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Dacia Solenza

Dacia's last homegrown platform got a €40 million Renault-era makeover.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 27 sources

At a glance

0100200
63–75 hpPower
01020
13.1–16.9 s0–100 km/h
0100200
155–165 km/hTop speed
0150300
114–120 N·mTorque
07501,500
960–1,035 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.11112

Engine
1.4 L E7J gasoline I4 or 1.9 L F8Q diesel I41
Layout
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive111
Gearbox
5-speed manual; gasoline models use Renault's JH314
Built at
Mioveni, Romania; ZAZ, Zaporizhia, Ukraine1

The story

A rehearsal for Logan, the Solenza reshaped the SupeRNova with Renault engines, gearbox and cabin parts. It was Dacia's final model on its own platform, built from March 2003 to July 2005.13

2003: February preview: a 370-liter trunk · April 10: Romanian sales begin · September: airbag from Rapsodie up20032004: January: Europa cuts the entry price · May: sales pass 45,000 · May: Rapsodie and Avantage dropped20042005: July: the 2007 plan is cut short2005 Dacia Nova: 1995–2000Dacia NovaDacia SupeRNova: 2000–2003Dacia Solenza (X41): 2003–2005X41Dacia Logan (X90): Launched 2004X90 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones13510161718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1995–2000Dacia Nova
2000–2003Dacia SupeRNova
2003–2005Dacia Solenza (X41)
Launched 2004Dacia Logan (X90)
2003February preview: a 370-liter trunk
2003April 10: Romanian sales begin
2003September: airbag from Rapsodie up
2004January: Europa cuts the entry price
2004May: sales pass 45,000
2004May: Rapsodie and Avantage dropped
2005July: the 2007 plan is cut short
  1. 2003

    February preview: a 370-liter trunk

    The 4.08-meter model paired a 370-liter trunk with MacPherson-type front suspension and an H-beam rear axle.4

  2. 2003

    April 10: Romanian sales begin

    Sales began April 10 after a March launch. Investment exceeded €40 million, including €30 million for pressing, bodywork and paint.35

  3. 2003

    September: airbag from Rapsodie up

    Rapsodie and higher trims gained a standard driver airbag for €170 more. Reinforced bodywork plus the airbag met ECE 94-95 crash rules.67

  4. 2004

    January: Europa cuts the entry price

    Europa arrived at €4,590 without a radio or power steering; air conditioning was a €500 option.8

  5. 2004

    May: sales pass 45,000

    More than 45,000 had been sold, with 10,500 exported; Syria, Ukraine, Serbia and Turkey were the principal export destinations.9

  6. 2004

    May: Rapsodie and Avantage dropped

    Four gasoline trims and two diesels remained; Rapsodie and Avantage were dropped, while diesel Confort gained optional power steering.9

  7. 2005

    July: the 2007 plan is cut short

    Solenza stopped in July so Logan output could grow. The original plan ran to 2007, with 200,000 sales projected.1510

Every generation

  • Dacia Nova
    Dacia Nova1995–2000
  • Dacia SupeRNova
    Dacia SupeRNova2000–2003
  • Dacia Solenza
    X412003–2005
  • Dacia Logan
    X90Launched 2004

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Europa

  • Standard

    Prima

    75 hp

  • Standard

    Confort

  • Rapsodie

    Standard

    Rapsodie

    75 hp

  • Standard

    Clima

    75 hp
  • Scala

    Standard

    Scala

    75 hp

  • Standard

    Avantage

    63 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • V-shaped grille and twin hood creases, with a blue-and-chrome Dacia shield at the center.4
  • Slanted headlights and a large front air intake.12
  • Triangular taillights flank the wide hatch; the third brake light sits high in the rear window.414
  • Sedan-like side profile, but the rear window rises with the hatch.12

