Dacia is expanding its C segment lineup with Striker, a crossover the Romanian manufacturer presents as a synthesis of three body types. The new model arrives after the presentation of the 2030 strategic plan last March and joins Bigster, with the stated goal of raising the C segment’s share, by 2030, from 20 to 33% of the brand’s European sales.
The name Striker evokes the idea of hitting a target, a direct reference to the brand’s ambition to offer an alternative to traditional SUVs without straying from the three pillars that have long defined Dacia’s philosophy: Robust & Outdoor, Essential & Cool and Eco Smart.
A design with two readings
Striker’s bodywork is built around a horizontal line connecting the front and rear light clusters, visually dividing the car into two parts. Above this line the volumes remain fluid, with a raked windscreen, an extended roof and a sloping rear window that recall the proportions of sedans and station wagons. Below the line, the surfaces become more vertical and structured, an approach that instead draws on SUV design language.
David Durand, Dacia’s design director, describes Striker as a complementary response to current market demands, capable of offering a different balance compared with classic SUVs.
The front and rear share the same T shaped LED lighting signature already introduced on other models from the brand, while the integrated roof bars complete the car’s outdoor character. At 4.62 meters long and no taller than 1.53 meters, Striker sits closer to the dimensions of a station wagon than those of a C segment SUV, while still keeping a ground clearance of 19 or 20 centimeters depending on the drivetrain. Wheels are available in 17, 18 or 19 inch sizes, and the color range includes two new shades, Frost Green and Cosmic Blue.
The lineup includes four trim levels: Essential, Expression, Extreme and Journey. The last two reflect the car’s two personalities. Extreme is designed for heavier use, with exterior protection in Starkle, washable TEP microcloud upholstery and mats made from 50% recycled rubber, plus the option of the hybrid 150 all wheel drive powertrain. Journey instead focuses on comfort for long trips, with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a power operated tailgate.
Interior organized across three levels
The dashboard mirrors the same horizontal layout as the exterior and is arranged across three levels: one closest to occupants dedicated to tactile comfort, a middle one with the most frequently used physical controls, and a technical one that houses the screens. Standard across the entire range are a 10.1 inch central touchscreen and a 7 inch LightVisio digital instrument cluster, the latter based on an optical reflection technology that projects information as floating images. Depending on the trim, the infotainment system can include Media Nav Live, with connected navigation and maps updated for eight years, paired with an Arkamys sound system with six speakers.
Practical touches include a cable pass through connecting the passenger side glovebox to the center console, an ice scraper built into the dashboard, and the YouClip attachment system, which offers up to nine points spread throughout the cabin for securing accessories such as a bottle holder, a blanket that converts into a play mat, or a multipurpose net.
The boot capacity reaches up to 600 liters and introduces, for the first time on a Dacia model, a boot floor split into three reversible sections, usable across two levels to compartmentalize the load or maximize its volume. The Easy Trunk Opening system allows the tailgate to open automatically without contact, detecting the presence of the Keyless Entry key nearby.
Four electrified powertrains
Striker launches with four powertrains, all electrified. The mild hybrid G 140 pairs a 1.2 liter turbocharged three cylinder engine with a 48 volt mild hybrid system running on petrol and LPG bi fuel, the latter capable of cutting CO2 emissions by an average of 10% compared with an equivalent non hybridized petrol engine.
The hybrid 155 uses a 1.8 liter four cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, with a clutchless electrified automatic transmission. Thanks to this setup the car can drive in fully electric mode for up to 80% of city driving time, with declared emissions under 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
The hybrid 150 4×4 powertrain introduces all wheel drive, with a 1.2 liter, 140 horsepower engine on the front axle and a 31 horsepower electric motor on the rear axle, which can be disengaged when not needed. The system offers five driving modes, from Auto to Off Road, and allows for rear wheel electric driving phases for up to 60% of urban driving time.
Recycled materials and safety
Dacia states that over 32% of the materials used on Striker come from the circular economy, with 47 kilograms of recycled plastic per vehicle, a higher figure than on Bigster and Duster. Starkle, the material developed in house by the brand, is used unpainted for bumpers and side protection, and for the first time also appears inside the cabin, on door panels and the dashboard.
On the safety front, Striker complies with the European GSR2 standard and includes, as standard, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, lane keeping assistance, driver attention monitoring and eCall emergency assistance. Adaptive Cruise Control is standard across the entire range, while an optional ADAS package adds blind spot sensors, automatic reverse braking and a Multiview camera.
The starting price is announced at under 25,000 euros.
