When it comes to the car offering the greatest value for money, that award has to go to the Dacia Sandero.
This award-winning supermini costs less than half what many models in this class start from – the Ford Fiesta, for example. Ever since the Sandero was introduced to the UK in 2013, it has consistently been Britain’s most affordable new car.
While the model has been updated and facelifted since then, it’s still only received a modest price increase, with it now only starting from only £6,995.
Here’s everything you need to know about this value-packed supermini.
What engines are available?
Dacia offers three engines on its Sandero – two petrols and one diesel.
The range starts with a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 74bhp (badged as SCe 75), which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, as does every Sandero engine. It’s best suited to town and city driving, with 0-62mph taking 15.1 seconds, along with reaching a top speed of 98mph. It’s the most efficient of the two petrol engines, as it’s able to return up to 55.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km.
The second petrol engine is a turbocharged 0.9-litre unit producing 89bhp, which is called the TCe 90. It can hit 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 109mph. It can still return 53.3mpg, and CO2 emissions of 121g/km.
Those covering longer distances and driving on motorways more frequently should choose the 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel unit – the Blue dCi 95. It can hit 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 111mph. But it impresses most when it comes to efficiency, with the Sandero returning up to 62.7mpg, with low CO2 emissions of 98g/km.
What trim levels are offered?
The Dacia Sandero has three versions to choose from, prices and equipment highlights are as follows.
Access – from £6,955
The low entry level price means you don’t basic necessities. It features LED daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a chrome front grille strip, a heated rear window, manually-adjustable door mirrors, 60/40 split folding rear seats and pre-wiring for an aftermarket radio.
Essential – from £7,995
Essential offers a great mix of value and kit, and adds body-coloured bumpers, remote locking, electric front windows, air-conditioning, as well as Bluetooth®, USB connection, a DAB radio and height adjustment for the steering wheel and driving seat.
Comfort – from £8,995
If you’re looking for a few more luxuries from your Sandero, the top-spec Comfort is the version to go for. It adds 15” alloy wheels, chrome interior detailing, a more advanced trip computer, as well as cruise control, a speed limiter and rear parking sensors. It’s also the only version to come with a 7” touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto® smartphone mirroring and satellite navigation.
What about personalisation?
The standard colour is solid Glacier White, with the optional extra of metallic paint including Iron Blue, Pearl Black, Slate Grey and Dune Beige.
The useful optional extras include all the usual features buyers expect. For example, for £500 you can have leather upholstery^, a rear-view camera for £225 and larger 16” alloy wheels for £450.
Various accessories are also available, including front parking sensors £150), boot sill protection (£115) and a removable tow bar (£395).
^ Genuine leather on central section; synthetic leather on side bolsters and rear.