DACIA HIPSTER NAMED ‘DESIGN OF THE YEAR’ AT THE 2026 TOPGEAR.COM AWARDS

• Dacia Hipster Concept wins TopGear.com’s ‘Design of the Year’, beating a host of standout new models from across the industry
• The award recognises Hipster’s refreshingly simple, functional and distinctive design approach
• Honour arrives just weeks after its global reveal, underlining the impact of Dacia’s vision for essential electric mobility

The recently revealed Dacia Hipster Concept has been named ‘Design of the Year’ at the 2026 TopGear.com Awards, beating a field of striking supercars and bold upmarket SUVs to take home one of the night’s most coveted honours.

Announced at a ceremony in London last night (25 November), the award recognises the Hipster’s distinctive, functional and refreshingly honest approach to design. The win is particularly notable given that the Hipster was revealed to the public only a few weeks ago, yet has already made a major impact with its simple and essential vision for electric mobility.

Jason Barlow, Editor-At-Large, TopGear.com, said: “The Hipster addresses a significant issue: even cheap electric cars are still too expensive to work as mass mobility solutions. So, this award isn't just because we love the way it looks, it's because it represents a shift in priorities. The interior is basic without being monastic, the size unlocks a virtuous circle of weight saving and the range is small but all you need around town.”

The Dacia Hipster Concept embodies the brand’s belief that great design doesn’t have to be complicated. At just three metres long, it combines real usability – four proper seats, a flexible boot and lightweight construction – with strong, instantly recognisable proportions. It’s a car designed to be practical, affordable and relevant to real life, rather than an exercise in excess.

From its simple horizontal front end and strap-style door handles to its recyclable Starkle^® body protection, every detail of the Hipster serves a purpose. Inside, the emphasis continues on smart thinking and space efficiency, with vertical glazing, a bench-style front seat and Dacia’s ‘Bring Your Own Device’ philosophy keeping the car connected and cost-effective.

David Durand, Dacia Design Director, said: “Hipster has won against some seriously cool and beautifully designed cars this year, which makes this recognition even more meaningful. It shows that simplicity and honesty still have the power to stand out. Hipster proves that good design isn’t about adding more. It’s about focusing on what really matters to real people.”

The Dacia Hipster Concept represents the next step in the brand’s mission to make electric mobility accessible to all. With its compact footprint, clever packaging and minimal environmental impact, it offers a genuine alternative to the ever-larger, ever-heavier cars that dominate today’s roads.

ENDS

ABOUT DACIA:
Born in 1968, then relaunched by Renault Group from 2004 across Europe and Mediterranean countries, Dacia has always offered the best value for money cars by constantly redefining the essentials. 

As a game-changer, Dacia proposes simple, multi-purpose, reliable cars in tune with customers’ lifestyles. Dacia models have become a reference on the market, including Sandero, the best-selling retail car in Europe each year since 2017 and the best-selling car in Europe in 2024, full stop; Duster, the best-selling SUV to European private customers since 2018 and the 2^nd most sold car to customers in 2024; Jogger, the C-segment versatile family car; Spring, the UK’s most affordable electric car; and Bigster, offering buyers of larger, family-friendly cars the robust, well-equipped, great value for money that they have been longing for.

Present in 44 countries, Dacia has sold more than 9 million vehicles since 2004. Dacia launched in the UK in January 2013 and enjoyed the most successful start ever for a new car brand in the UK. More than 260,000 Dacia vehicles have been sold in the UK to date.

For further information please visit www.press.dacia.co.uk or @DaciaUKPress or contact:

Charlie Roper
Dacia PR & Communications Manager
charlie.roper@dacia.com

Jim Holder
Renault Group UK Communications Director
jim.holder@renault.co.uk