DRIVEN! New Dacia Spring. Is the UK’s cheapest EV really good enough? | Electrifying

#daciaspring #daciaelectric #electriccars
READ THE REVIEW: www.electrifyi...
It’s finally time to drive what will be the UK’s cheapest electric car when deliveries start in Autumn.
In the UK we'll be getting just one battery size and at 26.8 kWh it's about half the size of the Vauxhall Corsa Electric's and quite a bit smaller than the 44 kWh battery you'll find in the Citroen e-C3. As Dacia is focused on keeping the Spring as light as possible - it’s less than half the weight of a VW ID.3 - Dacia claims it will cover over 137 miles of official WLTP range on a full charge. That’s more than the Mazda MX-30, which has a larger battery pack. You’ll be able to get the most out of your range as the Spring is fitted with regenerative braking for the first time, which feeds precious energy normally lost through braking back into the car's battery.
The Spring has a slow 7kW on-board charger, and a charge from a home wallbox will take four hours. Dacia says many owners will opt to use a three-pin socket to charge, which takes 11 hours; and in Europe there will be the option of a socket booster which uses a more robust three pin which can charge at 3.2kW rather than the usual 2.3 and sees the time cut to around 7 hours - expect to see a similar piece of kit on offer in the UK.
A 30 kW DC charger enables fast(ish) charging from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes, This is standard on the two more powerful models on sale in the UK, but won’t be on offer - even as an option - on the entry level 45 version. The charging flap is nicely located in the centre at the front of the car and a vehicle-to-load adaptor, which allows you to charge up other things from your car - like an e-bike, or vacuum cleaner (should you want to spring clean your Spring) - is fitted as standard on the top of the range Extreme spec.
Join Nicola as she drives the new Dacia Spring for the first time. Has Dacia pulled it off? Will you be considering it for your next car? Let us know in the comments below.
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[@trixiepickle8779]

Bought one last year here in SW France, absolutely love it. Living in the countryside with winding lanes often narrow and hills, it's perfect for me. Use it for taking the dog out, shopping, airport runs. Fun to drive and nippy and amazing to park in Cities. No complaints at all about mine. Thanks for a great review.

[@simonevans8979]

Bought any airports yet?

[@davidcolin6519]

Was yours this model, or the previous one?

[@trixiepickle8779]

@@davidcolin6519 the previous one.

[@trixiepickle8779]

@@EVRealFacts Thanks for the tip

[@trixiepickle8779]

@@simonevans8979 Eh?

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

This is the Mini for the 21st century. Though the original Mini's when launched cost some £500 in 1959, that's the equivalent of £14,580 in today's money. And the first Mini's 0-60 was a very sedate 26.5 seconds on to a top speed of some 75 mph. So this Dacia is miles faster to 60, weighs some 300 kg more but the price is very similar in by today's valuation. _Spookie eh!?_ 🤔😲😁

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

@@EVRealFacts To be honest. I'd rather be in an old Mini. I used to have one in the mid 70's. A little blue Clubman. At least if I still had that car, people would go past saying, _"That's a good looking old Mini."_ In this Dacia, I'm sure people would drive past saying, _"What the heck is that pile of 💩?"_ 🤔😲 😅🤣😂

[@benholroyd5221]

​@@EVRealFactsit hints at this in the video. They've now added lane keep assist and speed notifications. So it isn't getting a low score because it's made of tin foil. This is still safer than most 10+ year old cars

[@acelectricalsecurity]

But the mini would go further and be refueled in minutes

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

@@acelectricalsecurity Less than minutes when it was at the pumps. They didn'#t have the biggest fuel tank. About 7 gallons But then, they didn't need them. I used to put in about £5 per week when I had my Mini. A gallon was about 90p back then. How times have changed.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

@@thezanzibarbarian5729 very true

[@iridemountainbikes]

No automatic wipers, manual boot, manual handbrake etc... these are exactly the things that don't need to be automatic and more manufacturers should do so that, helps lower the price, why not offer the billion automated extras that are not needed, just nice to have as options?....

[@davidcolin6519]

For EVs built outside Europe the difficulty is that you'd have to add the options in Europe, adding to cost. Or you'd have to order the optioned version separately, which would add to the delivery times AND cost. It is, in fact, much cheaper to spec all the models with all the basic gadgets than add them in. I'm not convinced by auto-wipers, but auto lights and cruise control, for me, are an absolute must.

[@DMulabiTalejan]

I fiercely agree with you. We need bare bones cheap EVs. We dont even need a screen, we can use our phones. All these strip downs will enhance battery range and massively bring the prices down.

[@cavb748]

Yessssss! buttonsssss! this interior is 10 times better that any VW´s interior.

[@toyotaprius79]

Continue with deleting the wannabe crossover features, add some rear wheel skirts and a front wheel rim deflector and BAM an easy 1mi/kWh improvement.

[@toyotaprius79]

​​@@DMulabiTalejanThe tendancey of profitability to fall and the short sighted greed of shareholders begs to differ

[@davewatts7444]

What's not to like? As a urban car it is the grandchild of the 2cv, yes on a motorway maybe not so good but take this morning, took my son to hospital a round trip of 16 miles, later I'm at a funeral which is 8 miles round trip. So 24 miles, which is the longest daily distance for three weeks. So in effect it's for most people the perfect car.

