• Interior is impressive for the price
• Top-spec models get a large touchscreen
• Not everything has been thought through…

How is the quality and layout?

The Dacia Spring is one of the cheapest new cars on sale. But you wouldn’t necessarily know it from looking at the interior. The general appearance and ambiance in the front of the top-spec Extreme is impressive, being very similar to that of the latest Dacia Duster.

There’s a modern, squared-off steering wheel with lots of simple and useful buttons on it, and behind that a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The Extreme includes a large central touchscreen, as well as various copper-coloured trim that looks suitably inviting. The white finishing inside the door pockets is useful and eye-catching (at least until it gets grubby), but we’re not so keen on the white top to the instruments, as this can reflect distractingly in the windscreen.

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Despite being largely constructed from hard plastic, it mostly feels sturdy and durable, rather than overly cheap. The general layout is good, with the air-conditioning included on all models controlled by physical buttons rather than a menu in the touchscreen. This is an ergonomic improvement over many far more expensive cars. In this respect, simplicity is best.

Infotainment and tech

A 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster is fitted to all versions. It’s not laden with many features and looks a bit under-designed, but works well enough and presents all the information you need clearly. Entry-level Expression cars do away with a main touchscreen but do come with integrated Bluetooth and DAB radio controlled through buttons on the steering wheel. There’s a proper clip available to mount your smartphone onto as well.

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On top-spec Extreme models you get a 10.0-inch touchscreen that works well, especially for a car of this low price. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included, which is again remarkable for the money. It’s worth using this if you can, as the built-in satellite navigation isn’t great and we had some issues with the radio reception while testing as well.

Comfort

• Fixed-height driving position
• No reach-adjustment for the steering wheel
• Seat bases are small and flat

Seating comfort is another low point for the Dacia Spring. Regardless of version there’s no height adjustment for the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel only has angle adjustment, rather than reach, meaning you’ll be lucky to find a driving position that doesn’t require some kind of compromise. A metaphor for the entire car, perhaps.

What’s more, not only is the driving position is a little offset, with the steering wheel and pedals not directly aligned, the seat bases are quite small and flat throughout the car. Meanwhile, the lack of sound deadening – to keep costs and weight down – results in a generally tinniness to the interior that’s emphasised by the cheap and flimsy feeling doors.

This is not a car for comfortable long-distance travel. But then, as a city runabout, nor is it intended to be.