Year by year

  1. 2003 reinforced-body update

    The reinforced-body update retained the original exterior styling.7

  2. January 2004

    Europa joined the range with unpainted bumpers, no side moldings and untinted glass.18

  3. By May 2004

    Rapsodie and Avantage disappeared; Confort gained body-color bumpers, side moldings and a driver airbag.9

Don’t confuse it with

  • Dacia SupeRNova

    Look for the Solenza's slanted headlights and triangular rear lamps on the reshaped body.112

Against its rivals

  • Renault Symbol

    Solenza vs Renault Symbol

    Base price lower is better

    Solenza5,725 €
    Renault Symbol8,300 €
    12
  • Daewoo Lanos

    Solenza vs Daewoo Lanos

    Base price lower is better

    Solenza5,725 €
    Daewoo Lanos6,807 €
    12

  • Solenza vs VAZ-21103

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Solenza13.1 s
    VAZ-2110312 s
    19

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “A1 Race victory at Cupa Stejeret”
    • “Chavos out, Solenza in”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 27 sources
  1. Dacia Solenza - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Dacia Solenza (2003 - 2005): une Supernova modernisée planeterenault.com
  3. Istoria mărcii Dacia a Grupului Renault - Dacia Romania dacia.ro
  4. Solenza, noua identitate Dacia | Ziarul Curentul curentul.info
  5. Solenza, primul automobil Dacia dotat cu CD-player zf.ro
  6. Solenza, primul automobil Dacia echipat cu airbag | adevarul.ro adevarul.ro
  7. Dacia Solenza Diesel - un nou magnet pentru romani? | Ziarul Curentul curentul.info
  8. Dacia a lansat modelul Solenza Europa apropotv.ro
  9. Noua gama Dacia Solenza apropotv.ro
  10. Cum arată și cât costă singura Dacia Solenza scoasă la vânzare pe autovit.ro promotor.ro
  11. Dacia web.archive.org
  12. DACIA: Новее суперновой. DACIA. Автомобили. Тест-драйв. Автоцентр. AUTOCENTRE.UA - Автомобильный портал. АвтоБазар, Автоцентр, Новости. web.archive.org
  13. Test Dacia Solenza Prima garaz.cz
  14. Nová Dacia Solenza : moderní, robustní a úsporná | Autoperiskop.cz – Výjimečný pohled na auta autoperiskop.cz
  15. Drive test Dacia Solenza 1.9D apropotv.ro
  16. Dacia Nova - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Dacia SupeRNova - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Dacia Solenza (2003 - 2005) planetedacia.com
  19. ВАЗ 21103, Dacia Solenza: Россия – Румыния: ответный матч – последние автоновости на Автоцентр.ua autocentre.ua
  20. Aproape Masini - Pareri : Dacia Solenza ( 2003 - 2005 ) aproapemasini.com
  21. Luciano Bove — Car Designer & Car Design Educator lucianobove.com
  22. Programul acesta gratuit de tuning virtual te ajută să-ţi modifici Dacia Solenza | carakoom.com carakoom.com
  23. Dacia Solenza PL for GTA 4 gtaall.com
  24. CRVC Gorj: Mihai Bălescu, cel mai rapid la Cupa Stejeret – RPM Racing Ro rpmracingro.wordpress.com
  25. Roman-Vodă Racing Dream, liceenii care transformă pasiunea în performanță pe circuitele României - Autostiri.ro autostiri.ro
  26. Dacia Solenza: Семь раз отмерь – останні автоновини на Автоцентр.ua autocentre.ua
  27. Dacia Solenza de vânzare: 67 de anunțuri, preț de la 400 € autoscanner.ro
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • planeterenault.com
  • dacia.ro
  • curentul.info
  • zf.ro
  • adevarul.ro
  • apropotv.ro
  • promotor.ro
  • web.archive.org
  • garaz.cz
  • autoperiskop.cz
  • planetedacia.com
  • autocentre.ua
  • aproapemasini.com

Photo credits

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