[@petrkubena]

What's not to like? Horrible impact ratings. It's great that they added some ADAS features, but when the crash happens, you want to be anywhere but in this car as a driver (funny enough - other front seat and pedestrians are better off than the driver).

[@CampGareth]

Is that crash test still valid? I see results for the 2021 spring but don't know what's changed for the 'all new' spring.

[@mopedder2621]

​@@petrkubenaDon't crash it then!

[@lmc333]

I see Nicola, I click... A nice spring is a bonus, but Nicola's electric attitude is the cheerfulness I need in my day.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

Well, I am starting to avoid their videos... I would like it if she got straight to the point. I like her at first but I am getting a little bit bored by her videos. Sorry

[@padrino1]

@@TheAllMightyGodofCod She is like 12 years old...annoying actually for a "mature" woman.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

@@padrino1 it's all right... It's fine... It's alright... It's ok, I suppose... Sometimes I like her but they are boring me, more and more. It's alright seems to be all she can say.

[@lmc333]

You are all dead inside, you might as well just go sleep, I am not even sure why you are clicking on the video, save yourself from being annoyed and go somewhere else like North Korea or Russia, their attitude will be more to your liking... If you can't enjoy life like Nicola, then you must be very old in your head. Go watch Paint Dry please guys.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

@@lmc333 you are hilarious! Either that or you had a really rough week and you are complete piss off because we don't like your little internet crush but I would bet that you are just some seriously funny guy! Hey, wanna hang out some time, maybe go and watch the big match tomorrow? 😘

[@colin13579]

We need more Nicola’s in the world, always puts a smile on my face. As for the Spring, I actually quite like it and its simplicity is refreshing.

[@mikadavies660]

£14,999 has to be a major plus.... at half the cost of a Fiat 500 E. Yes it is super basic, but it is no more basic than the VW E-UP. Which was £27,000

[@johnmorgan8152]

Bought a brand new VW E Up here in Ireland in March. It's fully loaded with all the possible extras for an E Up. It cost 17500 euro or 15200 Stg approx. Think i would pick the E Up over the Spring, but not at 27k. They were priced ridiculously

[@mikadavies660]

@johnmorgan8152 The E-up has better use of internal space but in the UK they were £27,000 back in 2022. Now they simply don't exist new.

[@Andy-zi1wj]

The VW e-up was never 27k in the UK it was around 22k B4 the government grant at the time made it 20k and was available to order until sept 2021. Some cars were still being delivered in 2023 due to back log of orders. There are delivery mile e-up available on a 24 plate for 18k

[@Andy-zi1wj]

​​@@johnmorgan8152they were 22k in the UK when on sale in 2021/22 and listed at 25k in 2024 which are dealer stock now selling around 18k for 24 plate pre reg

[@mikadavies660]

@EVRealFacts How about the Renault Zoe... hundreds of thousands sold. Yet 1 star. From July 2024, I don't want 5 star with its bleep at you for everything and block you from speeding.... just to get 5 stars

[@mikadavies660]

Two days ago, I was at the local Renault dealership looking at the Scenic. The salesman was telling me ALL the first deliveries of the Spring have been sold. This makes sense... It will cost around £4/week to drive (8,000 miles per year). Cheap to insure. Monthly payments that everyone can afford. Possibly it might be an ideal first car for a 17yr old...!

[@donaloherlihy203]

@@EVRealFactsEuro NCAP not showing ratings for the 2024 model. So don’t know where you’re getting score of 1 from

[@colinmoss5402]

@@donaloherlihy203it’s the old model. And it was the absence of certain automatic safety tech which caused it, NOT apparently crash testing.

[@2002RM]

Like most even care ​@@EVRealFacts Anyway, link to the report?

[@BikingChap]

Monthly payments 'anyone can afford'? You still have to find around £3,000 deposit, £180 a month and over £6,000 at the end of the PCP term.

[@mikadavies660]

@BikingChap currently I lease an EV... Judging by what I have now and what I pay... I would think the Dacia Spring will be £500 deposit and £150/mth.... Swapping from ICE to BEV I save around £150/mth in petrol vs electric bills. So give or take... The Dacia Spring is a deposit and only what you would spend in petrol per month... So yup. I think that is affordable

[@DavidJohnston58]

It won't be for everyone, but it will get the attention of many for whom until this, a new EV was an expensive dream. They won't have a problem with 100ish miles range or slower acceleration and slower charging. It's got a shed load of useful stuff that my more than double the price EV doesn't. Not for me though, I like my road trips, but I really like the car and think it's a very positive addition to what's available.

[@keithhooper6123]

Mainly because of modern regulations,that are weight and cost.No different to many cars from ten or fifteen years ago.

[@ISuperTed]

This is great to see for EV’s generally. Sure there will be loads of detractors moaning about range, performance, charging speed etc, but none of that matters for the target market. If you’re only doing small journeys and home charge, it’s going to be incredibly cheap to run.

