Dacia is launching a new crossover to take on popular family cars such as the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Octavia.

The Striker, named to convey the idea of 'making a strike' or 'hitting the target', expands Dacia's growing line-up of affordable models.

The Romanian value-led carmaker says the car retains 'Dacia DNA' - a rugged tool that is also stylish enough to appeal to leisure users and environmentally conscious buyers.

The Striker will 'combine the high driving position and outdoor capabilities of an SUV, the versatility and convenience of an estate, and the efficiency and performance of a saloon', the company says.

Dacia is on a crusade to build its reputation in the family car sector, having largely started out selling affordable small cars such as the Sandero. It is aiming to increase its sales in the competitive C-segment from 20 per cent to 33 per cent by 2030, with the Striker leading the charge.

Exact pricing has yet to be confirmed, but Dacia says it will start at less than £25,000.

What will the Dacia Striker look like?

Dacia wants the Striker to look different to its SUVs and to other crossovers, and so it leans towards an estate in appearance - albeit a raised one.

The horizontal flowing body lines are 'inspired by the elegant forms of saloon cars' and the raked windscreen, elongated roofline and rear window also aspire to be estate-like.

The taut, contoured shoulder line, raised ground clearance, and strong lower proportions reflect the SUV-side of the crossover - as do the gloss black grille, and integrated roof bars.

At 4.62 metres long, it should have plenty of cabin space and luggage room. It too should feel airy inside thanks to its 1.53 metre height, which sits between a traditional saloon car and a fully-fledged SUV. 

Available in seven colours, you'll be able to get your Striker in two new shades: Frost Green and Cosmic Blue.

What's the Dacia Striker like inside?

There are four Striker trims - more on those later - and all share the same new cockpit concept.

The Striker's dashboard continues the car's exterior theme inside, with a distinctive horizontal layout intended to create a sense of space and wraparound comfort. It also features an intuitive three-tier structure designed for maximum functionality.

Level One is closest to occupants and focuses on comfort and perceived quality. It is predominantly made of textiles, along with sections of Starkle - a scratch-resistant plastic developed for the Dacia Duster - which wrap around the dashboard.

This material has never been used inside a Dacia before and forms part of the brand's 'Eco-Smart' approach.

Level Two is more functional and structured, grouping together the most frequently used controls. These controls, much to the delight of analogue enthusiasts, are physical and designed to be operated intuitively so the driver's attention remains on the road.

Level Three is set further back and houses the interface and display features, including a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, which is standard across the range and comes with either Media Display or Media Nav Live, depending on trim level.

Media Nav Live uses connected navigation with real-time traffic information and map updates.

Other interior features are designed to make everyday life easier.

These include a cable channel running from the storage compartment opposite the passenger seat to the centre console, helping to keep cables neatly concealed. There is also an ice scraper discreetly integrated into the dashboard and a 6.7-litre armrest compartment, which can be fitted with a sliding drawer.

Three new family-friendly features include a water-bottle holder, a blanket that doubles as a child's play mat, and a multi-purpose net that can be used to carry objects or fitted between the front seats.

The Striker comes with a 600-litre boot, which can be divided into three sections to separate loads and keep items secure.

Striker's space, practicality and eco features

Capable of carrying five people and their luggage, the Striker has a 600-litre boot and Easy Trunk Opening - Dacia's new automatic tailgate function.

The boot can be divided into three sections (standard on Extreme and Journey trims), allowing owners to separate loads and keep items secure.

It can also be arranged across two levels, with the upper level creating a concealed storage area beneath and a flat load surface when the rear seats are folded. All three sections are reversible.

Dacia has doubled down on sustainable materials, with the Striker containing more than 32 per cent recycled and circular-economy-sourced materials, ranging from recycled plastics to recycled rubber.

Another feature that will make the Striker feel more spacious is the panoramic glass roof, which uses advanced thermal and acoustic glazing to keep the cabin bright, quiet and comfortable on long journeys.

Striker trims and powertrains

The Dacia Striker is available with a choice of efficient, advanced electrified powertrains.

The four-wheel-drive Striker Hybrid 155 combines a 109hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery.

Dacia says the combination of regenerative braking, the battery's high energy-recovery capacity and the efficiency of the automatic gearbox means the Striker can operate in all-electric mode for up to 80 per cent of the time in urban driving.

There are five driving modes, including Off-Road and Sand, while the Striker also comes with Hill Descent Control.

There are four trim levels: Essential, Expression, Extreme and Journey.

Essential offers all the essentials, from the 10.1-inch central touchscreen to rear parking sensors.

Expression adds a range of useful features, including an electric parking brake and additional USB ports.

Extreme is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and features Copper Brown exterior and interior accents, a panoramic sunroof, washable Microcloud synthetic TEP upholstery, rubber floor and boot mats, a 10-inch digital instrument panel and hill descent control.

Journey adds more premium features for longer-distance driving, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Media Nav Live, wireless smartphone charging and an automatic power tailgate.

When is it available?

The Striker is expected to go on sale in early 2027 after being revealed in March this year.

At around £25,000, it's likely to be the cheapest model of its size and in its segment when UK deliveries begin.