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5 new 4x4 SUVs under €35,000 in Romania in 2026: prices and how to choose

The short answer

On 4 September 2026, five new 4x4 SUVs could be documented under the €35,000 including VAT threshold in the official Romanian offer: Suzuki Vitara AllGrip, Dacia Duster tribrid 150 4x4, Suzuki S-Cross AllGrip, Dacia Bigster tribrid 150 4x4 and Subaru Crosstrek AWD.

Vitara had the lowest list price in the selection, at €26,825, and Duster started in the stock examples from €27,550 before discounts. S-Cross cost from €28,880, a Bigster expression available in stock was listed at €31,170, and Crosstrek came under the cap only through the promotional price of €32,300; its list price was €37,800.

The practical choice looks like this:

  1. Suzuki Vitara AllGrip — if you want the lowest price, manageable size and an automatic gearbox;
  2. Dacia Duster tribrid 150 4x4 — if the priority is ground clearance, unpaved roads and the long range offered by petrol plus LPG;
  3. Suzuki S-Cross AllGrip — if you want more space than in the Vitara, without moving to a large SUV;
  4. Dacia Bigster tribrid 150 4x4 — if you need room for family and luggage, but want the same electric rear-axle drive as on the Duster;
  5. Subaru Crosstrek — if you prefer a standard AWD system and accept that the price under €35,000 depends on a promotion.

None is an off-road vehicle with a separate chassis and a classic low-range gearbox. All-wheel drive helps with getting going on snow, mud or a slope, but it does not compensate for unsuitable tyres and does not automatically shorten braking distance.

Prices for new 4x4 SUVs under €35,000

Documented model and version Price including VAT Engine and transmission Type of 4x4 drive Official consumption indicated
Suzuki Vitara Passion AllGrip €26,825 list 1.4 mild hybrid, automatic mechanical ALLGRIP 5.8–5.9 l/100 km
Dacia Duster expression tribrid 150 4x4 €27,550 list; €26,550 promo petrol + LPG + electric, 6-speed DCT electric motor on the rear axle 7.1 l/100 km LPG; 5.5 l/100 km petrol
Suzuki S-Cross Passion AllGrip €28,880 list 1.4 mild hybrid, automatic mechanical ALLGRIP 6.1 l/100 km
Dacia Bigster expression tribrid 150 4x4 €31,170 list; €30,170 promo petrol + LPG + electric, 6-speed DCT electric motor on the rear axle 7.2 l/100 km LPG; 5.6 l/100 km petrol
Subaru Crosstrek Style €32,300 promo; €37,800 list 2.0 e-Boxer, Lineartronic CVT Symmetrical AWD ask for the WLTP figure of the configuration

The Dacia prices are concrete examples of cars shown in official stock, not promises for every colour or delivery time. The Bigster example at €31,170 included Cold Pack 2. The Suzuki list is dated 1 August 2025, but the official document states that it remains valid until replaced and was still published by Suzuki Romania on the verification date. At Subaru, the €35,000 cap is met only by the promotion.

We have not deducted the Rabla eco-voucher from the main figures. A dealer offer can include a commercial discount, financing, Rabla, paint or accessories, and the final amount in lei also depends on the exchange rate used by the seller. Ask for a written offer in which the list price and each discount appear separately.

1. Suzuki Vitara AllGrip: the cheapest in the selection

The Vitara Passion with automatic transmission and ALLGRIP was listed at €26,825 including VAT. The 48 V mild-hybrid system combines the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, of 110 hp, with a 16.6 hp motor-generator. These outputs do not simply add up as if two engines were delivering their maximum at the same moment permanently.

The official list indicates combined WLTP consumption of 5.8–5.9 l/100 km for the automatic AllGrip Vitara. The comparable 4x2 variant cost €24,570, so all-wheel drive added €2,255 at the same Passion level. The difference is worth paying if you have a difficult slope, uncleared winter roads or regularly go onto gravel. For urban commuting on asphalt, the money may be more useful on tyres, equipment or insurance.

Vitara is the most compact choice on this list. It is easier to park than Bigster and Crosstrek, but the family should try the rear seat and boot with the objects they actually use. A child’s pushchair, two suitcases and winter equipment say more than the SUV name.

On the test drive, check the automatic transmission’s response on a slow getaway, side visibility and noise at motorway speed. Ask the dealer to demonstrate the ALLGRIP modes and to write the delivered tyre size on the order sheet.

2. Dacia Duster tribrid 150 4x4: for bad roads and LPG

In official Dacia stock, a Duster expression tribrid 150 4x4 without extra options was shown at a €27,550 list price and a €26,550 promotional price. These sums should not be confused with “through Rabla” prices, which assume eligibility and separate conditions.

The current name tribrid 150 4x4 designates the system previously called hybrid-G 150 4x4. It combines the 1.2-litre turbo engine running on petrol or LPG, the 48 V system and an electric motor on the rear axle. The front gearbox is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the rear electric unit has its own two-speed, disconnectable gearbox. There is no propeller shaft between the axles.

