► We live with a Dacia Jogger Hybrid
► This month: it nails the basics
► Read month 4 here
The Jogger is the Occam’s razor of modern motoring: the simple solution that proves to be the best. Approach the car, key in pocket, and the Jogger unlocks without fail at the exact moment you reach for the handle.
Walk away and just as you glance back it reassuringly locks itself again. To open the boot you pull on the handle and – prepare yourselves – actually lift it, and to close it you give it a good old slam.
Inside is a clear but unobtrusive touchscreen. When you slot your phone into the standard phone holder, CarPlay boots up instantly. Because it’s wired it just works and doesn’t ever lose your connection.
A simple start button brings the dash to life, and you can clearly see your charge, your fuel, your gear and a confident message in green that says ‘READY’.
On the move there’s a reversing camera and beeping but no self-parking. There’s cruise control but not adaptive and definitely not lane-keeping. here are buttons – actual buttons – and not a haptic or touch control in sight (bar the aforementioned screen).
There’s climate control but one zone covers the whole car. There are heated seats and my backside is warm. There’s just enough and never too much.
Perfect.
Logbook: Dacia Jogger Extreme TCe 140 Hybrid (Month 5)
Price £24,645 (£25,295 as tested)
Performance 1598cc four-cylinder, 140bhp, 10.0sec 0-62mph, 103mph
Efficiency 57.6mpg (official), 50.3mpg (tested), 109g/km CO2
Energy cost 13.8p per mile
Miles this month 934
Total miles 6857