[@garysmith5025]

@@EVRealFacts If the safety rating of the cheapest EV on the market is the only criticism you can come up with to support your anti-EV agenda I guess that means you're running out of myths that are continually getting busted. Small, light, cars always have lower crash performance, and much of NCAPs downgrading is as much to do with the lack of driver aids; the one's most people buy then turn off.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@EVRealFacts You really want to elaborate on this. You are angling to paint an incorrect picture. Even a small VW e-up only attracts 3 stars due to weird rating changes. Euro Ncap is a joke and I am not interested in a German car centric rating that will soon take away from the score because a car does not have inexplicable buttons in unreachable places.

[@wobby1516]

Most people have two cars and this one is perfect as a second run around. Kids to school, shopping and the odd longer run, perfect at a great price.

[@lexus1098r]

Most people do not have 2 cars

[@stevenjones916]

Looks good 👏👏👏 Separate climate controls 👏👏👏 Rear wiper 👏👏👏 And a price that is reasonable for the masses 👏👏👏

[@sevensixtysteve8662]

Brilliant car and exactly what an EV should be - reduces the impact of manufacture and gives high efficiency in use. It's so encouraging that a manufacturer can bring something like this to the market. It looks cool and proves you don't need to thunder around in overweight and overpriced SUVs surrounded by badly implemented tech and tasteless LED lighting. Good job Dacia.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

You mean 'good job Dongfeng, thank you China'?

[@cjmillsnun]

@@EVRealFacts This version hasn't yet been tested by NCAP. You're referring to the old Spring,

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@EVRealFacts You really are pushing this one star crap eh? Don't worry people can do their own investigations. You need not be concerned.

[@mihaitudosa]

I have done with Dacia Spring over 70.000 km with under 11 kWh/100 km. It is an awesome car! You can overcome the Matrix in this world with this car. Charging from the roof panels and public stations when on road trips. I had spent 400 EUR for 35.000 km... and another 250 EUR for 35.000 km for another one. What could be greater?!

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

Yes the original car had it's quirks but overall, it is a brilliant little machine. I saw one review where the car got to zero percent but just kept going anyway.

[@aliruane]

Turning the automatic ‘move me into oncoming traffic or slam the breaks on for no reason’ so called ‘safety features’ off with a button is awesome.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

And odd that you need this to get any NCAP safety rating at all. Shows what rubbish NCAP is.

[@alanduffell6820]

Like I have said elsewhere. Use it in inner London where the average speed is 12.5mph. Outer London average speed is 20.3 mph. This car is fast enough at the traffic light dash, it has a/c, wireless android auto and apple carplay etc. Quite funky in the orange colour. You don't need your Chelsea tractors.

[@PaulMeier-cu3ds]

What a wonderful demonstration on how much you do not need in a car. Even so it has really quite a lot of good tech. At £15k it is a no brainer for someone who needs it. BTW it is NOT just a city car because a lot of us who live in the country do not do huge mileages. Another use case is as a first car for youf. My first car at age 18 was a 1970s Mini.

[@caerphoto]

This is a local car, for local people.

[@PaulMeier-cu3ds]

@@caerphoto Exactly.

[@chrispenn715]

Seems a great all round package as a city car or second car. Kind of where the Mini used to be. Good to see buttons too 😅

[@user-fn5bo1nn7j]

A great city car. Very nice to see it has physical buttons and a key. I prefer that to poking around in a screen, as buttons can be found instinctively while on the move. I think it will be a good seller, and when they begin to appear on the used market, they will be even more sought after.

[@mishumihai223]

I love it. In this world of crossover fat Pumas and Capris, and other SUVs, it's an orange breath of fresh air.

[@Trevster65]

Wicked little car, not everyone needs a Tesla.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

Funny you should say this because I am nearing retirement and my plan is to replace my model Y with one of these!

[@oojimmyflip]

@@user-jt4fy4od9r chances are your Tesla will only be worth 14k in part ex as well.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@oojimmyflip No I checked - £48k trade in.

[@Jaw0lf]

A lovely and fun review. It looks like an amazing second car or one that the younger drivers could afford to insure. Great to see the improvements and updates to safety as well. Wireless car play as a surprising addition and makes life far easier. The efficiency though is incredible, it shows how we need more smaller lighter EV's. Nicola I want to say thank you for bringing a smile and a bit of fun to my day.

[@Jaw0lf]

@@EVRealFacts Nicola did say they have added various sensors as well as speedsign recognition, all being the things that now add to the safety score! Old version did as you say, only have 1 star!

[@runningman5871]

Awesome! this is the second car/commute car everyone needs.

[@zzpaul01]

This is a car for people that want transport, the original ford fiesta was 45bhp but I suspect slower to 30 than the small output spring, I would be very happy with one as my second car, and I think the dog would fit in the boot.

[@joolsmorgan7032]

That 23 miles driving a day stat applies to all of us, yet we all get het up if our new shiny EV doesn’t do 250-300 miles. I’m as guilty as anyone.

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

The same as having cars that can go any faster than the maximum legal speed limit, which in most countries is 70mph.

