The new Dacia model, praised by the British: “The perfect car for the family”, with a price below that of the competition. What attracted their attention to Dacia C-Neo – PHOTO

Dacia is preparing to take an important step on the European family car market. The company is preparing for 2026 the launch of a new model, called C-Neo, a station wagon model, which will respect Dacia's “excellent value for money”, writes the British publication Autoexpress.

The first Dacia C-Neo prototypes are already being tested, in preparation for the market launch. And the images, writes the British press, already show details of the vehicle called by the publication “the perfect car for the family”.

It has a 600-litre boot, and “the rear seat is foldable, so ideal for trips to IKEA or for transporting bulky luggage, complemented, of course, by the roof bars”, writes the British publication.

But the Dacia C-Neo is not a utility tank, the British write in the article praising the new Dacia model. It has a rounded roof, different from the Jogger's profile.

They also published more images of the new Dacia C-Neo model:

Dacia's push into the family car market steps up a gear in 2026 with a bargain-priced, rugged estate. Referred to internally as the Dacia C-Neo, the five-door wagon will slide into the range alongside the Bigster SUV and seven-seat Jogger…>> https://t.co/dpf2j9rbqZ pic.twitter.com/1m1P4hbgQO

— Auto Express (@AutoExpress) December 8, 2025

C-Neo will thus have a more fluid profile, a combination between a classic station wagon and a lifestyle car. However, it keeps some details and features of some Dacia models, such as the plastic protections, to avoid the price increase.

How much will the Dacia C-Neo cost?

The C-Neo is due to be officially launched in the spring of 2026, with sales expected in the fall.

“The C-Neo will remain true to Dacia's reliable and proven model of offering vehicles with excellent value for money, space and hybrid technology,” the publication also writes.

The model will have a starting price of around £20,000, below the price of its closest direct rival, the SEAT Leon, which starts at £26,000.

“We offer accessibility, regardless of size or need, this is Dacia's mission,” said Frank Marotte, vice president of sales and marketing for the British publication.

Marotte also said that Dacia has closely studied the mid-size car market, known as the C segment, to identify untapped demand.

“If we come up with something different in the C hatch or C-wagon segment, if it addresses a need created by other manufacturers that have moved away from customers, then we have to be there.”

Dacia C-Neo engine and technology

The C-Neo will also have the hybrid systems recently developed by Dacia for the Bigster and Jogger. But it won't be an electric car, like the Spring.

The C-Neo will be a hybrid, with a 1.8 liter petrol engine and two electric motors = one dedicated to urban driving and the other a generator/alternator.

There will also be alternative powertrains, such as the 1.2-liter TCe with 48V mild-hybrid assist.

The interior will take common elements from the Bigster and Jogger to keep costs under control. The dashboard design will thus be similar, with a simple steering wheel and control buttons, as well as a central 10-inch screen.

Dacia objective

The C-Neo model is part of a long-term goal of Dacia to sell one million vehicles a year, a huge jump from last year's volume of 676,340, writes AutoExpress.

The goal is for 20% of sales to come from the C segment, with higher prices driving revenue.