Dacia Spring 27kWh Extreme 65 48kW 5dr Auto

  • Automatic
  • Electric
  • 5 door suv
  • 13.7 secs 0 to 62 mph
  • 65 bhp Engine power
  • 140 mi Combined range
  • 26.8 kWh Battery capacity
  • 8 yrs Battery warranty

Ten Second Review

Dacia shook up the affordable end of the EV market with this car, the Spring, but it needed more power to be really credible. It now has that in this revised form. The driving range is still very modest, but then so also is the price. And this Romanian contender remains fun to look at - and to drive.

Background

Electric cars are too expensive. That's the bottom line. Despite continued industry promises, we're still waiting for the required wave of small, affordable EVs priced more comparably with fossil-fuelled runabouts. If any car maker was going to provide such a thing, you'd hope it might be Dacia, Renault's Romanian budget brand, who shook up the market a decade ago by offering UK folk a new family hatchback (the Sandero) for under £6,000. In 2021, they shook up the EV market too by launching what back then was Europe's cheapest electric car, the Spring. That original Spring model had a few rough edges, so Dacia waited until the 2024 mid-term update to launch it here in the UK. By June 2025, over 179,000 Springs had been sold in Europe, making this model No2 in its segment. But by this time, the car was starting to face tough competition from a similarly-priced but more powerful Chinese competitor, the Leapmotor T03. To bring the Spring back into proper contention, in Autumn 2025, Dacia launched a revised powertrain for this car, with a new LFP battery and much more power motor options. That's the car we look at here.

Engines and Tech Spec

Our market focuses on the gutsier version of the Spring, now with a 100hp electric motor (up from 65hp before); an entry-level 70hp version's also available (up from just 45hp before). These power hikes make a huge difference to real-world performance. The old Spring 45 took a glacial 26.2s to get to 62mph, a time now improved to 10.3s. The old Spring 65 needed 14s for the 62mph sprint, a time now pegged at just 6.9s. This means that the Spring can travel with ease in less urban areas and fit naturally into motorway traffic for a more comfortable driving experience, helped by a light kerb weight of just 984kg. There's a new lithium-ion phosphate 24.3kWh battery, but its EV range hasn't changed much, still rated at 140 miles for both versions. Dacia has also worked on the handling of this car. The Spring now gains an anti-roll bar for the first time, stabilising it in corners. And the chassis has a reinforced central section to make the structure stiffer and optimise weight distribution. Plus the brakes are now more powerful, to cope with the extra power. As before, the tight turning circle, super-light steering and the small exterior size make the Spring a great city car. Predictably, it's still less comfortable on the motorway, where it can get blown about by HGVs and going above 70mph takes quite a bit of driver determination. Best to keep this Dacia in its comfort zone, zipping about the suburbs, where it's really quite a fun companion.

Design and Build

You'd have to know the Spring very well indeed to notice the visual changes made to the improved version because they're very slight - and all aimed at subtle enhancements to the aerodynamics. A set of fairings at the front, sides and rear are designed to reduce aerodynamic turbulence under the car. And a new spoiler limits turbulence around the upper part of the rear tailgate. The sleeker end result adds a few miles to this Dacia's driving range. Otherwise, it's just as before. Visually, this is the kind of small runabout that European customers tend to want these days, an A-segment small hatch with various Crossover cues (chunky wheel arches and a slightly higher ride height). If you want some perspective on size, we'll tell you that the 3,734mm length is fractionally longer than a city car-class model (the Hyundai i10 is about 6cm shorter). The rear gets thin Y-shaped lights and a matt black plastic panel. The cladding around the wheel arches and the bottom section of the bumpers has been left unpainted. Dacia reckons that will help this area to better cope with urban scrapes or dents. Take a seat and it doesn't feel especially EV-like; you start the car by turning an old-fashioned key. Drive is engaged by twisting the chunky auto shifter, which has just three settings, D, N and R. For Park, you shift to N and pull on the manual handbrake. All the buttons and switches are huge, the infotainment screen (10.1-inches with top spec) works well and the dials are clear, but the squashy seat positions you quite high - though at least you can now adjust the steering wheel. There's just a single wiper and top 'Extreme' trim livens up the cabin with some copper-coloured accents and neoprene upholstery. The rear seat is rather cramped, particularly if there's anything other than a short passenger up front. But that's so as a larger-than-expected boot can be provided for, 308-litres in size. Extendable to 1,004-litres with the rear bench folded.

