Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp

Overview

Say hello to the Dacia Spring Electric 45 hp, a super-compact city slicker that, if it ever landed Stateside, would likely be the most affordable new EV by a country mile! This tiny titan is all about no-frills, essential electric mobility. The 45 hp trim focuses on getting you from A to B efficiently and cheaply. While not officially sold in the US, its European price suggests a hypothetical sub-$20,000 tag here, making it a tantalizing prospect for budget-conscious urbanites. It's basic, but that's precisely its charm!

What's New for 2025?

The 2025 Dacia Spring (reflecting its major 2024 refresh) gets a serious glow-up! It rocks Dacia's tough new design language, looking like a mini-Duster. Inside, the cabin materials are upgraded, and all versions now sport a slick 7-inch digital instrument cluster. For the US market, if it arrived, these changes would make it feel much more contemporary. Crucially, more driver assistance systems are now standard to meet new European safety regs, which is a big win for such an affordable EV. Plus, nifty Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability is now available.

Design & Exterior

This ain't your grandma's econobox! The 2025 Spring 45 hp boasts a surprisingly rugged, almost SUV-like charm, with Dacia's new Y-shaped LED daytime running lights and a more assertive front end. Dimensions are city-perfect: 145.7 inches long, a slim 62.3 inches wide, and 59.8 inches tall. The 45 hp trim keeps it real with practical wheel covers over steel wheels, emphasizing its budget-friendly mission. It’s small, it’s boxy, and it’s got more character than a car this cheap has any right to!

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Spring 45 hp, and you'll find a massively improved, modern dash layout with better-than-before plastics. It seats four, and while cozy, it's perfectly fine for city jaunts. Cargo? You get 10.9 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a useful 35.5 cubic feet with seats folded. No frunk here, though! Tech-wise, a 7-inch digital driver's display is standard. The 45 hp trim likely features Dacia's 'Media Control' system, cleverly using your smartphone via a dedicated app and mount as the main infotainment hub.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Spring 45 hp is all about urban agility, not outright speed. Its 33 kW (around 44 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers 92 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Nought to 60 mph? A very relaxed 18.5 seconds – perfect for navigating city traffic, not for winning drag races. Expect light steering, a softish ride ideal for bumpy city streets, and a laughably small turning circle making parking a breeze. Regenerative braking helps you claw back some precious range with every lift of the throttle.

Range, Battery & Charging

Packing a 26.8 kWh usable battery, Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range of 119 miles for the Spring 45 hp – plenty for daily commutes and errands, achieving an efficient 4.44 mi/kWh. For charging, the standard 7 kW AC on-board charger will juice it up fully in about 4-5 hours. DC fast charging on its 400V system maxes out at 30 kW, getting you from 20-80% in around 45-50 minutes. If sold in the US, it would likely use a CCS Type 1 port instead of its European Type 2.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While US NHTSA ratings are unavailable as it's not sold here, the 2025 Spring has been updated to meet stricter European GSR2 safety standards, a significant improvement. The previous model had a low Euro NCAP score, but this refresh brings a suite of now-standard driver aids. Expect features like Advanced Emergency Braking, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and driver drowsiness alert, making it a safer bet for city driving than ever before, even on this entry-level 45 hp trim.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

If Dacia brought the Spring to the US, warranty terms would be speculative. However, in Europe, it typically gets a 3-year/60,000-mile basic vehicle warranty and an 8-year/75,000-mile battery warranty (covering degradation to 70% capacity). Maintenance should be dirt cheap – it's a simple EV, so think minimal running costs beyond tires and wiper fluid. Its straightforward tech and electric powertrain promise generally good reliability for budget-focused buyers who prioritize low-cost motoring above all else.