New Dacia C-Neo hatchback to expand brand’s range of family cars

• Five-door hatchback bodystyle
• Expected to be petrol-powered
• To rival Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia

With the Spring EV arriving this year and the Bigster SUV well into development, Dacia is expanding its range of new cars in the UK – and the Dacia C-Neo is the latest model rumoured to be in the works.

Unlike the majority of family cars we’ve seen unveiled over the past 12 months, the C-Neo will not follow the SUV trend, leaving that role to the Bigster and the new Duster. Instead, it will arrive as a hatchback, similar in shape to the Skoda Octavia, with the opportunity for an estate model to follow.

While most details surrounding the C-Neo are still under wraps, our exclusive images provide an early suggestion of the new hatchback’s exterior design. We can expect further details to be released closer to its reveal date, estimated to be some time closer to 2026.

What do we know about the Dacia C-Neo?

Let’s start with the name. The project is known internally as the C-Neo, giving us a clear indication that this will be a new C-segment vehicle – think Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia size. In terms of Dacia’s current model lineup, the C-Neo would be larger than the Sandero hatchback and of a similar scale to the Jogger.

Unlike the seven-seater Jogger, the C-Neo will be designed for five passengers only, adopting an elongated hatchback bodystyle with a saloon-esque profile – much like the Skoda Octavia. This could bring big practicality benefits, with cars of this shape tending to have more boot space than typical hatchback rivals such as Volkswagen Golf. Like many C-segment vehicles, the door is open for an estate variant, too.

Externally, we expect Dacia to deploy its latest design language, with similar styling cues seen on the new Duster and the Bigster concept. Our exclusive images show the brand’s Y-shaped headlights and chunky wheelarch cladding that can be found across many of its models.

What engines will the Dacia C-Neo come with?

Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot confirmed that the brand is continuing with its plan to launch the new C-segment model using Renault’s CMF-B platform – the same platform that underpins the current Renault Clio, Captur and the Nissan Juke. 

As with those cars – and the majority of the Dacia range – the C-Neo won’t be offered as a fully electric model. The brand remains focused on offering customers efficient and affordable family cars, and it sees a combination of pure petrol and hybrid engines as the best way to achieve this. Currently, the platform can support engines ranging from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 109bhp up to the 1.6-litre full-hybrid engine with 138 bhp found in the Jogger.

How much will the Dacia C-Neo cost and when will it be available?

As we’re some time away from seeing a production-ready C-Neo, it’s hard to gauge accurate pricing, but it’s expected to offer Dacia’s typical value-for-money in its segment. A starting price similar to, or even slightly higher than the Jogger would be a good estimate.

Our conversation with Le Vot revealed that Dacia is still deciding whether the project will be seen through to production. With the new Duster and Bigster soon to be available, it remains to be seen whether another family car from Dacia would be financially viable. If the C-Neo does get the green light for production, showroom-ready models would probably arrive in 2026. 

Over the past decade, Dacia has established a strong presence in the UK, with sales exceeding 250,000 models. We imagine a Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia rival from the brand would find many buyers on our shores if it does indeed get the go-ahead.

Read our top 10 list of the best hatchbacks to see what the C-Neo would be up against...