Market and Model

Prices aren't much different, starting at around £15,000 for the lower-powered model and around £17,000 for the better-equipped higher-powered version. The base 'Expression' version comes with the base 70hp motor and gives you the basics; a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a height-adjustable 3-spoke steering wheel, power steering, manual air conditioning, a Media Control system with a USB port, a speed limiter, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted radio controls, central door locking with remote control, power windows at the front, rear parking sensors and a 12V socket. Most UK customers though, stretch to the 'Extreme' version, which only comes with the perkier 100hp powertrain. Here, you get copper-coloured interior/exterior trim features, power door mirrors and powered rear windows. Plus a Media Display multimedia system with a 10-inch central screen, two USB ports and wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 'Extreme' also offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), allowing users to plug-in and power external electrical devices. As before, the Spring allows easy use of the brand's 'YouClip' accessories. This system allows various dedicated accessories to be securely and conveniently attached at key points inside the cabin. The Spring comes as standard with three YouClip anchor points (one on the dashboard, two on the central console). These points can hold a storage pouch, mobile phone holder with or without an induction charger, or an ingenious '3-in-1' device combining a cup holder, bag hook and portable flashlight. All YouClip accessories are available from the Dacia network. As for camera safety features, well as before you get the basics - lane-keeping assistance, advanced emergency braking and driver attention monitoring. As you'd expect, there are also front airbags, plus full-length curtain airbags, and ISOFIX points are provided for the outer rear seats.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the driving range figure earlier - 140 miles - which is more likely to translate into 90-120 miles in real world motoring, and then only if you use the provided Eco button, which dulls acceleration and climate functions. Though the battery size has shrunk slightly with this revised model, to 24.3kWh (from 26.8kWh before), charging times are much the same. At least the previous feeble DC charging speed has improved a little - to 40kW (from just 30kW before), but you only get that enhancement on the 'Extreme' model. The new charger charges the battery from 20% to 80% in 29 minutes. A 7kW AC charger is still standard on all Spring models which, combined with the new battery, allows for faster charging from 20% to 100%: 3 hours 20 minutes instead of 4 hours on a 7kW wall box, and 10 hours 11 minutes on a domestic socket. Otherwise, things are much as before. WLTP energy efficiency is rated at 4.3 miles-per-kWh, helped by the feather-light (for an EV) 984kg kerb weight. The brand says the average likely Spring customer will do no more than 20 miles a day and will average 16mph. On to the warranty. Dacia offers its Zen warranty which can cover you for you to 7 years provided you get your car regularly serviced at a Dacia franchise. This is backed by three years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Dacia offers a choice of pre-paid servicing schemes covering you for either two years and 24,000 miles or three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

Some cars simply have to be viewed in proper perspective and this is one of them. Those who might carp about the relatively feeble 140 mile driving range are missing the point. Which is that this Dacia is intended primarily for urban and suburban use; and that it will almost always be bought as a second or third car. In any case, a driving range figure of this sort didn't seem to do the original MINI Electric any harm. But that MINI always felt perky, which the earlier version of this little Dacia never did. The motor enhancements have put that right. As for the other things that Spring prospects might be tempted to complain about, well if you're sneering at the utilitarian cabin plastics, just look at the uber-modest prices being asked here. Disappointed by the lack of rear seat space? Well it's only intended for kids and anyway, the packaging of this seat frees up more boot space, which for most customers will be more important. In short, you can see why so many European folk have been minded to spring for this Dacia.

  • 10" MediaNav live, DAB radio, smartphone replication, bluetooth, 2 speakers, apple carplay, android auto, USB-C
  • USB socket
  • Body colour door handles
  • Front and rear Bumper, body coloured with black elements and decorative insert
  • Rear side wing doors
  • 12v socket in front
  • Door sill protection with topographic pattern
  • Fabric/TEP upholstery
  • Grey interior door handles
  • Height adjustable steering wheel
  • Soft feel steering wheel
  • 6 airbags - Driver, front passenger, curtain and side airbags
  • Alcohol imoboliser predisposal
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Door open visual and audible warning
  • Driver and passenger seatbelt not fastened warning
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Side impact protection
  • Two 3 point rear seatbelts
  • Tyre pressure monitor
  • Engine immobiliser
  • Remote central locking
  • Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 26.8
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 650
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 20-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 240
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 20-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 45
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 20-80
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 30
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N
  • Battery Leased: False
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Charging Port Location: Front
  • Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2
  • Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 30
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8
  • Usable Battery Capacity: 26.8
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 11.5
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 14.1
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 14.1
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 13.5
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 5.4
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4.4
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 4.4
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 4.6
  • WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 225
  • WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 140
  • CO2 (g/km): 0
  • Standard Euro Emissions: N
  • CC: 1
  • Fuel Delivery: N
  • Gears: 1 SPEED
  • Transmission: AUTO
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: True
  • Badge Engine CC: 0
  • Badge Power: 65
  • Coin Description: 27kWh
  • Coin Series: Extreme 65 48kW
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 25A
  • Safety Concerns: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 13.7
  • Engine Power - BHP: 65
  • Engine Power - KW: 48
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • Engine Power - RPM: 6000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 83
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 11.5
  • Engine Torque - NM: 113
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 4057
  • Top Speed: 78
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: N/A
  • Alloys: False
  • Space Saver: False
  • Tyre Size Front: 165/80 R15
  • Tyre Size Rear: 165/80 R15
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Wheel Type: 15" STEEL
  • Height: 1519
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 3701
  • Wheelbase: 2423
  • Width: 1583
  • Width (including mirrors): 1767
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1315
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1004
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 308
  • Max. Loading Weight: 341
  • Max. Roof Load: N
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 974
  • No. of Seats: 4
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 9.6