Sandero buyer’s guide
Get your hands on budget Dacia supermini from £4,000
BRITISH buyers love their premium models, so the idea of launching a budget car brand might have seemed crazy to many people when Dacia arrived here in 2013.
This Renault subsidiary started out as Romania’s national car maker 50 years ago, but was absorbed into the French giant’s portfolio in 1999. And it swiftly made waves by launching the UK’S cheapest car, in the shape of the sub-£6,000 Sandero.
But while this supermini follows Dacia’s template of providing reliable, practical transport on a budget instead of focusing on cutting-edge tech or design flair, there’s more to it than just a low price. The brand offers a range of engines, well equipped higher-spec models and a rugged-looking, crossover-style Stepway model (pictured). And owners tell us they love their Sanderos.
History
THE first Dacia Sanderos hit UK dealers in January 2013. Buyers could choose from 73bhp 1.2 or 90bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre petrol engines, plus a 90bhp 1.5 diesel. At launch there were Access, Ambiance and Laureate trim levels, as well as the chunky Stepway, but in March 2015 a Laureate Prime was added. This new range-topping car had Cosmos Blue metallic paint, electric rear windows, upgraded interior trim and a seven-inch multimedia touchscreen.
Euro 6 engines were fitted from August 2015, cutting CO2 emissions and boosting fuel economy. In April 2016 an Ambiance Prime special edition was launched, with alloys, metallic paint and front foglights.
Which one?
THERE’S only one bodystyle and one transmission option for all Sanderos, so it’s just a question of working out which engine and trim level suits you best.
Entry-level Access models feature steel wheels, black bumpers and manual windows. They don’t even have a radio, although they do get power-steering, ESP, tyre pressure monitors and a split rear seat. Move up to the Ambiance and there are body-coloured bumpers, more upmarket interior trim, remote central locking, electric front windows, Bluetooth and a radio.
The flagship Laureate has alloys, posher cabin trim, a trip computer, cruise control, air-con, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, plus height-adjustable front seats and seatbelts. The Stepway only comes in Ambiance and Laureate trims.
Alternatives
FOR the same money as a used Sandero there are plenty of alternatives, but they’ll generally be older and have higher mileages. The Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio aren’t the value buys they once were, but feature tempting warranties. Peugeot’s 207 and 208 are in plentiful supply, feel plusher than the Dacia and come with some excellent engines. The same is true of the Renault Clio. Also great value are the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa; they feel posh compared with the Sandero, have wide ranges and there’s loads of choice.
Verdict
DUE to its bargain price, it would be easy to dismiss the Dacia Sandero as an also-ran that could never rival the likes of the Peugeot 208, Kia Rio or even the DS 3. But the reality is that as an overall ownership proposition, it trounces these cars as they rank well below the Dacia in this year’s Driver Power survey.
While the Sandero’s engines are rather uninspiring, and basic editions offer little in the way of feelgood factor, there’s no denying the value the Dacia provides. So if you’re looking for cheap motoring but don’t want to compromise reliability, comfort or practicality, we’d recommend you get better acquainted with the Sandero.
“Sandero provides reliable, practical transport on a budget, but there’s more to it than just a low price”
OUR VIEW
THE Sandero made its first appearance in our Driver Power satisfaction survey in 2014, in 43rd place. It fell to 53rd in 2015, then rose to 30th this year. Running costs and reliability (ninth and 19th) were 2016’s highlights, alongside in-car tech (28th) and ride quality (38th). Seat comfort and build quality held the car back, at 91st and 87th respectively.
YOUR VIEW
DOUG Carnforth from Hereford owns a 2015 Sandero 1.2. He told us: “I drive about 5,000 miles each year and was tempted by the option of buying a new car with a warranty and breakdown cover for so little money. It’s not fast but it’s comfortable, has been reliable so far and feels safe. It’s easy to recommend.”