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Dacia Dokker I, the spiritual successor to the Dacia Logan MCV Van. Built-in Morocco, according to a French recipe, and the car of the craftsmen. The psychosis begins properly.

I should probably talk about the Dacia Lodgy in the Dacia Dokker I review, or at least you’d expect it to. And you’d be wrong. Even if they are made in a hurry on the same platform, there are a few different specific issues, engines, and equipment. Plus the Dacia Lodgy also came in a 7-seater version, being the cheapest 7-seater in Europe. Basically, if you want something cheaper that can seat 7 people at the same time you have to take the bus.

And the Dacia Dokker I takes over the role of the legendary Dacia Logan MCV Van, which itself took over the role of the titanic Dacia Papuc, cars that lifted the former soviet countries, no matter how bad they were. The Logan MCV Van was relatively decent but lived in an era when Romanians were unfamiliar with the concept of a new car and stormed the borders on their way to Germany to return with a Combo or Caddy. And the Dacia Dokker I came as a commercial car that almost everyone could afford, starting at 12000 euro including VAT and without discounts.

Plus the Dacia Dokker I was a revolution for the Dacia brand. Together with the Lodgy, they were the first Dacias to come with a speed limiter, Bluetooth, cruise control, parking sensors, a reverse camera, turbocharged petrol engines, and all the other crazy things that Renault currently uses. If until now Dacia only got the leftovers or the old but tried and test, today Dacia is fighting side by side with Renault, Opel, and VW to take over the supply of your business. And there’s another huge advantage that Lodgy has, but I’ll speak about it there.

Plus the Dacia Dokker I is currently the cheapest van on the market in Europe at 12400 euros, next in line is the Vauxhall Combo E at 13200 euros. But also because it’s the cheapest van in Europe that means you won’t get a rebadged S Class with a HVAC. That’s probably why the local romanians don’t even buy it and we rush to buy Dokkers, Lodgy, and MCV Stepways.

Dacia Dokker I Engines

Petrol

• 1.2 TCe H5FT of 115 horsepower  – The apple of discord between Nissan and Renault and an engine you definitely want to ignore, especially in the Dacia Dokker I. Aside from being an asthmatic that struggles to handle whatever you give it, it’s also prone to galactic oil consumption.


• 1.3 TCe H5HT of 102 and 130 horsepower – Now we’re talking about something else. The 1332 cc turbocharged petrol was very good from the start. In fact, it was so good it was even fitted to Mercedes, Kadjar, Duster, and all the small cars in the Nissan – Renault – Mercedes alliance. And on the Dokker it’s somewhat decent. Like it or not, this is the only engine you can buy in 2022 that is petrol powered. Oh yes, big care with these engines because they both come with particle filters, thanks EU.


• 1.6 K7M and H4M of 85 horsepower – This was the launch engine on the Dacia Dokker I and was debated and compared to the 1.5 dCi more than George Pruteanu debated along with Adi Minune and Nicolae Guta whether manele music really have an educational future in Romania or just herald our demise as a nation. Either way, this antiquity is the most reliable when it comes to petrol engines, even if it lags behind in performance. I mean, we’re still talking about an engine that’s been produced for 2000 years, it should be reliable too.

Diesel

1.5 dCi K9K of 75 and 90 horsepower – Is there anything left to say about the famous 1.5 dCi K9K launched 3000 years ago in the Clio? Apparently, yes. A modern diesel with most of the issues solved, no specific issues apart from the latest diesel headache- the AdBlue system. And here it’s interesting because the first Dokkers had the 1.5 and 75 horsepower engine WITHOUT AdBlue, and the 90 horsepower engine had this hideous installation as standard. Today both versions have AdBlue, but it’s good that there’s a glimmer of hope and you can find one without AdBlue.

Dacia Dokker I General Issues

• The sliding door is made out of toilet paper and the wind blows through it. Or maybe it’s because Dacia engineers were drunk after drinking cheap beer and drew those lines that are as aerodynamic as Harvey Weinstein. Especially behind the front doors, where they put that bulge that steers the wind worse than a drunken student struggling to lean against the wall steers his piss.


• The brakes are a weak point on the Dacia Dokker I. No, they don’t have any issues, it’s just that for economic reasons they put in discs the size of beer caps so drive slowly. I understand you’ve got 75 horsepower but still, try some restrain.


• The start/stop system unfortunately comes standard on all models, which isn’t bad for touring cars. But for a pickup and delivery car, the start/stop system is as good as a beer left in the sun. 


• Wheel allignment will be a constant issue with the Dacia Dokker I but anyway in this world of delivery cars the condition of the wheels really doesn’t matter, unless you are both the owner and the driver. If the driver is just another employee, you really don’t care about tires and other expensive stuff like alignment, geometry, or suspension.


• Rust unfortunately forms just as quickly on the Dokker as on the Dacia MCV Van, but at least it’s a bit better than in the past. But to say it rusts a little slower is like saying you only have a non-functional leg but at least it’s not amputated.

Dacia Dokker I Verdict

If the Logan MCV Van had no competition in its price range, today’s Dacia Dokker I is squeezed out of competition more than a Libresse. Instead, it has the fabulous 1.5 dCi on its side, but when that too is retired, what will the Dokker be left with in the face of competition? Empty-handed and teary-eyed. But that will most likely be the issue for the next generation Dokker. Until then, the cheapest van on the market is still with us and definitely worth its money.

Which engines do you recommend? For petrol power I’ll recommend the 1.6 MPI and 85 horsepower power and from here I’ll let you guys fight it out amongst yourselves if the 1.3 Turbo is better. As for the diesel, definitely the 1.5 dCi 90 horsepower.