Report: Dacia Spring: The Green of Spring

The Dacia Spring is still one of the most affordable electric cars you can buy: starting at €22,550, you get an A-segment CUV with four doors and up to 230 km of range. Realistically, depending on temperature and usage, it's more like 150 to 200 km, but that's manageable for urban commuting, delivery services, or caregiving duties.

The facelift has sharpened the looks and, in our opinion, provided slightly better noise comfort and minimally improved workmanship. You still shouldn’t scrutinize the panel gaps like those around the passenger airbag too closely and will have to live with a “plunk” when closing the doors – along with a “ignition key” to start the car and a somewhat sluggish navigation system.

However, the chassis is well-tuned, and the lightweight design helps keep the weight under one ton. And more importantly: you remain in full control of the car, which can be operated intuitively – something that’s increasingly rare these days!

The battery, which weighs just 26.8 kWh and only 186 kilograms, cannot be charged very quickly (although the DC option for up to 30 kW charge power is recommended) – but in winter, some much larger models don't fare much better either. And otherwise? The essentials are there – including suspension and steering – and on the highway, it can reach up to 130 km/h (not in eco-mode, which adds an extra eight to ten km).

And since Dacia is moving upwards, there's the 60-HP version with copper accents and the top-of-the-line “Extreme” trim – as long as you don't have extreme expectations, you'll find a slightly more powerful and prettier Spring version here.

If Dacia could give a little boost to the battery capacity and the speed of the infotainment system in the next facelift, and create a bit more space with thinner, not so faux-leather seats, we would be extremely satisfied. But as a mid-range commuter, the small entry-level electric car is still a strong recommendation due to the lack of real competition – not just for the coming spring.

What does that mean?

With the facelift, Dacia took a small step with the Spring, but it has only been on the market for nearly two years. And it is still practically without competition. If Dacia adds a bit more in the next facelift and remains as affordable with future electric models as with all other models, the spring mood will remain!