Mum of two Hannah Britt has declared the Dacia Bigster 'the fifth member of our family' after putting the large SUV through its paces on the school run and family road trips.
As a mother to two young children, aged six and two, Britt likes to go large when choosing a car. She was loaned the motor, named Bigster, by friends at Dacia and reports that it really does live up to its moniker.
Plenty of room for family life
For the past few months, Britt has driven the cedar green Bigster on the school run, to days out, for a weekend away in Northumberland, and even to the Grand Prix at Silverstone. Each time, there was ample room for the family of four, plus everything they consistently overpack.
The boot fits two enormous suitcases with ease, a travel pram slots in nicely, and there is space for three baby dolls, 85 snack options, two scooters, two Kindles, and enough drawing paraphernalia to sink a small ship. The Bigster eats it all up no problem.
Comfort and safety on board
In the back, there is ample space for two car seats, with ISOfix built in as standard for safety. The finely textured black and grey seat fabric is chic, stylish and miraculously wipe-clean, protecting it from grubby little hands and feet. Cup holders contain coffee spillages, and each door has a spacious pocket for rubbish and toys.
For the grownups in the front, seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and heatable in the winter.
Hybrid performance and mod cons
The Bigster they drove was a self-charge hybrid, which they loved. It seemed to need filling up a lot less than their petrol car, a 20-year-old Honda, which stood forlornly next to the Dacia. Automatic, it was a dream to drive - responsive, smooth and reliable.
Up front there were all the mod cons you'd expect, from Bluetooth on which to play endless renditions of Baby Shark and make phone calls, and an up-to-date sat nav on which you could actually turn the volume off. They did have to reset the sat nav once, when it had them drive into the middle of a farmer's field - the highlight of the children's day.
A family favourite
There were times when the Bigster was too big - it doesn't fit into some of the tighter spaces on the school run. But neither does any substantial SUV or 4x4. Parking sensors guide you into smaller spots and take the stress out of squeezing in.
The forest green Dacia has quickly become the fifth member of the family. 'Like new car,' said her two-year-old, as she was stuffed into the Bigster to embark on their next adventure. And Britt has to say, she agrees.
