Dacia Bigster AWD or similar | Manual | 4×4

_{^{Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team}}

The Dacia Bigster AWD is a budget-friendly manual 4×4 SUV available across all Hertz Iceland locations on an “or similar” basis — you’ll receive this model or a comparable vehicle in the same class. Unlike the BMW luxury fleet, the Bigster is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks (summer only, subject to official road opening). Minimum rental age is 23.

Dacia Bigster AWD Rental in Iceland: Budget 4×4 SUV Guide

The Dacia Bigster AWD is the newest addition to the Hertz Iceland fleet — a spacious, rugged, and budget-conscious 4×4 SUV built for travellers who want genuine off-the-beaten-path capability without a premium price tag. As the larger sibling of the popular Dacia Duster, the Bigster brings a class-leading 629-litre boot, best-in-class rear legroom, and F-road access into a 4×4 category that punches well above its rental price. For families, groups, and highland adventurers planning summer routes into the Icelandic interior, it’s one of the most practical choices in the fleet.

Is the Dacia Bigster AWD Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — and it’s one of the few rental vehicles in Iceland permitted on F-roads. The Bigster AWD is built specifically for the kind of varied terrain Iceland offers, from smooth Ring Road tarmac to rough highland gravel tracks.

• Real-World Space: At 629 litres, the boot is one of the largest in its class — comfortably fitting 3 large hard-shell suitcases with room to spare. The 40:20:40 split rear seats fold via boot-mounted levers, creating a flat, expansive load area for camping gear, photography equipment, or bulky winter clothing.
• F-Road Capability: The AWD system includes selectable terrain modes (Auto, Eco, Snow, Mud/Sand, Lock) and hill descent control — purpose-built for Iceland’s highland tracks, river crossings, and loose gravel surfaces.
• Performance: 130hp and 6-speed manual transmission deliver confident, unhurried progress on Iceland’s roads. The 22cm ground clearance handles highland track obstacles comfortably. 0–100 km/h in 11.2 seconds — this is a practical, capable 4×4, not a performance car.
• Cabin Comfort: Best-in-class headroom and rear legroom make long driving days significantly more comfortable than the smaller Dacia Duster. Dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, and a 10-inch infotainment screen are standard.
• Safety Tech: Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition all standard. For a full guide to driving safely in Iceland’s conditions, see safe.hertz.is.

When Is the Dacia Bigster AWD the Right Choice?

• Summer (May–September): The prime season — F-roads and Highland routes including Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk open only in summer. This is when the Bigster’s AWD capability pays off most.
• Winter (October–April): Well suited to the Ring Road and main paved routes with winter tyres fitted. Stay on cleared main roads — F-roads are closed in winter and the Bigster is not permitted on them out of season.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

• You want a guaranteed specific model — the Bigster is booked “or similar”, meaning a comparable AWD 4×4 may be provided if unavailable.
• You prefer an automatic transmission — the AWD Bigster is manual only. For an automatic 4×4, consider the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Automatic 4×4 or Land Rover Defender 4WD Automatic
• You need luxury cabin appointments — the Bigster is rugged and practical, not premium. For a premium 4×4 experience, see the Luxury Fleet.

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 23 years old.
• License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. An International Driving Permit (IDP) / International Driving License (IDL) is required if your national driving license is not in Roman script.
• Payment: Valid credit card under main renter’s name is required.
• F-Road Policy: PERMITTED (summer only). Always check road.is for current road status and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide to confirm this vehicle’s F-road eligibility before entering Highland areas.

Inside the Dacia Bigster

The Dacia Bigster doesn’t try to be a luxury SUV — and that’s exactly the point. Step inside and you find a cabin designed around practicality, space, and rugged utility, with enough comfort to make multi-day Iceland road trips genuinely enjoyable rather than merely bearable.

Headroom is class-leading at both front and rear — tall passengers will notice the difference immediately compared to most rivals. Rear legroom is equally generous, making the Bigster a real five-person vehicle rather than a nominal one. Dual-zone climate control keeps the cabin at the right temperature on Iceland’s unpredictable weather days, while rear air vents ensure passengers in the back stay as comfortable as those in front.

The 10-inch Media Nav infotainment screen handles navigation, and the Bigster’s robust interior materials — including rubberised surfaces and easy-clean finishes — are a practical choice for vehicles that will see highland tracks, mud, and wet gear loaded in and out over the course of a week. This is a cabin built for Iceland’s reality, not a showroom.

At the back, the 629-litre boot opens wide, the adjustable floor gives you underfloor storage flexibility, and the 40:20:40 split seats fold easily from the boot. For highland camping trips, long Ring Road loops with camera equipment, or families travelling with proper luggage, the Bigster simply carries more than almost anything else at this price point.