Dacia quotes for the Duster 7.1 l/100 km on LPG, 5.5 l/100 km on petrol and a combined range of up to 1,500 km, obtained with the 50 l tanks. Range is a WLTP figure; speed, cold, load and the route can reduce it. The cost advantage appears only if you refill with LPG frequently and include the petrol used by the system.

The Duster has up to 217 mm of ground clearance and an approach angle of up to 31°. Auto, Eco, Snow, Mud/Sand and Lock modes change how the rear axle is used, and Hill Descent Control manages speed on descents between 4 and 30 km/h. “Lock” does not mean mechanical locking of the differentials, nor a low-range off-road gearbox.

For someone going to a cabin, on a forest road open to traffic or on unpaved lanes, Duster offers the clearest combination of ground clearance and price. If the route is almost exclusively paved, also compare a 4x2 version: lower mass, complexity and price can matter more than the electric rear axle.

The guide on Dacia Duster 2026: prices and powertrains explains the rest of the range. For a used example, the checks differ and are detailed in the piece on used Dacia Duster.

3. Suzuki S-Cross AllGrip: the compromise between Vitara and family SUVs

The S-Cross Passion with automatic and ALLGRIP was listed at €28,880 including VAT. It uses the same type of 48 V mild-hybrid system from Suzuki’s offer, with a 1.4-litre turbo engine of 110 hp and a 16.6 hp motor-generator. Combined WLTP consumption from the list is 6.1 l/100 km.

Compared with the Passion 4x2 version, listed at €26,635, ALLGRIP added €2,245. The comparison with Vitara should be made on space, not only on the engine sheet. S-Cross has a 2,600 mm wheelbase and is the more suitable option if Vitara becomes tight on the rear seat or for luggage, but you do not need the longer body of a Bigster.

The ALLGRIP system offers selectable modes for different uses. On the test, drive the car on uneven asphalt, in a tight car park and on a sloping corner. Watch the turning circle, visibility, gearbox response and traction-control intervention. A short test on a boulevard does not show how a loaded car behaves uphill.

Vitara and S-Cross have similar prices and the same propulsion family, which makes the choice simpler: Vitara for smaller exterior dimensions, S-Cross for extra space. Ask for two quotes on the same day and compare exactly the equipment level, colour, lead time and tyres.

4. Dacia Bigster tribrid 150 4x4: more room, the same electric rear-axle logic

A Bigster expression tribrid 150 4x4 with Cold Pack 2 was shown in Dacia stock at €31,170 list and €30,170 promotional. An example without that pack can have another price, and stock can change from one day to the next.

Bigster uses the same tribrid architecture as Duster: petrol, LPG, 48 V system, rear electric motor and dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Dacia indicates combined range of up to 1,500 km and a towing capacity of up to 1,500 kg for the tribrid system. Before you order a car for a caravan, check the braked towing mass in the configuration documents, the combination mass and the licence category; the general figure from the presentation does not replace the car’s certificate of conformity.

Bigster makes sense when the rear seat and boot decide the purchase. It is longer and more expensive than Duster, and the advantage does not appear if the car usually travels with one or two people. Try knee room with the front seats set for real drivers and check boot volume for the tribrid version ordered, not the maximum figure promoted for the whole range.

The specific observation for this system is the position of the LPG tank: Dacia mounts it in the spare-wheel well so that it does not take from the boot’s main volume. The consequence is that the puncture solution supplied and the place where you will carry any towing accessories must be clarified.

5. Subaru Crosstrek: standard AWD, but the threshold depends on a promotion

The official Subaru Romania page showed Crosstrek Style at a €37,800 list price and a €32,300 promotional price. Metallic paint added €600. Without the commercial discount, Crosstrek no longer enters the under-€35,000 selection.

Crosstrek has a 2.0-litre boxer engine of 136 hp, a 16.7 hp electric motor, Lineartronic CVT transmission and Symmetrical AWD. Again, the two power figures should not be added to invent a total output that the importer does not declare that way. The body measures 4,495 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,600 mm high.

It is the choice for the buyer who wants a configuration designed from the start with AWD, not a 4x4 version added to a predominantly 4x2 range. The promotional price must nevertheless be locked into the quote, with a deadline, deposit and refund conditions. Also ask for the exact WLTP figure of the car offered, because the Romanian price page consulted did not display it in the main table.

On the test drive, watch the CVT’s response on a long acceleration, engine noise, comfort over short bumps and how the EyeSight systems work. If you carry bicycles, skis or a roof box, include the bars and accessories in the final calculation.

How the three types of 4x4 differ

Dacia: electric rear axle

Duster and Bigster have no mechanical link between the front combustion engine and the rear axle. The rear electric motor can intervene quickly and avoids a propeller shaft, but performance depends on electronic logic, the 48 V battery, temperature and the selected mode. The two-speed rear gearbox extends use of the drive to higher speeds, without turning the car into a 4x4 with a classic low-range gearbox.

