Dacia Bigster vs Skoda Kodiaq: Family SUVs compared – which performs better in our tests?

When we drove the Skoda Kodiaq and Dacia Bigster for our in-depth review, it became clear that while they cater to broadly similar buyers, these cars go about family practicality in quite different ways. The Bigster has a rugged charm and offers acres of space for the money, while the Kodiaq is more focussed on comfort and technology.

First impressions and design

The Bigster’s robust, angular bodywork immediately caught our eye, and it looks more premium and mature than previous Dacia models. During our first drive of the Bigster, we got the feeling that it’s been built with families in mind. It’s durable and practical, and it;s not designed to be flashy.

Our car expert Mat Watson also rates the Dacia Bigster, saying: “The Dacia Bigster is priced closer to used alternatives or much smaller cars – making it absolutely cracking value”

By comparison, the Kodiaq looks more elegant and sophisticated. It’s still not as stylish as a Peugeot 5008, but it has a posher vibe than the rufty-tufty Bigster. To drive, the Kodiaq is a bit smoother and more refined than the Bigster, however this is to be expected in a car which costs more.

Speaking on the Kodiaq, Mat said: “The Kodiaq is a good all-round spacious family car, it’s just a shame it’s a little bit cramped in the third row.”

Interior and everyday usability

The Bigster has a simple and robust dashboard using materials which, while not especially posh, feel hard-wearing and durable. You get the sense that this car could cope with anything your rowdy kids could throw at it.

It’s really spacious as well, with acres of rear seat room and a huge 677-litre boot. That’s still some way off the Kodiaq though, because that car has a whopping 910 litres of space.

And the Kodiaq is also available with seven seats, something you can’t get with the Bigster. The Skoda also feels more plush inside, with soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door tops. We also liked the “Smart Dials” when we tested the car, which are three knobs that can change their function when you push them, allowing you to control things like temperature, media volume and the heated seats.

Driving impressions

On the road, the Dacia Bigster has a refreshingly honest character. It may be cheap, but it’s still comfortable over bumps and quiet on the motorway. You can also get a four-wheel drive version if you need to head off the beaten track, and the excellent visibility means you can easily place the car down any narrow track – or a tight urban street.

Being the more expensive car, the Kodiaq does feel more refined. It’s slightly quieter at speed, smoother over bumps and it also feels a tad sportier in the bends. It’s not a thrill ride, but the steering does feel a bit more direct.

Engines and fuel consumption

These two cars have a very different engine lineup. The Bigster is available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 140hp, or there’s a four-wheel drive model with 130hp. Both of these cars have a six-speed manual gearbox, and if you want an automatic then you’ll have to go for the 1.8-litre hybrid.

With 155hp on tap, the hybrid feels spritely enough and the transition between petrol and electric power is pretty seamless. It’s also the most economical model, returning up to 58mpg.

The Kodiaq range kicks off with a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 150hp, and you can also get a 150hp 2.0-litre diesel. There’s also a pair of four-wheel drive models on offer: a 2.0-litre petrol with 204hp and a 2.0-litre diesel with 193hp.

There’s no self-charging hybrid like you can get in the Bigster, but the Kodiaq is offered with a plug-in hybrid engine. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor, producing a combined 204hp and with up to 74 miles of electric-only range.

Sitting at the top of the tree is the sporty vRS, which has the same 2.0-litre petrol engine as a Volkswagen Golf R. It has 265hp and four-wheel drive, but ultimately isn’t fun or fast enough to justify the extra cash.

We’d go for the 150hp diesel model, because it’s punchy enough and will return up to 53mpg. Not as much as the hybrid Duster, but still not bad for a big SUV.

Prices and conclusion

One thing the Bigster really has in its favour is price, because at just over £25,000 it’s a whopping £14,000 cheaper than a Skoda Kodiaq.

What really matters though is the price you pay at the dealer, and right now through Carwow you can pick up a Kodiaq for £35,600*. The Bigster is available through Carwow for £24,200*, meaning it’s still significantly cheaper.

You get quite a lot of kit in the Dacia as well. All cars come with a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and a 360-degree camera. We’d step up to the mid-spec Journey model to add features like a heated steering wheel, power tailgate and a digital driver’s display. Through Carwow, it’s only an extra £1,500 to upgrade.

The Kodiaq also comes with plenty of standard features. You get heated front seats, keyless entry, a digital driver’s display, blind spot monitoring and all-round parking sensors. The standard car is well-specced, but for an extra £3,000 or so you can get the SE L which comes with part-leather seats, matrix LED headlights and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

In conclusion

Winner: Dacia Bigster: The Bigster’s bargain price tag simply cannot be ignored here. £25,000 is an insane price for a car this spacious and well-equipped, and we also really enjoyed driving it. It’s not as plush as the Skoda, but that’s easy to forgive when you’ve got an additional £14,000 in your pocket.
Runner up: Skoda Kodiaq: The Kodiaq is still an excellent option if you’re after a family SUV, and if you want seven seats then this is the car to buy. It’s comfortable, well-made and easy to live with thanks to the gigantic boot.

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