Dacia Hybrid-G 150 4x4. Triple power to take it to the next level with electric four-wheel drive

The Dacia recipe evolves and aims to bring a breath of fresh air to the SUV market. With the debut of the Hybrid G 150 4×4 technology, the Duster and Bigster models usher in the 'tri-fuel' era, a concept that goes beyond mere economy. Here we are not just talking about the tried-and-tested pairing of petrol and liquefied petroleum gas, but the grafting of a mild-hybrid component that transforms the driving experience. In real-life use, this threefold nature translates into total versatility: perfect for untangling daily duties in the city, ideal for long journeys with the whole family and incredibly prone to adventure when the asphalt runs out.

How it goes on the road and off-road: the thrust of the electric

The real added value of this mechanical scheme can be felt as soon as you press the start button. During our test with the Dacia Duster, both on motorway stretches and along rough tracks, the contribution of the electric unit proved constant and, above all, tangible. The off-road mode is activated by setting the knob to the 'Lock' position, which keeps the rear engine running continuously, using the first gear of the corresponding gearbox. Importantly, the name 'Lock' does not indicate a differential lock, so this mode can also be used on tarmac. In restarts and at low speeds, the cue is immediate and the progression is also smooth, free of jerks, a panacea when you find yourself bottled up in city traffic or when you need precision in the slower passages of the more technical off-road. Making everything even more balanced are the automatic transmission and the electronic management of the all-wheel drive, capable of tailoring the car's ideal dynamic behaviour for every surface.

Wallet safe and gas station stops forgotten

If the smoothness of the ride is convincing, the running costs are no less so, thanks above all to the LPG, which confirms itself as the number one ally for those who want to travel without wallet anxiety. The real strength of this SUV that is also good off-road, however, is its range: thanks to the presence of two tanks of 50 litres each and average consumption of between 6.0 and 7.3 l/100 km, the car promises a good 1,517 km with a full tank (petrol and LPG). However, there is a compromise to be made: the integration of hybrid technology and four-wheel drive robs the load compartment of space, reducing the boot capacity from the 439 litres of the two-wheel drive version (Eco-G 120 automatic) to just 348 litres.