Ian Lamming opts for the twisty way home in Dacia’s brand new Jogger
THIS is a run to remember and ironically I’m in a Jogger.
There are commutes and there are commutes and while I’ve been at work in the city and am on my way back home, this is no ordinary commute.
The 94 miles from urban sprawl to country residence, on this occasion, takes in Northumberland and Cumbria, along roads devoid of traffic because everyone is home having their teas.
Travelling east to west has the added benefit of chasing the sun and as it sets on a Lakeland mountainscape I’m actually euphoric at what I behold, life made even better as a deer floats across the road and clears a fence.
At moments like these you would imagine the car would be everything, a sporty badge with a premier price tag, perhaps. But no, not this time, and I could not care less.
My chariot is a new model from Dacia, the Jogger, and it serves me well on the way to the city, the seven seater carrier munching the motorway miles with aplomb. It also handles the city brilliantly, though a temporary traffic system does flummox its excellent satnav at one point. Parking is a breeze too and despite being a long vehicle it slots nicely into a tight urban setting thanks to excellent visibility, a rear camera and front and rear sensors.
But the drive home is the most surprising of all as it tackles switchbacks serenely, rides the bumps with composure and storms the mountain passes with ease.
Jogger proves to be an excellent runner in all situations and what makes that most surprising is that its engine is just 999cc, donated generously by parent company Renault. TCe110, as they call it, has always been an excellent powerplant. With just three cylinders on board it’s a rorty little motor offering performance way beyond expectations and on this autumn evening it is a revelation.
It picks up speed quickly, has a healthy mid-range and decent high speed cruising ability and returns close to 50mpg – what more could you ask? That’s turbos for you.
Jogger gets the new, smarter Dacia corporate look with family grille, signature LEDs and with black wheels, grey skid plates, dark windows, modular roof bars and excellent proportions really looks the part. The interior trim is good too and it is well equipped with three rows of comfortable seats, heated in the front, touchscreen infotainment and cruise control. Keyless entry is great especially when your hands are full. Walk up to the car and it unlocks, walk away and it locks up all safe and sound.
There aren’t that many seven seaters around at the moment and Jogger would make the ideal companion for lugging around multi-generational families.
The most ridiculous thing of all isn’t that I’m having another seminal driving moment after years of motoring. No, it must surely be the price – just £18,745. Like I said, this commute in a Jogger is certainly a run to remember.
Fact File
Dacia Jogger TCe110
Engine: 999cc turbo petrol
Power: 109HP
0-62mph: 11.2 secs
Top speed: 114mph
Combined MPG: 48.7
Transmission: six-speed manual
CO2 g/km: 130
Price: from£18,745.00
