Dacia unveiled its new Striker in July, promising a spacious family crossover for less than €25,000. Now that Belgian order books have opened, the Romanian Renault Group brand has gone one better: prices start at just €22,490, some €2,500 below the initial indication.

The aggressive pricing puts the 4.62-meter Striker firmly in the territory of established family cars, but at a price that could make competitors such as the Škoda Octavia Combi, Opel Astra Sports Tourer, and Peugeot 308 SW uncomfortable.

More importantly, the Striker arrives at a difficult moment for Dacia, whose sales have been declining despite the continued popularity of its affordable models. The newcomer must help reverse that trend while proving that Dacia can move into larger, more profitable vehicles without losing its low-cost identity.

€6,000 below the Octavia

Available to order in Belgium from 3 November, the Striker comes in four trim levels: Essential, Expression, Extreme, and Journey.

Its starting price undercuts the Škoda Octavia Combi, currently listed from €28,490 in Belgium, by exactly €6,000. Equipment, engines, and discounts differ, but Dacia is offering comparable family-car dimensions at a price usually associated with smaller models.

Interestingly, Dutch customers face a considerably higher starting price of €28,400. The €5,910 difference illustrates how national taxation and pricing policies can dramatically change a car’s competitive position within Europe.

The Striker also offers an alternative to conventional SUVs. Its estate-like silhouette combines a relatively low roofline with up to 20 cm of ground clearance and 602 liters of luggage space.

A much-needed boost for struggling Dacia

The Striker’s arrival comes against a less encouraging backdrop. As NMN reported last week, Dacia’s worldwide sales fell by 12.8% in the third quarter of 2026, bringing the decline over the first nine months to 9.7%.

That contrasts with the Renault brand’s accelerating electric-car sales. Although the Sandero remains a European bestseller among private customers, Dacia faces mounting pressure from model transitions, changing consumer preferences, and increasingly competitive Chinese manufacturers.

Renault Group itself has acknowledged growing Chinese competition, particularly in the C-segment, precisely where Dacia is trying to expand with the Bigster and now the Striker.

The stakes are considerable. Dacia wants its C-segment share of sales to increase from 20% to 33% by 2030. The Striker is therefore more than another affordable model: it is an essential part of the brand’s attempt to regain momentum.

LPG remains Dacia’s trump card

Instead of following competitors into increasingly expensive plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars, Dacia continues to prioritize affordable electrification and LPG.

The Striker range includes a 140 hp mild-hybrid petrol/LPG powertrain, with Dacia claiming a combined driving range of up to 1,600 kilometers. A 155 hp full hybrid can reportedly operate in electric mode for up to 80% of urban driving time, while a 150 hp hybrid version adds electrically assisted four-wheel drive.

Neither requires external charging, potentially appealing to private buyers who cannot easily charge an electric car at home. Dacia also claims fuel consumption starting at 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers and CO₂ emissions from 95 g/km, depending on the version.

Can low running costs beat electrification?

Dacia claims the Striker offers the lowest total cost of ownership in its segment. Its modest purchase price and LPG option certainly strengthen that argument, although independently verified comparisons remain necessary.

For Belgian private motorists, LPG can offer significant savings compared with petrol. However, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and taxation also determine the final cost.

For company-car drivers, the picture is different. Belgium’s increasingly strict tax treatment of combustion-powered vehicles favours fully electric alternatives, limiting the appeal of even an economical hybrid.

And competition is intensifying. Chinese manufacturers are bringing increasingly affordable electric and plug-in hybrid models to Europe, challenging Dacia’s traditional advantage of offering more car for less money.

A crucial test for Dacia

The Striker complements the more SUV-oriented Bigster and broadens Dacia’s appeal to families seeking space without premium prices. It could also reinforce the brand’s strong position among Belgian private buyers.

But its success is far from guaranteed. Dacia must convince customers that LPG and conventional hybrid technology remain sensible choices in a market increasingly driven by electrification.

At €22,490, the Striker makes a compelling opening move. Whether it can help reverse Dacia’s sales decline while protecting the brand’s hard-won affordability advantage will be the real test.