[@markanthonyharrison5153]

Totally agree. I stupidly had it in my head that I would need a car that can cover 250 miles on one charge before I would consider. Just checked...My commute to my office is 22 miles there and back and I have never done more than 70 miles in one day on more than 3 occasions in the last 9 months 🤣

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

Can't wait for these to hit the secondhand market in 2-3 years time. A great little car for what it's designed for, as long as you don't expect it to things it wasn't designed for, a good little city or second car.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

Things it wasn't design for? Driving e.g.? Or what do you mean?

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

@@thedreamfactory6964 It goes far enough & fast enough for most people, unless your a boy racer who lives far out of town. As a city or second car for the school run it's fine & most importantly cheap.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

@@user-ol6rd7pl5t I know, just wondering what YOU believe it isn't designed for. I can mention... 7...10 things it ain't designed for. I gave 'driving' as primary thing it ain't designed for..You mentioned non. Did you notice Nicola was really vague concerning 'driving' capacities of this thing? Wonder why?

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

Add an option for a tiny motor on the second axle for AWD. Not for acceleration, but for traction on ice and snow. Looking for small hatchback/crossover, don't need perforance acceleration, but appreciate awd tracktion during winter. The smaller main motor would be sufficient, then add maybe 5 kW on the second axle for awd with peak performance up to ~40 km/h. Won't mind if the second motor competely disconnects at higher speed, and possibly switch between «always AWD at low speed»/«traction control activated AWD»/«AWD always off»

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

@@EVRealFacts did you ever see the video? The 2021 test was 1 star, while the new 2024 test is 3 stars. Still not impressive, but you better get the facts right with your user name.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Highly impressive car for the money, and probably enough car for a lot of people. To be honest it would do 90% of what I need

[@steamboatmodel]

This is the type of EV we need.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@EVRealFacts Wow you are still at it. Peddling the pointless NCAP ratings rubbish.

[@marcogentile3392]

This feels much more like an electric Fiat Panda, than the actual electric Fiat Panda

[@NoName-md5zb]

Electric panda is citroen ec3

[@Ambienfinity]

Always good fun, but Nicola makes a serious point. The EV market needs cars like this, right now.

[@akf2000]

7.4 mi/kWh is RIDICULOUS

[@witkowskimarcin4552]

Yes, I had to recalculate it first into kWh per kms. 8,4 kWh per 100 km. 😊 It is a half what my Tesla 3 LR use.

[@davepage1151]

It’s ridiculous because it’s ridiculous - it doesn’t add up. 26.8kWh battery x 7.4m/kWh = potential 198.32 miles range. Now even they only say 140 mile range (5.22m/kWh) so I’d say likely 120 As they always over sell it and that’s 4.47m/kWh which it should easily do as it’s light and not exactly all about the power. Now I don’t doubt that it’s capable of efficiency at times being at 7.4m/kWh because the VW E-UP (Seat and Skoda versions) can achieve that but you’re not getting close to 200 miles on a full charge.

[@akf2000]

@@davepage1151 something's not right. Granted it is much lighter (the lightest) but it doesn't look crazy aerodynamic.

[@ekolekol4389]

At 20mph?

[@carly-beatz-DJ]

Really enjoying your cracking reviews on this channel. I was never a fan of EV's. But - something here has opened my eye a wee bit. Great review this, refreshing to have some sense of humour as standard.

[@philryan7254]

Good morning first of all fantastic little video very comedic and now for the the car itself I think the 15,000 you can't go wrong if you want an electric car just for the city. I've actually owned two Daciers I bought stepway back in 2014 and then in 2016 I bought a duster and I enjoyed both of them say my opinion I think this will sell in bucket loads.....cheers Phil

[@donaloherlihy203]

As someone who has driven an EV since 2015, weight is the key benefit for me. EVs require minimum maintenance but they do go through tyres, especially if roads are in bad condition near you. This sounds like an excellent addition to the EV market.

[@mikadavies660]

It's efficiency is class leading... Its monthly payments will be the lowest of any EV in UK. It is actually what many thousands have been asking for , for years.

[@ChromeFlakes]

Nicola Hume is actually Joy from Inside Out. 😂😂😂 I was in a bad mood; not anymore after watching this video. 😂

[@akf2000]

😂😂😂 need more Nicolas

[@thedreamfactory6964]

​@@EVRealFactsShe also doesn't want us to know it's a Dongfeng. Why hiding this? Might hamper sales???

[@TheBrucifer]

⁠@@EVRealFactsFor someone claiming they are about the facts, it is funny you say it is a death trap, shows you don’t know how Euro NCAP works. The standard is regularly updated, so a 1st at car today, might have been a 4 or 5 star only a few years ago. It’s not great but it is far from a death trap, most cars its size from even just a decade ago would be far worse. 🙄

[@ChromeFlakes]

@@TheBrucifer yeah it probably just has fewer annoying bings and bongs less when you go near the edges of your lanes etc.

