Dacia invited us to the South of France to unveil a significant update to their cherished electric city car. The 2024 Spring is no longer just a low-cost option; it aims for a higher market segment without abandoning its roots. This is a challenging move in an increasingly competitive market, especially with a price increase. Here’s what we thought after a few hours of driving.
Dacia Spring (2024)Technical Specifications
| Model | Dacia Spring (2024) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.70 m x 1.58 m x 1.51 m |
| Power (HP) | 65 HP |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 13.7 s |
| Autonomy Level | Assisted driving (level 1) |
| Max Speed | 125 km/h |
| Main Screen Size | 10 inches |
| Car Side Plug | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
| Base Price | 18,900 euros |
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Product details |
Dacia Spring (2024)Design: A Subtle Yet Deliberate Evolution
At first glance, she’s easily recognizable, yet almost everything has been changed. Dacia has made a subtle yet impactful update. New Y-shaped headlight blocks, glossy black inserts, and redesigned bumpers give it a fresh look without disguising its identity.
This isn’t a radical stylistic revolution like the Sandero III, but a coherent modernization that visually anchors the Spring in the brand’s new design language.
The closed grille, typical of EVs, is now more seamlessly integrated. The 15-inch wheels, with a more “SUV-like” appearance, contribute to this feeling: the Spring seems sturdier, better grounded, without being overdone.
Let’s be honest: there’s still a somewhat “cheap”, plasticky feel with odd proportions that reveal a less refined design. But that’s not really the point: the Dacia Spring is a car you aren’t afraid to get dirty, more of a utility vehicle than a status symbol. Unfortunately, Dacia’s hands are somewhat tied as it inherits an aging Chinese platform with limited room for maneuver, especially if the brand aims to keep costs down.
Dacia Spring (2024)Interior: Plastic Era Continues, Yet Better Organized
Inside, it feels genuinely modern in a Dacia for the first time with the Spring. The dashboard layout has been redesigned, featuring rectangular vents and a decorative strip across its width. The plastics are still hard – obviously – but the overall cohesion, new color schemes (especially in the Extreme trim), and attention to ergonomics make you momentarily forget the low-cost origins.
The front space remains good, with a straightforward, upright driving position that is not unpleasant. In the back, taller individuals will find it cramped, especially in terms of headroom and knee space, as you can see in the photo with my height of one meter eighty-four.
The trunk remains at 308 liters, which is average for the segment. At the front, there’s no standard frunk, but an accessory is available that adds an extra 35 liters of space under the front hood.
Dacia Spring (2024)Infotainment: A Pleasant Surprise
The 2024 Dacia Spring finally features a worthy infotainment system. The central 10-inch touchscreen, now available in the Extreme trim, integrates wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface is responsive, well-designed, and although the screen quality doesn’t match that of a Tesla, it no longer feels like a penalty.
The instrument cluster has also been upgraded with a small central TFT display and modernized graphics. Simple, effective, and reassuring for those new to electric vehicles.
There is no route planner included. It’s not very necessary given the car’s city-focused nature, but it would be nice to have for the occasional longer journey.
Dacia Spring (2024)Driving Assistance: Still Doing the Bare Minimum
This is where the Spring really shows its age and market positioning. There’s no adaptive cruise control, no active lane keeping, no advanced driving assistant. Even a rearview camera is only available in the higher trims. Thus, we’re missing out on level 2 semi-autonomous driving.
Dacia has opted for simplicity over comprehensiveness, focusing on a well-tuned ESP, adequate braking, and a sometimes intrusive lane departure warning. This system occasionally struggles to read the lines.
In the city, this isn’t a problem. On highways or in traffic jams, the absence of active aids becomes noticeable. This may well be one of the major focus areas for a true future model if Dacia wishes to remain competitive against the next generation of affordable electrics.
Dacia Spring (2024)Driving: Still Urban, Now More Agile
The engine upgrade is a blessing. The 65 hp motor, already present in the previous version, makes a world of difference compared to the 45 hp. Acceleration is sharper, overtaking less stressful, and the driving experience overall more pleasant. The Spring remains slow in absolute terms (13.7 s from 0 to 100 km/h), but its responsiveness, especially in urban settings where low-speed agility is sufficient, is appreciated.
Ride comfort hasn’t changed: the suspension is stiff, the body rolls a bit, and the steering remains somewhat uninformative. However, the chassis is predictable and ultimately reassuring. On mixed routes, the Spring performs well as long as it isn’t pushed too hard.
The tires are still Linglong, and their grip on wet roads remains questionable during dynamic driving. It’s better to drive cautiously under such conditions.
The introduction of a more potent regenerative braking mode (the so-called B mode) is welcome. One-pedal driving isn’t an option, but this feature enhances driving comfort by reducing the need to use the brake pedal in flowing traffic.
Dacia Spring (2024)Range, Recharge, Consumption: The Lightweight Continues to Work Wonders
With its modest 26.8 kWh battery, one might assume the Spring’s range to be limited. Yet, it claims 225 km of autonomy on the WLTP cycle (up to 305 km in urban settings), and it easily achieves 200 km in real-world conditions. This is due to its lightweight, narrow tires, and optimized aerodynamics.
The charging speed remains slow: up to 30 kW on fast chargers (available with the 65 hp motor), which means about 45 minutes to go from 20% to 80%. Without this 500-euro option, you’re limited to slow AC charging at 7 kW. It takes about 4 hours to go from 20% to 100%. This is sufficient for a city car, but some competitors already offer much faster charging options.
The real novelty is the V2L (Vehicle to Load) bi-directional charging function that allows powering a 230 V appliance from the car. This is handy for camping, mobile teleworking, or charging an electric bike.
Dacia Spring (2024)Price and Competition: Prices on the Rise
This is where the Spring has much at stake. In France, the ecological bonus now excludes cars produced in China. As a result, there’s no public subsidy for the Spring, which starts at 16,900 euros excluding options with the less powerful 45 hp engine, which we do not recommend. The more appealing Extreme version starts at 19,900 euros.
Its competitors include the Citroën ë-C3, starting at 23,300 euros (soon less than 20,000 euros with the smaller battery) with the bonus deducted, offering a more powerful, more spacious, and better-equipped vehicle. The Leapmotor T03 (19,500 euros) becomes the most credible alternative alongside the Citroën. The upcoming electric R5, soon starting at 25,000 euros, is also worth mentioning. Although often larger, their overall offerings make them attractive options.
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.