- For: Price, practicality, economy
- Against: Dated even when new, limited safety kit
- Verdict: No frills, no thrills, no fuss
Not everyone wants a premium badge. Not everyone wants to savour the drive from A to B. But most people like the feeling of getting more for their money. That’s why the supermini-sized Dacia Sandero has proved so popular.
When launched in 2013, the £5,995 Sandero was, by some margin, Britain’s cheapest new car. The entry-level price increased to £6,995 in 2018, although most buyers actually upgraded to a more expensive version.
Around the same time, a facelift improved the styling and introduced a new 1.0-litre petrol engine, but the Sandero remained fundamentally the same car introduced in 2013.
We’d avoid Access trim, which lacks air conditioning or a radio. Essential spec added DAB, air conditioning, electric windows and body-coloured bumpers. Crucially, buyers could also choose the turbocharged 1.0 TCe engine, which is worth seeking out.
Comfort trim boasts luxuries such as cruise control and Apple CarPlay, although the Sandero gets less convincing the more you spend. It’s a similar story with the Sandero Stepway, which offered faux SUV styling and limited off-road ability for a higher price.
A new, more sophisticated Sandero is now on sale, meaning you can only buy this version used. If you want something sensible (and you’ve read this far, right?) we’d suggest spending a little more on a used Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz.
KEY INFO
- Launched: 2013
- Facelifted: 2017
- Sales ended: 2021
Rivals: Citroen C3, MG3, Skoda Fabia