Suzuki: ALLGRIP with mechanical transmission

Vitara and S-Cross use a mechanical all-wheel-drive transmission, managed electronically, with driving modes. It is a familiar solution for snow and roads with changing grip. Servicing, identical tyre size and wear, and following the handbook remain important.

Subaru: AWD as standard equipment

Crosstrek is offered with Lineartronic and AWD in all variants on the Romanian list. The advantage is that you do not have to choose the driven axle separately; the disadvantage is the higher list price. Electronic traction control can help at low speed, but the limit remains tyre grip and ground clearance.

Do you really need a new 4x4 SUV?

All-wheel drive has a clear justification if you regularly climb an uncleared slope, live on an unpaved road, tow on slippery surfaces or frequently go to areas with snow. For two holidays a year and urban traffic, a 4x2 car with good tyres can cost less to buy and run.

Compare total cost, not the 4x4 badge:

estimated total cost = final price + interest + CASCO/RCA + tyres + servicing + fuel − resale value

Ask for tyre prices in the exact size. Four winter tyres, possibly a second set of wheels, pressure sensors and storage can change the order of the quotes. On an AWD system, large wear differences between wheels can affect how the transmission works.

If the €35,000 budget also includes insurance or accessories, keep a reserve. Paint, a winter pack, a tow bar, mats, protection, financing and the exchange rate can push a configuration over the cap.

For a smaller budget, also compare used 4x4 family cars under €20,000. If you are buying a used car, the guide on checking a 4x4 transmission explains risks that do not appear on a new one.

Checklist before ordering

  • The quote specifies the model, equipment, engine, gearbox and exact type of 4x4.
  • The list price is separate from promotion, Rabla, financing and buy-back.
  • The discount has a validity period and written conditions.
  • The contract shows the exchange rate used for payment in lei.
  • Colour, packs, accessories and labour are included in the total.
  • Delivery time and delay situations appear in the contract.
  • You know when the deposit is refunded if the price or deadline changes.
  • You have checked the total cost of the credit or lease, not only the instalment.
  • You have asked for RCA and CASCO quotes for the exact configuration.
  • You know the size and price of the four winter tyres.
  • The spare wheel or puncture kit is listed in the equipment.
  • You have tested the gearbox cold, warm, in manoeuvres and on a slope.
  • The dealer has shown you the 4x4 modes and their limits from the handbook.
  • You have measured the boot with the objects the family uses.
  • You have checked the towing mass of the configuration, if you will fit a tow bar.
  • Consumption is calculated for your route, not only copied from WLTP.
  • At Dacia you have calculated separately the cost on LPG and the petrol consumed.
  • At Subaru you have confirmed in writing the promotional price and how long it lasts.
  • At Suzuki you have asked for a current quote, even if the public list says “until replaced”.
  • The test includes uneven asphalt and a low-grip surface, where it is legal and safe.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the cheapest new 4x4 SUV in this selection?

The automatic Suzuki Vitara Passion AllGrip had the lowest documented list price, of €26,825 including VAT. The Duster tribrid 150 4x4 followed at €27,550 list for the expression example shown in official stock.

Which of these 4x4 SUVs has an automatic gearbox?

All five configurations in the article are automatic. Vitara and S-Cross use an automatic transmission, Duster and Bigster have a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and Crosstrek uses Lineartronic CVT.

Which is more suitable for unpaved roads, Duster or Bigster?

Duster is shorter, cheaper and has up to 217 mm of ground clearance, which makes it the more logical choice for narrow, uneven roads. Bigster brings more space for family and luggage. Both use an electric rear axle and the same main driving modes.

Do Vitara and S-Cross have the same engine?

The configurations compared use the 1.4-litre turbo mild-hybrid engine, of 110 hp, and the 16.6 hp motor-generator. S-Cross is more spacious and official consumption of the automatic AllGrip version is slightly higher: 6.1 versus 5.8–5.9 l/100 km.

Does the Subaru Crosstrek really cost under €35,000?

Only at the promotional price of €32,300 shown on the official page on 4 September 2026. The list price for Style was €37,800, and metallic paint cost another €600.

Does a 4x4 SUV brake better on snow?

Not automatically. All-wheel drive helps first of all with starting and accelerating. When braking, the tyres, speed, vehicle mass, temperature and road condition matter.

Is 4x4 worth it if I drive almost only in town?

As a rule, it is not the first extra worth paying for. Compare the price difference with a 4x2 version and invest first in suitable tyres, safety systems, visibility and comfort. The exception is a daily route with a slope, snow or unpaved access.

Can I compare Dacia’s LPG consumption directly with Suzuki or Subaru petrol consumption?

Not only in litres. Calculate consumption × fuel price for 100 km and include the petrol used by the Dacia system. For a fair comparison, use the prices of stations on your route and consumption measured in similar conditions.

Sources