[@ChrisChimes]

Is there a moderator for these comments? I ask this question because "''@EVRealFacts" is persisting in replying to people's comments by alleging that the Dacia Spring has 1 star crash protection. However, the the subject of this review is about an all-new Dacia Spring (except for the roof, as made clear in the review), and NCAP have not published results for this latest model - only for the previous one. Therefore the 1 star crash allegation is false. Also please note Colin Moss' point that, for that previous model, it was the absence of certain automatic safety tech which caused the low score, NOT apparently crash testing. NCAP seem to have become hung up on driver aids.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

Yep I noticed this fool too. You get them from time to time unfortunately. It is getting worse where NCAP is concerned as they are now going to penalise cars that don't have buttons randomly placed behind the steering wheel in lieu of a touch screen. It is starting to become irrelevant and manufacturers won't bother with it going forward.

[@jcfallows]

Great review Nicola I had to watch it again as I watched you more the first time !

[@stephenchapman8603]

Bought this car when i locednin france for the school run, beach trips and frocery shopping. Loved it!

[@nunagoras]

Of course, Nicola is far more electrifying than her car for today, but she makes any car as electrifying as herself in exchange!... I highly enjoy to see all those electric car reviews from all those ladies like Nicola whom absolutely love what they're doing!... Regarding the Spring it is not a car "for the poor" anymore. Low cost? Affordable? Sure! But you have the very basics on your side for the journey and that is what one needs afterwards. Want a little car for your little local commuting driving? Here it is the perfect one. This can even be an upper class citizen's 2nd car just for the day-to-day!

[@Nicokleijn]

I live in Holland and I own a Spring 45, the "old" model. Cheaper driving is impossible. I do the loding at the local Tesla supercharger wich cost €0,32 per kwh, cheaper then at my home. This car cost €0,03 per km to drive. O, and the 45 hp is not at all bad.

[@Cats-N-Music]

Seems like a very sensible car, reminds me of cars in the late 80s, 90s and early 2000s when there were a diverse variety of cheerful 'A' segment cars to choose from. Just the right amount of electronics to provide the necessary creature comforts without being too intrusive like most cars today. Who needs electric park brakes and electronic tailgates when we can do it faster manually and is one less component to worry about failing. But most importantly this Dacia reminds me of a time when cars were affordable, durable and fun. Bravo Dacia!

[@kevinwillis6707]

at last an affordable EV without all the bloatware, good review.

[@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270]

Under a tonne!!?...That should stop all the car parks from collapsing.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rogerphelps9939]

As if there was any danger of that happening.

[@nmellor774]

If only you'd told us earlier.

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

So would getting rid of all the range rovers & big SUVs.

[@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270]

@@rogerphelps9939 Indeed, the EV haters have spread this nonsense in a blaze of fact-free glory

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@EVRealFacts Assuming you pay any attention to the laughable NCAP scores. I think you are the only one who does.

[@JayWalker]

Been a dacia driver for a few years, going from Stepway, to Duster as my family grew.. The spring isnt big enough for us, but definitely an amazing step in the EV universe to show other manufacturers that is CAN be done to make an affordable EV car.. Hopefully in next few years more companies will take notice and we'll see the EV market really flourish.. We will be joining the EV revolution when we can.

[@OnkelRobinjo]

This Moderator is truly wonderful to look at, I must say. The car is nice too.

[@user-hf7jp2lt5x]

The thing about range is to take a long look at your driving patterns. With the aid of Google, which has been recording my journeys for years revealed that I rarely need more than 150 miles in a day. Actually a range of 100 would suffice with a pee/charge stop. If I was motorway mile munching it would be a different story. Just be honest with yourself.

[@LifeAfterLosing]

I would love to see this in the states. I don’t think people would have a problem paying a bit more for a larger battery to get more range. 200+ miles would be much better and would still be cheaper than anything else on sale now. The issue with only 100 miles of range is winter temperatures and future battery degradation. There is no buffer on a car with only 100 miles of range. But I love everything else about it and more affordable cars like this are needed right now. Can I afford a more expensive car? Sure. But I don’t buy cars to impress my neighbors. I would rather save more for retirement, travel more, and eat better. My neighbors can sit at home looking at their expensive car in the driveway.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

It would be unafordable in the us due to the high import taxes. This is a Chinese Dongfeng.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@thedreamfactory6964 I researched this and it is really a Renault. Ironic that I would love to have a Cyber truck here in the UK but it isn't going to happen either.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

@@user-jt4fy4od9r Chinese cars, made in China, so us import taxes. They can put whatever badge on it.... Even Rolls Royce or Lincoln: won't change a thing.

[@BMWHP2]

Thanks Nicola, for the nice video, and like always, we also love the humorous way you present it. We really like the Dacia Spring. Well done by Dacia, to build an affordable EV in de A segment, that looks good in and outside. Even a frunk as an option. 👍 For us, its range is to small and the charging speed prevents it from use on longer distances. And for us, that is a must. We do at least 3 trips from the Netherlands to Germany or Belgium per year, and also a trip to Austria, France or Switzerland. So several trips over 800km. That's why we chose the Citroën ë-C3. Yes more expansive, and in a higher segment, but the first EV with enough range and charging speed that was affordable for us.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

Yes I Hope a "long range" version of this car appears at some point. It was certainly greatly widen it's appeal.

[@RyuLongRHOG]

The first thing that spring up in my mind is I would LOVE to have THIS as my daily driver. And the car is gorgeous too.

