Skip advert
Advertisement
Best cars & vans

Dacia Sandero - best first cars for new drivers

The Dacia Sandero is a budget supermini that gets the basics right with no frills attached

Dacia Sandero facelift - front

The Dacia Sandero has shaken up the UK new car market with its headline-grabbing price tag: it’s the cheapest new car on sale in the UK today. And while the interior is cheap and dated compared to the class leaders, under the skin this supermini uses proven mechanicals from Dacia owner Renault, so owners shouldn’t encounter any problems.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Low insurance group ratings add to the financial appeal, as do the 12,000-mile service intervals. However, the entry-level 1.2-litre petrol model has heavy fuel consumption. If you can stretch to the diesel, you get 62.7mpg economy. All models get ESP, but Euro NCAP awarded the Sandero only four stars in crash tests. The 0.9-litre TCe 90 petrol engine is the pick of the range, offering a decent mix of performance and fuel efficiency. 

For the price, you get quite a lot of interior space, and boot size impresses at 320 litres. But the entry-level Access doesn’t even have a stereo as standard, and you need to go for a Laureate model if you want air-conditioning and electric rear windows. The Sandero trails the likes of the Ford Fiesta on driving fun, but many buyers will be able to put up with that to get a roomy new car at such a low price.

For the off-road look, there’s also a Sandero Stepway with chunky dimensions, but it doesn’t offer much rugged ability or any greater towing capacity.

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2021

  1. Volkswagen up!/Skoda Citigo/SEAT Mii
  2. Kia Picanto
  3. Ford Fiesta
  4. SEAT Ibiza
  5. Hyundai i10
  6. Volkswagen Polo
  7. Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 108/Citroen C1
  8. Skoda Fabia
  9. Dacia Sandero
  10. Vauxhall Corsa
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Car Hunter: first cars for new drivers for under £10,000
Car Hunter: first cars for under £10,000 - header image

Used Car Hunter: first cars for new drivers for under £10,000

Our Car Hunter has £10,000 to find a used car that’s easy to drive, cheap to run and suitable for a freshly-qualified driver
Features
14 May 2025
Cheapest cars to buy 2025
Cheapest cars - header image

Cheapest cars to buy 2025

Searching for a brand-new bargain? These are the cheapest cars in the UK right now
Best cars & vans
8 May 2025
Best small cars to buy 2025 - our favourite little low-cost runabouts
Best small cars - header image

Best small cars to buy 2025 - our favourite little low-cost runabouts

Small cars come in all shapes, if not sizes. Here we highlight the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
8 May 2025
Best first cars for new drivers 2025
Best first cars - header image

Best first cars for new drivers 2025

These are the best cars for first time drivers, all of which are cheap, easy to drive and safe
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025
New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match
Lotus Emeya - front

New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match

The new Lotus Emeya may not be light, but is great in almost every other way
Road tests
15 May 2025