It has been in existence for a few years, so why discuss it again? The rationale behind this is CarWow’s Mat Watson, who recently experienced driving one in Paris, France. As you can imagine, there are numerous aspects of this small electric vehicle that are not appealing, even though it is the top-of-the-line Extreme grade that was tested.
The Dacia Spring lacks adequate soundproofing, and the metal used feels flimsy. Additionally, you are unable to adjust the steering wheel, there are no cup holders or door bins, and there is no armrest in the rear. The list of shortcomings could go on. Furthermore, the vehicle’s performance is subpar, with the entry-level model equipped with a 44 hp (45 ps/33 kW) motor that takes a whopping 19 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 kph). The top-of-the-line variant features a 64 hp (65 ps/48 kW) motor and completes the sprint in just under 14 seconds.
Both versions of the Dacia Spring come with a 25 kWh battery pack, which, as Watson pointed out, is significantly lower than what you would find in other affordable electric vehicles. The claimed range is 137 miles (220 km) for the Extreme grade and 143 miles (230 km) for the lower grade. However, after calculating the real-world driving experience, the range is estimated to be around 125 miles (200 km). Additionally, fast recharging is not an option, as the quickest connection available is 34 kW. Therefore, if you decide to purchase this vehicle, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time at charging stations.
However, there are not only disadvantages if you opt for a Dacia Spring. Despite its compact size of only 145+ inches (3.7 meters) in length, its trunk capacity is larger than that of an Opel Corsa-e electric supermini. The vehicle also comes equipped with features such as an infotainment system with smartphone integration, air conditioning, electric windows all around, and other amenities. Therefore, it does provide the essentials for a daily commute, including cruise control and a reversing camera.
The biggest advantage of the Dacia Spring is its starting price. The base model starts at nearly £16,000 (~$20,000) in the United Kingdom, while the upper-spec variant, which was tested by Watson, is priced at nearly £17,000 (~$21,000). This is approximately half the price of some of its competitors. However, should you truly consider purchasing one if given the opportunity, or would you be better off with a used electric vehicle for a similar price? Discover what the journalist had to say about it in the video provided below.
According to the Source autoevolution.com