The Dacia Spring is pioneering affordable electric mobility in Europe for under 20,000 euros. For daily urban commuting, this handy hatchback has the battery range, interior space and feature set to get the job done while keeping your bank account healthy.
Let‘s examine what‘s under the hood to reveal why value-focused buyers are giving it five stars.
What Makes the Dacia Spring Stand Out?
The Spring‘s defining features:
- Entry-level EV pricing from 17,980 euros with incentives lowering it further
- 225 km real-world driving range from 26.8 kWh battery pack
- Smooth, quiet urban driving experience with handy dimensions
- Fast DC charging regains 80% battery in under 1 hour
- Familiar infotainment and smartphone connectivity
- Ample safety assists typical of higher-end EVs
- 5 year / 120,000 km warranty for peace of mind
Thanks to this complete package combining electric mobility, utility and quality, the Spring leapt to Europe‘s best selling EV within one year of launch. Yet as demand keeps rising, does it continue to be a smart buy? Let‘s lift up the hood to find out!
Performance Specifications: How Does it Compare?
The Spring adopts a modest powertrain using proven EV technology to keep costs contained. Here is how it stacks up on paper versus other entry-level European EVs:
| Specification | Dacia Spring | Fiat 500 | smart EQ fortwo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Euros) | 17,990 | 26,670 | 22,600 |
| Battery Capacity | 27 kWh | 23.8 kWh | 17.6 kWh |
| Electric Motor | 33 kW permanent magnet AC motor | 70 kW induction motor | 41 kW synchronous motor |
| Horsepower | 44 hp | 87 hp | 60 hp |
| 0-60 mph Time | 19 seconds | 9 seconds | 11.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 84 mph | 93 mph | 81 mph |
| Electric Range | 141 miles | 114 miles | 96 miles |
| Maximum Charging Speed | 30 kW DC | 85 kW DC | 22 kW DC |
While falling short of power metrics, the Spring‘s real-world driving range outpaces more expensive rivals. Clever engineering, light weight and efficiency optimization give it an edge slicing through cities. Next we‘ll see how that nominal 44 hp feels behind the wheel.
Driving Experience: Smooth Urban Commutes
The Spring makes no claims towards athleticism with mundane acceleration figures. Yet start rolling and its petite EV manners shine through thanks to perky low-end torque. Drivers report smooth take-offs and a comfortable 50-70 km/h highway cruise. The tall ride height provides a commanding view of the road letting you anticipate busy traffic.
Tackling tight turns and narrow streets, its high efficiency steering and 9.6 meter turning circle make the Spring a nimble navigator. Out back, a tiny 3.2 meter turning radius suits tricky parking garages. Brakes feel strong and progressive too, with handy regenerative blending.
While highway passing power and high-speed composure come up short, that‘s not this EV‘s mission. As an affordable suburban shuttle buggy focused on safety and functionality over pace, the Spring ticks all the boxes.
Charging Solutions for Urban Lifestyles
The Spring tries to keep charging easy whether using provided cables or public infrastructure. Let‘s break down typical scenarios by location and speeds.
At Home: The Spring comes with a Mode 2 cable for regular household sockets. On 220V/10A supplies, a full 0-100% charge takes:
- 13 hours 30 minutes
For faster home charging, a 3.7 kW AC wallbox cuts this down to:
- 4 hours 30 minutes
Public Charging: Connecting to 11-22kW public stations via the Mode 3 cable allows:
- 20-80% in 1 hour 20 minutes at 22 kW
- 15-80% in 2 hours 40 minutes at 7 kW
DC Fast Charging: The Spring accepts up to 30 kW DC via the CCS2 port. Ideal for topping up on road trips, this adds:
- 60 miles range in 30 minutes
- 80% battery in under 40 minutes
Considering most owners just need overnight top-ups, the Spring keeps life simple. Its small battery also plays nice with lower-powered AC outlets that fully refresh overnight. Those handy 30 kW DC charging pitstops grant some flexibility for weekend road trips too!
Intuitive Technology and Smart Features
The Spring provides intuitive technology via its 7-inch touchscreen and My Dacia smartphone app. Attractive styling encases a cleanly designed interface dialed-in for ease of use. Large menu icons and a responsive touch panel make commands effortless whether stationary or moving. It eschews complex menus or settings in favor of functional basics everyone gets quickly.
Available features include:
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
- Audio streaming
- Satellite navigation
- Customizable dash views
- Remote charging controls
- Pre-heat/cool cabin
- Range/charging status
- Last-mile walking directions
While not matching luxury offerings, Spring buyers adore how these handy functions integrate daily driving. The smartphone linkage also appeals to younger crowds already living through devices.
Safety Systems for Added Confidence
Safety rightly concerns first-time EV drivers, but the Spring provides protection comparable to leading small cars. Extensive use of high strength steel in its frame plus standard auto braking technology earned it a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
Let‘s walk through key safety assists onboard:
- Automatic emergency braking (pedestrian/cyclist detection)
- Lane departure warning
- Blindspot warning system
- Driver drowsiness alerts
- Traffic sign recognition
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
- Hill start assist
- Reversing camera
- Cruise control & speed limiter
With proactive collision avoidance technology and driving aids, the Spring has your back skipping around the city. These extras build confidence for new adopters to fully enjoy its electric experience.
Interior Ergonomics and Comfort
The Spring‘s cabin adapts a minimalist, user-first approach using hard-wearing materials. Plentiful storage spaces and a smartly designed dash layout allow a relaxing ride for four adults.
- Supportive front seats with height adjustment
- 30+ liters of interior storage areas
- Intuitive climate and audio button layouts
- Clear outward visibility
- 4G WiFi hotspot for connectivity
Reviewers found the comfortable, supportive seats and expansive headroom particularly outstanding. And carrying bulky items is no problem with over 900 liters of cargo space thanks to folding rear seats.
No luxury frills are present, but the fundamentals suit most buyers needs. The Spring keeps you connected and comfortable mile after mile.
What Does the Future Hold? Dacia Spring Extreme On the Horizon
In 2023 Dacia is launching the new Spring Extreme variant, dialing performance slightly higher through:
- Power bump to 52 hp (38 kW)
- Increased 30 kWh battery capacity
- Faster charging to 80 kW DC
- Expected 225 km / 140 mile range
- Updated styling cues and interior materials
This souped-up Spring looks to build on strengths that made its predecessor a runaway success. Early price estimates land around 22,300 Euros, expanding the range‘s appeal.
Conclusion: Europe‘s Best Affordable Electric Vehicle
The Dacia Spring condenses electric driving essentials into a cheerfully no-frills package for the masses. For new adopters, its smooth performance, handy storage and long enough range remove barriers keeping EV ownership accessible. Given skyrocketing gas prices, that 17,990 euro MSRP looks smarter every day if buying new.
As the first model democratizing electric mobility in Europe, the Spring EV sets the template for affordable transportation done right. Kudos to Dacia for pulling comfort, quality and safety upmarket. For earlier EV owners too, the Spring promises inexpensive clean transportation to embrace for short-range commutes.
Test drive one from your local Dacia and experience going electric on a real-world budget!
