Dacia Bigster vs Citroën C5 Aircross: Budget SUVs Face Off

Budget family SUVs clash with the new Dacia Bigster squaring off against the Citroën C5 Aircross hybrid. Auto Express pitted these two models head-to-head—both promising buckets of space for peanuts, just taking different routes to seduce budget-conscious families.

"100,000 units built in barely a year—the Bigster's become a proper pillar of Dacia's lineup." — Dacia

The Dacia Bigster Proves Its Commercial Muscle

The Dacia Bigster ain't no surprise anymore. Launched early 2025, this hefty 4.57-meter SUV has already smashed past the 100,000 units built. In France alone, 16,283 vehicles found owners over 2025, putting it ahead of stalwarts like the Renault Austral or the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The recipe's the same as the Duster: unbeatable bang for your buck. Dacia nailed it by dropping a roomy SUV at prices that don't sting, borrowing every trick that made the Sandero Europe's best-selling car in 2025.

Citroën Strikes Back With Hybrid C5 Aircross

Not about to sit idle, Citroën hit back. The new C5 Aircross banks on hybrid power to turn heads. The Hybrid You! version that Auto Express tested kicks off at €30,495—a gutsy price point to muscle out the Bigster.

The hybrid setup pairs a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder for a total punch of 143 horsepower. Performance's measured—0-100 km/h in 11.2 seconds—but fuel sipping lands at 42.1 mpg in British tests.

Price Gap Tightens—Dangerously

The money spread's closing in on Dacia fast. While the Bigster used to own the pricing game, Citroën's now slashing like a madman. Motor.es reports €7,600 discounts on some versions, dragging the French SUV right down to the Romanian upstart's level.

This price war flips the script. The C5 Aircross comes slicker and stuffed with more standard kit: 13-inch touchscreen, 10-inch digital dash, dual-zone auto climate, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Space and Practicality—The Heavy Hitters

Both SUVs go all-in on roominess. The Bigster milks every millimeter of its 4.57 meters to serve up generous trunk space and a proper spacious rear bench. The C5 Aircross counters with Advanced Comfort seats—the chevron brand's calling card.

Auto Express notes these two sling comfort-first suspension tuning, absorbing road defects rather than chasing corners.

Which SUV Should You Buy?

This one comes down to the details. The Dacia Bigster keeps its edge on perceived reliability and no-fuss usability. Its dealer network sits thick on the ground, and maintenance costs stay locked down.

The Citroën C5 Aircross leans on hybrid tech, onboard smarts, and more polished finish. Citroën's 509 miles range claims and €195 annual tax are solid sales hooks.

Now it's a fair fight. Dacia's got a refreshed rival who's blowing up the segment's pricing playbook. The Bigster's 1,177 registrations in January 2026 prove the model's got legs, but Citroën's clearly locked and loaded in this accessible family SUV scrap.

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