Dacia Bigster Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

The Dacia Bigster belongs to the mid-size SUV class — larger than the Duster, comparable in footprint to a Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson, but with a significantly larger boot than either.

The Bigster’s 629-litre boot comfortably fits 3 large hard-shell suitcases, easily beating most competitors in its class. The 40:20:40 split folding rear seats and flat load floor make it exceptionally flexible for Iceland road trip packing — camping gear, photography kit, and bulky cold-weather clothing all fit without compromise.

Why Rent a Dacia Bigster AWD in Iceland with Hertz Iceland?

• Choosing Hertz Iceland means renting from a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
• Or Similar Guarantee: The Dacia Bigster is booked by class — if this exact model is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable AWD manual 4×4 in the same category. You are never downgraded in class.
• Safety First: Every vehicle is equipped with season-appropriate tyres (studded in winter if needed) and backed by 24/7 emergency phone assistance across the entire island. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Newest Fleet: All Hertz Iceland vehicles are under two years old — including the Bigster, which is the newest model in this category.
• Convenience: Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations.

Hertz Iceland: Locally Operated Since 1971

As Iceland’s premier local experts for over 55 years, we combine international standards with deep-rooted knowledge of Icelandic terrain. Rent with the authority that knows every F-road and weather pattern since 1971.

History of Dacia

Dacia is a Romanian car manufacturer founded in 1966, originally producing vehicles under licence from Renault. After Renault acquired a majority stake in 1999, Dacia was relaunched with a clear and deliberate mission: build reliable, no-nonsense vehicles at prices that genuinely undercut the mainstream market — not by cutting corners on engineering, but by stripping out everything that wasn’t essential.

The formula worked. The Dacia Duster, launched in 2010, became one of Europe’s best-selling SUVs, built specifically on the premise that a capable 4×4 didn’t need to cost a luxury premium. The Bigster, launched in 2025, extends that philosophy into a larger footprint — more space, the same pragmatic value, and the same go-anywhere capability that made the Duster a staple of Iceland rental fleets.

Renting a Dacia Bigster with Hertz Iceland means choosing a vehicle designed from the ground up to be used hard, packed full, and driven into terrain that would make many premium SUVs reconsider.

Rental Locations

The Dacia Bigster AWD is available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations:

Important: Iceland Road Tax (2026)

Dacia Bigster AWD Iceland rental car FAQ

• • Can I reserve this exact model?
    The Dacia Bigster AWD is rented on an “or similar” basis — reservations are made by category, not by specific model. If the Bigster is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable AWD manual 4×4 of similar size and capability. You are never downgraded in class. If you need a guaranteed specific model, see our Guaranteed Model options including the BMW X3, BMW X5, Toyota Land Cruiser 250, Range Rover Sport PHEV, and Land Rover Defender 130.

• • Can I drive the Dacia Bigster AWD on F-roads?
    Yes — in summer only. The Dacia Bigster AWD is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks including the routes to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. F-roads are closed in winter and during periods of poor conditions. Always check road.is for current road status and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide to confirm vehicle eligibility before setting off.

• • How much luggage fits in the Dacia Bigster?
    The Dacia Bigster AWD has 629 litres of boot space with all five seats in use — one of the largest in its class. This comfortably fits 3 large hard-shell suitcases with room to spare. With the rear seats folded flat, capacity expands to 1,977 litres, easily accommodating camping gear, hiking equipment, or oversized luggage for multi-day highland trips.

• • What’s the difference between the Dacia Bigster and the Dacia Duster?
    Both are budget AWD manual 4×4s permitted on F-roads. The Bigster is larger — 25cm longer, with a 629-litre boot versus the Duster’s ~422 litres, best-in-class rear legroom, and a more refined cabin with dual-zone climate control as standard. The Duster is the more compact, slightly more nimble option — better for solo travellers or couples with lighter luggage. For families or groups with serious gear, the Bigster is the clear choice.

• • Is the Dacia Bigster AWD good for winter driving in Iceland?
    Yes, on main roads. The Bigster AWD with winter tyres handles Iceland’s Ring Road and major paved routes confidently in winter conditions — the Snow terrain mode and AWD system provide good stability on ice and packed snow. F-roads are closed in winter, so highland access is not available outside summer months. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.

• • Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?
    Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk at pickup — it is not bookable online in advance. It costs 1,990 ISK/day standalone, or 990 ISK/day when added with MAX Coverage. If you need assistance during your rental, pay the service fee at the time, then bring your receipt when you return the car — we’ll refund the covered amount to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).

• • Where can I find driving safety information for Iceland?
    Hertz Iceland operates safe.hertz.is — a dedicated driving safety hub covering winter driving, F-road guidance, road conditions, and emergency contacts. It is available to all travellers in Iceland, not just Hertz customers.