Can the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV worry the Dacia Bigster?

In a category of compact crossovers generally demanding around € 38,000 at the entrance, Dacia has just thrown a pavement in the pond by offering from € 24,990 a model lengthening over 4.57 m. If it is obviously the best price/habitability ratio on the market, it must also be recognized that its level of motorization, as well as its endowment in equipment is not unworthy. Indeed, the Bigster enjoys the entry of the game of a comfortable MILD-HYBRID mechanics of 140 hp, while its essential finish benefits from a standard of digital screens, 17 “alloy rims, from electric and disgusting exterior mirrors, four electric windows, manual air conditioning, or even a reculsion camera.

An ultra-competitive bigster

Despite all of Citroën’s goodwill to offer a panel of so -called “essential” vehicles for a few years, thanks to very competitive prices, the new C5 Aircross will be unable to compete with the entry level of the Dacia Bigster. The rafters leave the care at C3 Aircross to compete with both the Duster (4.34 m) and the Bigster (4.57 m) via an intermediate template of 4.39 m, especially since it can benefit as an option from two additional seats to cumulate 7 places. A functionality of which the Romanian duo unfortunately cannot claim.

A C5 Aircross Higher on the Techno level

To honorably oppose the Bigster, in terms of habitability, the new Citroën C5 Aircross appears much better Loti, it which lengthens on 4.65 m. But at a time when the rafters still keep the prices of their new machine secret, how to imagine it for a moment to offer competitive prices against the Dacia giant? Indeed, unlike the C3 Aircross whose relative rusticity of its platform allows low prices, this big brother is based on the state-of-the-art base of the Peugeot 3008, 5008, DS n ° 8 and Opel Grandland, while waiting to welcome the future Jeep Compass. A family of SUV C and D whose slightest version claims € 37,000, at least (Opel). Even by cutting off on the quality of certain materials (hard plastics, etc.) the Citroën C5 Aircross will hardly be able to offer an entry -level below the € 35,000.

A few thousand compressible euros?

However, the Frenchman did not say his last word in his quest to shade the career of the Dacia Bigster. On the one hand because, historically, the French market sells high mixes. Understand that the customers opt mainly for high finishes in order to benefit from plethoric equipment. And in this little game, the Romanian flirts with the € 32,000 (€ 31,700 more precisely) in extreme finish or Journey, equipped with the full-hybrid block of 155 hp. It is always more than 3,000 € lower than the basic price expected by its competitor of the rafters, but in concession, the invoice could rebalance. Indeed, in Dacia, the negotiation margins are generally low, not to say zero. Unlike the more inclined historical brands to give discounts to their customers. Consequently, by imagining the facial price of the entry-level C5 Aircross (around 35,000 €) to lighten 6 to 8%, it could dangerously get closer to the high-end Bigster. At this rate, what will we be entitled to hope on both sides?

Dacia better motorized

On the Citroën side, it is impossible to compete with full-hybrid technology of 155 hp devolved to the Dacia. We will have to be satisfied with a less sophisticated hybridization (MILD-HYBRID 48V) deploying only 145 hp. Conversely, the C5 Aircross enjoys better habitability, having regard to the generosity of its size (+ 8 cm long) and a more flattering and comfortable interior presentation (Advanced Comfort seats). However, it is more difficult to project yourself in terms of equipment, Citroën having not yet revealed the extent of its range. But we already know that the immense tactile central slab, called “cascade”, of 13 “will be in the game, like the hydraulic stop suspensions, wages of a very high filtration. Conversely, the entry ticket of the C5 Aircross is not guaranteed to benefit from certain equipment offered as standard with high finishes of the Bigster. In the Journey finish), or even the 18 ”diamond alloy rims and panoramic sunroof on the extreme version.

To your calculates!

In short, when lifting the sail on the price grid of the new Citroën C5 Aircross, planned in the coming weeks, it will be a question of weighing the pros and cons, using its calculator, but also of confronting the commercial offers of each network to find out if the game is worth the candle compared to an unbeatable Dacia Bigster. Auto-Moto will not fail to study the question, when the time comes.

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