Fresh look for a bargain buy

EDWARD STEPHENS TAKES A SPIN IN A SUPERMINI PRICED

AT UNDER £14K

IF the all-new Dacia Sandero proves anything it proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to become the owner of a brand new car that’s fun to drive.

Just over 10 years ago when the brand first launched in the UK its main selling point was rock bottom prices for models which were functional but hardly exciting. Now, after 2.7 million Sandero sales worldwide in the last 10 years, the third generation is in showrooms with a price which still undercuts almost everything else on the market but now comes with a big helping of driver appeal and desirability.

And much of that is due to a radical new look and the fact that under the new bodywork sits a modified version of the Renault Clio platform – Dacia being owned by Renault – which ensures enjoyable motoring. Despite that, prices start from just £13,795 for the entry level Essential spec version and £14,795 for the Expression version, driven here.

Even on the Essential version, however, you now get features such as air conditioning, cruise control, DAB radio and remote central locking. And the old days of struggling to peer through the

windscreen because there was no seat height adjuster have gone. Step up to the Expression spec and you benefit from a host of other features including an eightinch central touchscreen which brings with it the benefits of a rear-view camera, a four rather than two-speaker stereo system and a more upmarket cabin. In fact the interior, with its soft touch starburst-patterned dashboard and matching door and seat trim, is crisp and stylish with an appeal that cuts across the sexes. There’s also a useful driver’s armrest although it needs to be made height adjustable to suit all. Interior space for a supermini is generous and even rear seat passengers will have no reason to complain, while a particularly deep 328-litre capacity boot makes light work of the weekly grocery shop or holiday luggage. Power comes from a 91bhp, one litre, three-cylinder petrol engine which punches above its weight and offers plenty of low and midrange power, ensuring there is no problem keeping up with changing traffic conditions.

And at motorway speeds the Sandero always feels well planted and solid, although some road noise is noticeable.

My test car had a five-speed manual gearbox but automatic models are available.

If you want to be really picky you might highlight the fact that there are still drum rather than disc brakes on the rear wheels and the side mirrors don’t fold in automatically when you park but neither feature is a real deal breaker. I really enjoyed my time with the Sandero which is now a great little package with a full threeyear warranty at a price less than what a lot of people would pay for a second hand car.

Comparable sized superminis will cost you around £4,000 £5,000 more. So what’s not to like.