The cheapest Spring shows exactly where Dacia cut the cost
The cheapest Spring gives up the central screen, alloy wheels and faster charging. Dacia makes the savings visible, but rivals now offer more comfort for not much more money.
Dacia has done again what wins it both praise and criticism: it stripped the new Spring of almost everything it believes drivers can live without and kept the French price at 17,900 euros. Big screen? Use your phone. Alloy wheels? Not essential. Even faster charging is absent from the base version. That is not an accident; it is the entire idea behind the cheapest Spring.
The most obvious sacrifice is the central multimedia screen. The Spring Expression simply does not get the familiar 10.1-inch display. In its place sits a smartphone holder, so navigation and part of the multimedia experience effectively move to the phone. Drivers are not left with silence, though: Media Control includes radio, Bluetooth, two speakers, USB-C and steering-wheel controls.
The same rule applies outside: only what is necessary. Blanc Glacier white is included in the price, while any other paint costs an extra 550 euros. Instead of alloy wheels there are 15-inch Mura steel wheels with decorative covers. Inside, there is straightforward cloth upholstery. No attempt to fake premium trim when the main goal is to save money.
Even extra luggage space fell under the knife. The 18-liter front compartment, or frunk, would be perfect for a charging cable, but it is not standard. In France it costs another 150 euros. A small detail? Dacia builds its low entry price from details exactly like these.
The charging story is even more revealing. Spring Expression comes as standard with a 6.6 kW AC onboard charger. Want 11 kW AC charging and access to DC fast chargers at up to 50 kW? That Pack Charge Rapide is offered on the more expensive Journey version. In other words, you cannot turn the base Expression into a fast-charging EV by ticking one option box.
So what is the result? Dacia saved money on multimedia, wheels, trim, extra luggage space and charging capability. It sounds harsh, but that approach keeps the new Spring below 18,000 euros at entry level. Buyers can literally see where the lower price comes from.
But this formula now has dangerous rivals. In France, the Renault Twingo E-Tech Evolution starts at 19,490 euros before incentives and already includes a central 10-inch screen. The BYD Dolphin Surf costs more, from 23,990 euros on the official French price list, but its equipment is clearly richer, including a 10.1-inch rotating display. The question is now tougher: how many familiar features is a buyer really willing to give up for the lowest possible price?