Budget car brand Dacia have won a major award in the automotive market after being named ‘Family Car of the Year’ for their multi-functional Jogger.

Launched earlier this year, the seven-seater comes with a budget-brand price meaning that it is competing with superminis on cost, but providing big capacity value. Such is the flexibility of the Jogger, which brand new costs just £16k, that judges could not make their mind up on what category to place it in. But at the Auto Express New Car Awards this week, the judges decided to give it the ‘Family Car of the Year’ honour, its first recognition for what has been a runaway success.

Judges enjoyed the Jogger’s affordability, space, durability, generous levels of equipment and the fact that it was an enjoyable drive. Hinting at the car’s versatility, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, Steve Fowler said: “Is it an SUV? Is it an MPV? Is it an estate car? Amazingly, the Jogger is all of those things – and it’s also our Family Car of the Year. A full seven-seater that costs the same to buy and run as a supermini, the roomiest model from the value-focused brand is also robustly built, good to drive and packed with all the kit you’ll ever need. If you’re in the market for a great value family car then forget jogging – you need to sprint to your nearest dealer.”

Romanian brand Dacia pride themselves on their budget-beating simplicity and since being relaunched by the Renault Group in 2004 have sold more than 7.5 million vehicles, including 220,000 in the UK. Prior to the Jogger, the Duster SUV was the brand’s biggest hit and the company's Brand Manager for the UK and Ireland, Luke Broad was pleased to see the latest success receiving recognition.

He said: “There really is nothing else like the Dacia Jogger on the market, and I am proud that Auto Express has officially recognised it as the best family car on sale in the UK. With its abundance of space, robustness and rugged SUV style, the Jogger is perfectly designed for family adventures.”

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