Behind the wheel of the most adventurous Dacia: Sandero Stepway, Jogger and Duster in Extreme trim

Dacia took us to Vienna to test its entire Extreme Dacia range, a trim available for the Spring, Sandero Stepway, Jogger and Duster models. In the case of the Dacia Spring, this trim is exclusively paired with the new 65 CV engine, and the result is truly a surprising evolution compared with the 45 CV Dacia Spring that remains on sale. You can read our separate article on the road test of the Dacia Spring Extreme Electric 65.

All Extreme models are distinguished by a series of design and trim details that give these versions a very adventurous look. Common elements include copper-brown elements applied to the mirror housings, the wheel trims and the brand logo. There are also decorative motifs reproducing the characteristic contour lines of military maps, which can be seen on the door protections and the central pillars, depending on the model.

Another distinctive feature is the alloy wheels in gloss black finish, 16 inches on the Sandero Stepway and Jogger, and 17 inches on the Duster. As a novelty in the body colour range, the cedar green joins the existing colours, available on all models except the Spring, which receives slate blue.

Inside, the Extreme trim is characterised by the use of a technical fabric called MicroCloud, with a soft touch and easy cleaning, applied to the seat upholstery and door panels. There are also rubber mats with the aforementioned topographic relief, and copper-brown details on the ventilation vents and doors.

As the “cherry on top” of the adventurous spirit of these versions, on the Sandero Stepway and Jogger, the Extended Grip traction control, which improves traction on low-grip surfaces, comes as standard equipment.

Dacia Sandero Stepway Extreme

In the case of the Dacia Sandero, the Extreme trim is only paired with the Stepway version. And it really suits the more “rugged” variant of the compact city car, which gains visual appeal and becomes a very capable option not only for the city, but also for the occasional escape out of town… and without fear of venturing onto tracks or roads in good condition.

The Sandero Stepway Extreme is available with three engine variants: the 1.0 three-cylinder with turbocharger and 90 CV, paired with a CVT automatic transmission, the 100 ECO-G variant with 100 CV adapted to run on LPG, and the 110 CV TCe. The prices for the Spanish market are as follows:

• Sandero Stepway Extreme TCe 90 CVT: €17,470
• Sandero Stepway Extreme 100 ECO-G: €17,870
• Sandero Stepway Extreme TCe 110: €18,270

If you want an option for mainly getting around the city, the 90 CV engine is an excellent choice, and for less than €17,500 this version already comes with the continuously variable automatic gearbox, although I prefer how it works in urban use than on the road. Therefore, if you choose the Extreme trim for something more than what it aesthetically offers, my recommendation is to forgo the automatic gearbox and choose the LPG ECO-G version, or the 110 CV TCe if fuel cost per kilometre is not a top priority.

Dacia Jogger Extreme

The Extreme trim particularly suits the Dacia Jogger, which can become a excellent alternative as a family car if you don’t want an SUV, or if you need seven seats without spending a lot of money. This is the Jogger’s main virtue, since to find alternatives offering a boot of up to 600 litres, or that can carry two additional occupants in a third row of seats (for an extra €900 over the five-seater), you have to spend much more than this Dacia costs.

There are three engine variants to choose from, suitable for different types of use. As the entry point to the range by price is the 110 CV TCe, which already moves the Jogger smoothly and with ease, even when travelling loaded. An engine that can consume very little fuel, but that “raises its tone” if you demand it. Therefore, a highly recommended option, especially in a car with a touring character like this one, is the 110 CV ECO-G version with LPG, which also features the DGT ECO label, and only costs €600 more than the TCe.

Recently added to the range is also the 140 CV hybrid engine, which represents a €5,000 premium over the LPG variant, impossible to amortise: except in the city, in all other circumstances the LPG Jogger will let you cover kilometres at a lower fuel cost. Even so, the hybrid version of the Jogger already accounts for 25% of sales mix. The propulsion system of the Jogger Hybrid is basically the same as that of the Clio E-TECH hybrid. These are the prices of the Jogger Extreme:

• Dacia Jogger Extreme ECO-G 110 5 seats: €21,500
• Dacia Jogger Extreme TCe 110 5 seats: €20,900
• Dacia Jogger Extreme HYBRID 140: €26,400

Sleep Pack: camperise your Jogger for €1,500

During our first contact we were also able to see first-hand how well resolved the Sleep Pack offered by Dacia is, which lets you camperise the Jogger by converting the cabin into a bedroom. The price of this pack is €1,500 when buying a new Jogger, and it can also be requested by Jogger owners as a dealership option, in which case it costs around €1,800.

The system is as simple as a box, quite literally, whose dimensions adapt to those of the boot and which is firmly anchored to the floor using the cargo hooks and straps with tensioners. Its weight is about 50 kg, so it can be easily installed and removed by two people.

When closed, the box offers an internal loading volume of about 220 litres. And just a couple of minutes are enough to unfold it and turn it into a base on which to place the corresponding mattress, creating a bed measuring 130 x 190 centimetres.

The rear part of the box can be removed and placed on the floor to act as a table. And as an accessory, you can purchase a very lightweight tent that takes up very little space when folded (barely a small sports bag), which has a vestibule and an intermediate sleeping area for another mattress, and which attaches both to the ground and to the car itself.

Dacia Duster Extreme

As a good SUV, and especially after the image refresh of Dacia and the arrival of the new front end, the Dacia Duster doesn’t really need the Extreme trim to enjoy a very rugged look. But it can’t be denied that it suits it perfectly. It’s sure to be a big success. The premium for this Extreme trim is around €1,850 over the Expression versions.

In this case you can choose from three engine and transmission combinations. The entry-level Duster Extreme is the 100 CV ECO-G 100 with LPG, manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, followed by the 150 CV TCe, paired with the EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox. As a diesel alternative, the Blue dCi with the 115 CV engine is offered, which comes with 4×4 traction as standard. The prices are as follows:

• Dacia Duster Extreme ECO-G 100 4X2: €21,740
• Dacia Duster Extreme TCe 150 EDC 4X2: €23,940
• Dacia Duster Extreme Blue dCi 115 4X4: €24,840

The choice isn’t complicated: if you want 4×4 traction it will have to be the turbodiesel, no question; but if you do without it (think about it, first test what a 4×4 can deliver with All Season tyres if you haven’t already) and fuel consumption still concerns you, your option is the LPG Duster. For all kinds of use, the 150 CV TCe is a very balanced version: it uses little fuel if you drive carefully, offers plenty of performance if you want to go fast, and provides the comfort of the efficient EDC gearbox.