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Dacia Sandero (2013-2020) review

The Dacia Sandero is the UK's value king, offering up more space and practicality than anything else in its price range

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
RRP
£14,495 £17,995
Avg. savings
£723 off RRP*
Pros
  • Great value
  • Bigger than rivals
  • Owners like them
Cons
  • Dated and fiddly interior
  • Poor ride and handling
  • Budget build quality
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If you're after no frills driving and aren't worried by the badge or desirability, then the Dacia Sandero offers excellent value for money. A recent facelift also brings plenty of small improvements, meaning you really do get a lot of car for not much of an outlay.

No matter which trim you go for, the Sandero isn’t exactly sophisticated from behind the wheel. The interior does have plenty of space, but it's not the most luxurious place to be and the quality is questionable in places. That’s how Dacia manages to keep its prices so incredibly low, though, and plenty of canny buyers seem prepared to accept the car's flaws in the pursuit of a bargain.

The Dacia Sandero is the cheapest new car for sale in the UK. With a starting price well under £10,000, the Sandero (as well as the Sandero Stepway) rivals used cars for value for money, but unlike any used car, it comes with a full manufacturer warranty.

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A price of just under £8,000 makes the Sandero the cheapest new car for sale in the UK today, but this car doesn't scrimp on space. While the price is less than you'll pay for a city car, the Sandero is supermini-sized, which makes it a top choice for buyers needing a practical car on a budget. In terms of size, the Sandero rivals the likes of the Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20, although prices still undercut the smaller Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10.

Under the skin, the Sandero uses running gear from parent firm Renault, which is why it can be sold at such a low price. The entry-level Access trim has been dropped from the price list, so there are just two specifications to choose from: Essential and Comfort.

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Used - available now

Sandero

2022 Dacia

Sandero

23,083 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,535
View Sandero
Sandero

2022 Dacia

Sandero

18,697 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,603
View Sandero
Sandero

2024 Dacia

Sandero

30,015 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £8,300
View Sandero
Sandero

2019 Dacia

Sandero

20,183 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £7,100
View Sandero

From just under £8,000 the Essential version includes body-coloured bumpers, a DAB radio, rear headrests, central locking, electric front windows and air conditioning, among others.

At the top of the range, the Comfort model is around an extra £2,000 more than Essential trim, and adds a modern touchscreen navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included, plus a trip computer, heated electric door mirrors, and upgraded upholstery.

The Essential model is offered with a choice of three engines: the petrol SCe 75, the Renault-sourced TCe 90 three-cylinder turbo petrol and the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel unit, while Comfort-spec cars do without the base SCe 75 engine.

The TCe adds around £800 to list prices, while the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel adds a further £350 on top of that. This means the most expensive Sandero comes in at £10,295, still far less than any similarly-sized supermini.

Dacia also offers the Sandero Stepway - a Sandero with SUV-style body cladding, roof rails and a raised ride height. This is a bit more expensive, but prices ranging from £10,145 to £11,945 won't break the bank. Again, there's no Access model, just Essential and Comfort, with the new SE Twenty version adding more kit for a good-value price.

For an alternative review of the latest Dacia Sandero Hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 Tce Bi-Fuel Essential 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £14,495
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Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 Tce Essential 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £14,495
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Fastest

  • Name
    1.0 Tce Bi-Fuel Essential 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £14,495
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New & used car deals

Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero

RRP £10,405Avg. savings £723 off RRP*Used from £7,995
Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia Sandero Stepway

RRP £14,045Avg. savings £839 off RRP*Used from £9,220
Citroen C3

Citroen C3

RRP £18,305Avg. savings £1,705 off RRP*Used from £4,999
Dacia Duster

Dacia Duster

RRP £19,380Avg. savings £695 off RRP*Used from £7,498
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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