most fuel efficient.  

How about the looks of the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140?

Boxy but good with a hint of SUV ruggedness.

Part of what makes the Dacia Jogger Hybrid unique is how it borrows elements from different genres and blends them into one. The estate body style means it has loads of room inside, but unlike most regular estates, it also sits higher, giving it a generous 200mm of ground clearance. There’s a new look to the front of the Jogger Hybrids grille, as it carries the brand’s new identity, which will make its way to the rest of the model’s in the range. You also get chunky styling through protective plastic cladding around the wheel arches and along the sills. Tough-looking scuff plates on the base of the bumpers hint at off-road ability, but the Jogger Hybrid remains only a front-wheel-drive setup. 

With the Extreme version, the highest specification grade, the Jogger gets black alloy wheels and some exterior sticker packs that help break up the colour along the car’s side. There are also contrasting black door mirrors. Among the clever features of the Jogger are the roof rails, which can unlock and turn through 90 degrees to become the crossbars for a roof box or bike rack. This design saves you from having to buy additional equipment, and when they’re not in use can swing back into place to eliminate excessive fuel consumption and wind noise when driving.

Dave Humphreys
“Following the introduction of the Jogger in 2022 to claim the crown as Ireland’s most affordable seven-seater, it was also voted Best Overall Car in The AA Car Awards”
Dave Humphreys AA Road Tester

What is the inside of the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140 like?

More function than form, but it lacks a bit of colour.

The Jogger Hybrid has a seven-inch digital instrument display as standard that shows various information, including what elements of the powertrain are in use. On either side of this display are gauges for the battery charge level and fuel remaining. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the Jogger Hybrid and has smartphone mirroring with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Dacia also provides a handy phone cradle with a USB charge port right behind it. 

The overall layout of the Jogger’s interior is simple with basic materials that seem hard-wearing, though there isn’t much in the way of colour inside besides a mesh fabric panel across the dashboard fascia. You get plenty of storage space throughout the interior with generous door bins and cupholders between the seats. With the Jogger Hybrid, Dacia fits an electronic handbrake as standard, enabling the inclusion of a driver’s armrest with further storage underneath.

But it’s in the rear where the Jogger shines, with excellent levels of passenger space in the second row, thanks in part to a step in the roof line. Huge windows also make it feel airy inside. Access to the third row is easy thanks to the way the second-row seats fold and tilt out of the way, and unlike most seven-seaters, even adults can fit comfortably in the rearmost settings. Boot space with all seats in place is 212 litres, but it’s super simple to fold the third-row seats or remove them entirely, leaving a substantial 699 litres of boot space.

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What is the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140 like to drive?

It's all about comfort and, more importantly, fuel economy.

The hybrid system in the Dacia Jogger is the same that features in the Renault Clio and uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that is powered by a small 1.2kWh battery that lives in the rear of the car beneath the rear seats. The total output is 140hp, making this the most powerful version of the Jogger to date. Its innovative clutchless automatic gearbox optimises gear changes and improves the hybrid’s responsiveness under acceleration. There is less elasticity in how it performs, meaning it doesn’t send the engine into a flurry or revs when you go to overtake something. 

The petrol engine infrequently activates at lower speeds, only working when needed and leaving the small battery and electric motor to move the Dacia in traffic. During this engine-off period, the Jogger emits an external sound to alert pedestrians and cyclists to its presence. As it switches between its motors, it does so smoothly and often without the driver noticing. A small EV symbol appears on the digital dash when it’s running on the electric motor, and it can switch to that motor even at motorway cruising speeds, albeit for very brief periods. Despite this being the most powerful version of the Jogger, due to its transmission, the towing capacity does drop to 750kg from the usual 1,200kg, which might be something to consider.

It can get a little noisy inside the Jogger Hybrid at higher speeds as there isn’t much sound insulation for the cabin, though it’s not a significant issue with the car. The Jogger is quite pleasant to drive, partly down to the soft suspension setup that does an excellent job of soaking up surface imperfections. Around towns and cities, the Jogger delivers a smooth driving experience, helped by the quieter running at times. Perhaps what was most reassuring from our drive with it was that it matched the claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.8 litres/100 kilometres during our long drive in the car.

Which Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140 should I buy?

Expression or Extreme?

The Dacia Jogger Hybrid will be available in Expression and Extreme specification grades, with the latter adding more exterior styling features such as alloy wheels and an upgraded infotainment system inside, all of which makes it a bit nicer. While exact pricing is still to be announced, the hybrid will likely be the most expensive Jogger model, though it will still be one of the most affordable seven-seaters on the market. 

Is the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140 safe?

Poor NCAP score, but the basics are covered.

One of the main talking points of the Dacia Jogger, when it was released in 2021, was its one-star safety rating from the Euro NCAP. Much of this was attributed to the lack of certain electronic safety aids, which helps keep it more affordable. Dacia claims there are no structural deficits in the Jogger’s construction. 

Verdict 👀

There’s a wonderful simplicity and functionality to the Dacia Jogger, and adding a hybrid powertrain only improves the whole experience. Smoother running, thanks to its automatic transmission, makes driving more relaxing, especially in urban settings. Few cars can offer as much practicality for the money as the Dacia Jogger, and the hybrid version bolsters that fact.

Spec Check ⚙️

Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140

Engine

1.6-litre four-cylinder with a 36kW electric motor

Power

140PS

Torque

144Nm (petrol engine); 205Nm (electric motor)

0-100km/h

10.1 seconds

Fuel Economy

4.8 litres/100km (WLTP)

Top Speed

167km/h6

Transmission

6-speed automatic

CO2

108g/km

Luggage Capacity

212 litres, 699-2,085 litres seats folded down

Price as tested

TBC

For more information go to www.dacia.ie

 

 

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