[@downwind_david]

Amazing efficiency of 7.4 miles per KWh she says and the battery is 26.8 kWh so range = 198.32 miles. In the previous sentence, "WLTP is 140 miles, so real world will probably about 100 miles". Your figures don't stack up! If we take WLTP figure, then that would be efficiency of 5.22 miles/KWh. Alternatively, if the 7.4 miles/KWh is true then only 18.9 kWh of the battery is useable (7.4 x 18.9 = 140 miles WLTP).

[@andymccabe6712]

Whateverzzzz..... Stop whining. .....!!!

[@downwind_david]

@@andymccabe6712 If as a presenter and motoring journalist, you're going to make a big point about a car's efficiency, then maybe you should get the figure right - or if it is what Dacia have told you, then maybe not just regurgitate it without some critical thinking. It's not whining, it's just good journalism.

[@ISuperTed]

I’m pretty sure that Nicola mis-read this being a French version and it was kilometres per KWh, which translates into less tha 5 miles per KWh. Seems a lot more reasonable and the maths make sense.

[@downwind_david]

@@ISuperTed That would make complete sense as everything is in km in France.

[@thedreamfactory6964]

My thoughts!

[@Grudlin74]

19.7 seconds who bothered to time that 🤣. Though with Nicolas cheeriness I'm sold 👍🏾

[@shroomyesc]

This having V2L but Volkswagen group's products still not having it is hilarious

[@Dubnoreix]

And then Volkswagen is wondering why their EVs don’t sell so well.

[@drxym]

V2L is certainly a useful feature although unfortunately there is no "standard" for it. My MG 4 has V2L but I need an adapter specific to the car - I can't use an Ioniq adapter for example, despite both being type 2 connector at one end and a 3-pin plug socket at the other. Different cars have different ways to flip the car into yielding AC, and you need the right cable. This unfortunately dampens demand for this sort of feature and increases the cost of the adapters.

[@stevenjones916]

Or the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y.

[@stevenjones916]

​@@DubnoreixThe VW Group outsell Tesla in Europe by a large margin.

[@chrismoule7242]

@@stevenjones916 And? How does this negate what the post said?

[@user-hf7jp2lt5x]

If you buy an 8m charger you can easily reach the front port if you back into the space. Works with my ZS, which is longer.

[@stephenrussell6074]

By far the best presenter on electrifying, be careful she isn’t poached for a rival like carwow or autogefuhl.

[@stephenrussell6074]

@@EVRealFacts maybe if you had read the five star rating of the new Dacia Spring rather than looking at the one for the 2021 car you would realise that’s a premature comment probably from a premature mind.

[@RichardHilditch]

I think you may have looked at the naughtyly named green ncap rating. We are still waiting for the new euro ncap review of this updated version. Hopefully soon...

[@stephenrussell6074]

@@RichardHilditch it seems I am just as premature, I didn’t see any green reference on the top gear article.

[@trevorberridge6079]

You say the small battery should work in theory. But in reality batteries this size and smaller have been working very well for over a decade. My Leaf has a smaller battery and has taken me everywhere I need to go from a 3 mile trip to work in 15 mintues to an 890 mile round trip to Edinburgh and back in two days. You might also be surprised to know that my 2015 Leaf cost me less than £17,000 on a lease purchase. EVs aren't all as expensive as they are made out to be.

[@akf2000]

A physical key for an EV would break my brain

[@beliyiannis]

Congratulations!! I have watched the presentation of this car in another one or two channels but this presentation was by far the best!!!🎉

[@thefathippy]

I reckon that'd be a great little runabout/commuter/second car. Kids to school? Perfect. Nana to bowls? Brilliant. My old commute? Ideal.

[@JMB1891]

Fair play to Dacia for producing such a car, however with talk of pay per mile, EV’s having to pay ULEZ and rising energy costs, I’d rather spend that £15k on something else.

[@justinjones6810]

As a American I am very jealous it will be years before we get anything ev this budget friendly

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

It weighs less than a ton... That's the key to making EVs. Keep them lighter and you don't need massive batteries. Also is it just me, or is that interior so much better than the one in the MG4?

[@robtheplod]

At last, an EV correctly designed and priced... it will do very well

[@tooflesstesla]

As always, an entertaining review! I still think the Hyundai Ionic 28kWh is the most efficient EV. Compared with the Dacia Spring's 26.8kWh battery, the Ionic easily does 150 miles (in the summer) and 130 miles (winter). 7.4 miles per kWh for the Spring ... I'd like to see that!

[@philiptaylor7902]

For a second car runabout it's perfect. What's not to like?

[@martynf65uk]

@@EVRealFacts Karen, you have issues.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

@@EVRealFacts If only NCAP was actually about safety and not protectionism. NCAP are going to reduce safety ratings if a car does not have buttons placed everywhere in odd places. Pointless to the point of irrelevance going forward. Except possibly for German auto, they love the 20th Century after all.

[@turbogeek.421]

I'd seriously consider this as an option for a second car!

