Will Dacia strikeout with its new Striker crossover or will it be another big hit?

Dacia has built a successful brand around its no nonsense, practical and value-focused approach and it has had great success with models like the rugged Duster and compact Sandero. Now, Dacia is hoping to broaden its appeal with an all-new Striker. Dacia is describing the Striker as an “unexpected and dynamic crossover” which as far as we can tell means it has swapped roof racks and rubber bumpers for flowing lines and fancier LED lights. While the Striker may look less rough and tough than the Bigster, Dacia will still be offering a 4x4 version. Plus, the Striker promises an appealing starting price to rival Chinese newcomers like the Jaecoo 7.
• The Striker will be the Bigster’s sleeker sibling, offering a similar amount of space in a more aerodynamic package • Offered with a range of hybrid engines and optional all-wheel drive • Dacia will reveal more information soon • Expected to start from around £25,000

Like the Peugeot 408, the Striker sits somewhere between a hatchback, an estate and an SUV. With a length of 4.65m the Striker will be the longer than the Bigster, but it promises the same family-friendly practicality wrapped up in a sleeker package. The Striker has a more upmarket look than previous Dacia’s with less rubber cladding and a vertical front the light signature reminiscent of the DS N°4.

We’ve not seen the interior yet, but we expect it will follow the same pattern as its Dacia siblings which focus on function and practicality.

The Striker will be offered with a choice of hybrid, hybrid 4x4 and LPG engine options (although we're unlikely to get the LPG version in the UK).

Dacia hasn’t revealed UK pricing, but it has shared the Striker will have a sub-€25,000 in Europe. We expect the Striker to cost slightly more over here as Dacia doesn’t tend to offer its most basic trim levels in the UK.

Dacia has set out a plan to launch four new all-electric models by 2030 and the first of which is due to arrive later this year in the form of a compact city car. We don’t know much about it yet, but Dacia promises a sub-€18,000 starting price and the brand’s usual rugged design features. Alongside its new EVs Dacia will be introducing more hybrid models into its range, so there will also be a new hybrid Sandero arriving soon.

There are a few notable models like the Peugeot 408 and the smaller Citroën C4 which blur the lines between body types, but we expect the Dacia Striker will offer significantly better value than the lot of them. However, more newcomers from China are arriving all the time, so buyers may be tempted by alternatives like the upcoming Omoda 7.