As announced in March at the presentation of its 2030 strategic plan, Dacia is expanding its C-segment range with the Striker. Meanwhile, Dacia’s best-seller, the Sandero, can finally be ordered with the 155 hp hybrid engine known from other, more expensive Dacias.
Designed to complement Bigster, Striker is a crossover with the same Dacia DNA, depicted by Dacia as ‘Robust & Outdoor, Essential but Cool, Eco Smart’. Dacia hopes it will contribute to the brand’s ambition of increasing the C-segment share of total sales from 20% to 33% by 2030. There is, of course, more money to earn per car in this segment than in the smaller ones.
“Dacia Striker combines the best of all three worlds,” Dacia proclaims. “The high driving position and outdoor capabilities of an SUV, the versatility and convenience of an estate, and the efficiency and performance of a saloon.”
“With a particularly comprehensive range of multi-energy electrified powertrains, Striker delivers the best value for money in its segment, further strengthening the unique offering of the Dacia brand,” the manufacturer continues. The Striker will be available in Belgium with a starting price of €25,000.
Crossover
More than just a combination of categories, Dacia Striker aims to establish a balance between different uses and expectations of its customers. “Combining the performance of a saloon, the interior space of an estate, and the robust design of an SUV, it offers a more comprehensive and relevant response to today’s needs,” Dacia claims.
David Durand, Design Director at Dacia, said: “Striker is a new and complementary response to current automotive expectations, based on a balance different from that of conventional SUVs. The exterior design is organized around one central feature: a taut shoulder line that links the front and rear light clusters and structures the body as a whole. This line is the backbone of the design, allowing for a clear interpretation at two levels and reflecting the dual nature of the vehicle.”
The Striker is also the first vehicle to feature Dacia’s new ‘T’-shaped LED light signature, positioned at the four corners of the vehicle. “The crossover design of Striker fuses dynamic lines with generous proportions for interior comfort and a commanding on-road presence.”
The crossover concept is reflected in Striker’s dimensions. This vehicle is 4.62 m long, similar to a C-segment estate. “While ground clearance is equivalent to that of a C-segment SUV (20 cm for the 4×4 and 19 cm for the 4×2), it stands just 1.53 m tall, compared with the usual over 1.60 m for C-segment SUVs, for a level of performance more closely resembling a saloon,” the press release indicates.
Clever interior
The dashboard carries the exterior design approach into the interior with a distinctive horizontal layout, contributing to a sense of space and wraparound comfort. For clear, intuitive use, it features a three-tier structure organized in levels: from the functions closest to users to the structural and technical features.
The first level, which is closest to the occupants, focuses on comfort and perceived quality. The second level takes a more functional, structured approach, and the third level, set further back, provides access to the interface and display features.
The interior aims to convey a sense of openness and space, underscored by a panoramic glass roof covering most of the space. Based on advanced technology, the roof is made from low-emissivity glass, using multiple layers and invisible filters to improve the thermal and acoustic insulation of the passenger compartment.
Extensive work has been carried out on the overall comfort of the Striker, particularly with respect to acoustic insulation, a point of criticism in the Duster, for example.
The carefully designed seats further enhance passenger comfort. Dacia’s engineers also devoted considerable attention to the design of the boot. With a capacity of up to 600 liters, the boot offers a range of practical features that make it ideal for everyday use.
‘Eco Smart’, for a low TCO
One of the main objectives of Dacia’s engineers in designing the Striker was to deliver the best TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) in relation to other C-segment models, both SUVs and estates. Special attention has been paid to aerodynamics and the efficiency of the electrified powertrains.
Three powertrains are available on the Striker, matching those of its SUV brother, the Bigster: one ‘mild hybrid’ and two hybrids. The first is bi-fuel and can also run on LPG, a unique feature Dacia offers on many of its models.
The second powertrain is the Hybrid 155, combining an Atkinson 1.8 4-cylinder with an electric motor via an ingenious transmission system without a clutch, offering up to 15 gear ratios.
The third option combines the 1.2 3-cylinder gasoline engine up front with an electric motor at the rear, offering the possibility of four-wheel drive. As part of its Eco Smart approach, Dacia is also aiming to use a greater proportion of sustainable materials in the Striker.
Sandero goes hybrid too
Dacia’s Sandero has been a best-seller for many years already, and now the manufacturer is expanding its hybrid powertrain offer to its most affordable model. The Hybrid 155 drivetrain will be available on both the normal Sandero and its Stepway variant starting in September.
This hybrid powertrain is gaining popularity among Dacia customers, which is probably the main reason Dacia wanted to expand the offering to as many models as possible. In 2025, already one-fourth of the Dacias sold were hybrids, doubling the year before’s results.
Dacia’s entry-level model has become an icon in Europe, including in Belgium. It has been the number one best-selling car for individual buyers in Europe since 2017, and also in Belgium, it has remained the best-seller for individual buyers for the last five years.