[@JonathanMorris777]

If this does over 7 miles per kWh (which it probably will for low speed city driving) then on the right tariff, we now have a car that costs under 1p per mile. Let that sink in. School runs for around 2-3p per trip. Less expensive parts and features to go wrong in years to come means this is going to be an even better second hand buy in years to come. There's little to go wrong compared with buying a ICE vehicle that's getting on a bit. Remember, the low mileage will mean the battery lasting for decades!

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

I suspect the reviewer got miles and kilometres mixed up. I believe this car's efficiency is quoted at around five miles per kwh. Which is still awesome.

[@JonathanMorris777]

@@user-jt4fy4od9r yes, I've subsequently realised it was probably km. But if it can achieve 5 for city driving that's still great and with the latest tariff is still going to be dirt cheap to run.

[@MrDaveb1979]

Used my power take off to run my washing machine last week, as I needed a few extra loads before the bad weather hit. Not paying 23 pence per kw

[@tomduke1297]

that is a very decent little car, i approve! ;)

[@pale4980]

Wow! This reminds me so much of the Renault Super 5 of my youth. All the car you need, still loads of fun. What a perfect entry to the EV world. Would take this over an ICE compact any day of the week. Brilliant!

[@martinwray7001]

Which city car never has to tackle the country? Car looks great but they need to somehow cram some more cheap cells into it to prevent it from being just a niche product. Nicola awesome as always.

[@LifeAfterLosing]

Agreed. A bigger battery should be optional. People would pay more for double the range. It’s nice to hop in your car and take a drive to the country, or go on a trip if you need to. It could be an only car with more range but with only 100 miles, people on a budget would just get a used car that can do it all. They don’t have the budget for multiple cars or may not have the space for more than one.

[@jamesengland7461]

GOOD NEWS! THE DACIA SPRING IS FINALLY AVAILABLE FOR A TEST DRIVE!

[@martinpalm7859]

Looks better than the previous Spring. The Configurator shows better specs and the essential is meant only for companies as work cars. I am interested, as it may save my monthly gas expenditure in the long run. But alas the monthly lease pay is still high. like two times higher than when I bought my Škoda Fabia 2017. Also, be mindful. Doors are empty shells on this version as well. Basically minimal insulation from the noise and also from the external temperatures. Also, it has no seat warmer extras to add on. So an extra layer of pants in the winter is mandatory.

[@Umski]

Noting the lack of plastic trim junk around the inside of the boot lid = lighter and less cost - this is how it should be - the pointless trims everywhere may look nice and add to sound dampening but that's a hangover from having an engine...more focus needed on efficiency and less on needless "features" - good effort by Dacia 👍

[@JonathanMorris777]

The 0-60 times are quite amusing but I'd really like to know the 0-30 (perhaps even 0-20) times as for city driving, the ability to pull out safely from a junction or onto a busy roundabout is about all you need any power for.

[@linetech6589]

0-30 in 3.8 sec

[@JonathanMorris777]

@@linetech6589 thank you.

[@CandycaneBeyond]

We need these in USA

[@johnmackenzie7487]

My god, how whimsical can she get ?

[@TK42138]

Great car review. I'm not normally a fan of EV's but have to admit as a city or commuter hack, this car does seem to make sense especially at that price. Surprised how light it is. That's around the same kerb weight as my 2004 Peugeot 206 1.1 petrol. Anyone else notice the clever pantograph windscreen wiper mechanism?

[@DebbieDaydream]

Love watching your reviews you are honest and we need that with EV’s, also you make me giggle 🤭 this car is pretty cool it reminds me slightly of the new Renault 5?

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

I was smitten by the little Spring the second I first saw it and it is fabulous in Brick Red. A huge advance on its popular predecessor. This car's petrol nemesis is the Hyundai 1.0L Automatic. Very similar in spec but then the Spring is cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain and cheaper to BUY. I think the tipping point has been reached? I hope Dacia look to introduce a larger battery "long range" model with the continuing reduction in battery pack prices together with increasing energy density. An all-day real world range of 200 miles for less than twenty grand and this car will be even more popular than I am sure it will already be. A great review of a superb little car!!!!!

[@stephenlee5929]

That wasn't where someone put the subscribe button, but nicely done. Nice car.

[@Yanquetino]

I always love seeing your reviews, Nicola, despite when you start… pun'ting, but I also have to grumble. On your side of the pond there are so many EVs to choose from, from cheap to luxury! Over here we are so antiquated and blinded. We really need to join earthlings for the greater good.

[@greenmoose_]

I am actually very interested in this car. Currently I own a 2022 Dacia Sandero (automatic!) and honestly its been nothing but great for my needs. Its maybe even a bit too big. A weird point though is that my Sandero (14 grand again) DOES have automatic wipers and is that a KEY you have to turn I notice?! my Sandero is fully keyless entry/start etc so long as you have the card thing in your pocket. I know it sounds daft but I actually think it would be hard to go back from that! I was lucky enough to buy my car in the time when they offered wireless android auto/apple carplay and whats made me resist the dealers overtures to "upgrade" to a newer model is the removal of this feature so its nice to see it back in the Spring!

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

I had a rental recently, a Hyundai i10 1.0L automatic and it seems to be a petrol version of this car. I thought I was not going to like it but I was soon charmed by its honest simplicity and practical outlook. The i10 also has as standard all the auto steer, lane keep, emergency brakes etc and all-round electric windows but still a key and (unless I could not find it) no auto wipers. It is also more expensive to buy, run and maintain than this Dacia, so maybe EVs are finally the cheaper option.

[@greenmoose_]

@@user-jt4fy4od9r I think my Sandero is reaping the benefits of being based on the Clio platform which has had all these features I enjoy as standard for years. The auto wiper system seems to be very similar to the 2002 Clio Sport I owned a long time ago, the steering wheel volume controls are from a renault of that period too as are the electric window switches, etc. The keycard thing is also clearly a rebadged Clio key too so I'm guessing it cost them very little or nothing to include these features!

[@redjohn20001]

I love it. It looks great. Back to basic motoring, the modern day Morris Minor, that incidentaly was my second ever car I owned. Perhaps this could be the second ever ev I own. Great review as well. Thanks.

[@fredgaine1330]

Thanks for this review Nicola you always put a smile on my face. I was in the South of France a couple summers ago and that thing was absolutely everywhere. I was very intrigued.

[@elinys2843]

15k and V2L. Say no more. This is what the world needs.

[@lumsdot]

just bought a 2020 leaf with 2.5k miles for 11k in uk

[@sargfowler9603]

But this is new with warranty, not 4 years old. I get you, but some people will want a new car. Other options are a 2020 ID.3 for £11K, Tesla M3 2019 for £13K, Corsa E 2020 for £8500, MG4 2022 for £15K. The list goes on.

[@NonstopDrivingReviews]

And in Germany, if you're early, they will pay for your first 25.000 km of electric cost

[@ISuperTed]

My neighbours bought a 22 plate Leaf for £13k. Of course you don’t get the cheap finance and full warranty of a new car but there are a lot of very good used EV’s out there at the same price. Depends how important having a new car is to you.

[@sargfowler9603]

@@ISuperTed This Dacia will probably be worth £5K after 3 years

[@wass006]

Such a good presenter/reviewer

[@gipap13]

Hey Nicola, just a shoutout to you as a presenter! Your videos are super professional but at the same time simple and natural! You give all the necessary information without the faff! And what’s more you make it about the cars, never about you! I think you are ready for the next step, hey @TopGear people audition this rising star!!!

[@TassieEV]

Finally a car company that doesn't care about the stupid 0-60 times that are meaningless in real world driving. You're not taking this on the Nurburgring or any track even. The big question is what is the new EuroNCAP rating hopefully it's far and improved over the original which did VERY badly. So as it has a mechanical handbrake can you do a handbrake turn to impress the passenger and those watching or will it just roll onto it's side? A huge hole where they could have put in a frunk but didn't, so means Alibaba will have a 3rd party version available shortly after launch is my guess.

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

You can option a frunk tray if you like when ordering. I agree there will be loads of third party options for this car soon.

[@anthonybrown4874]

It's a great effort though I think as a 2nd hand ev that's where the real value in this will be when there is a bit more competition in the small ev class.

[@duncanbuchanan218]

Its £16,000 for the basic 65hp version, thats good but needs to compare against second hand eCorsa & e208... I guess its the finance options that may clinch the deal on these. What I would like to see is a long-wheel base estate vesion of this (and a van version). Plenty of people only need 4 seats - but they do lug stuff about (eg dogs). An estate at £17,000 would be very interesting. (I an sure an Estate eCorsa would sell too).

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

If you are after a cheap EV estate then consider a second hand MG5. They are bullet proof and practical and can be had for not a lot of money - 7 year warranty too.

[@duncanbuchanan218]

@@user-jt4fy4od9r I suggested an estate version because we need more choice. EVs dominated by SUV style we need other types of vehicle, especially small lower cost EVs.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Fantastic little car! I really only have one complaint, charging should be faster. 150 km range is fine but then charging has to be quick to compensate.

[@user-xt7zv3xk7q]

Finelly Romania deliveres you something better than cheeky girls😂😂😂😂

[@rml695]

I learned something new in this video. I had no idea that chrome was bad for the environment, and being that my parents were older, I grew up around wood and chrome car interiors. I did some searching, and I apparently found out about something called spray chrome. Unfortunately, it was not from a mutual source, the information I found was on the manufacturers website, so I’m still gonna be doing some research but I’m honestly quite curious about the ability to keep the look without the environmental effects.

[@AutoReport1]

It's the chroming process that's to blame, with nasty chemical waste. The EU now bans or is scheduled to ban all chrome parts using the specific process, no matter where done. California just banning chrome shops in California after previously trying to regulate waste/emissions output.

[@Muzeishen]

Nice ride! Good that it’s affordable while keeping most modern conveniences

[@stevencito1000]

I’ll buy it as a external battery for my house! 😂

[@user-jt4fy4od9r]

It's a good point though - charge up overnight cheap rate then use for the house during the day. It will work for some people.

[@josephcullen2512]

Not sure whether the editor was trolling but she got the subscribe button location about right on my phone

[@lyracian]

I am excited to get this.