Quick overview
- Strong on value
- Comfortable cabin
- Spacious interior
- Supple suspension
- Mediocre safety rating
- Dull on country roads
- Average refinement
- Just about adequate base spec
Dacia is big on value and the Sandero remains a strong contender in the supermini class on this front, even if the latest generation model no longer has a bargain basement version. Where most city cars cost as much or more than the Sandero, here you get a supermini for the money. It also comes with a decent amount of kit in most models, so it’s a very serious rival to the like of the Citroen C3 or MG3, and also to plenty of used superminis.
There are areas where it’s clear to see how Dacia is able to offer the Sandero for such an attractive price. For instance, some of the interior plastics make no bones about their hard, cheap feel, but at least there is some style to the cabin to help lift it out of being unrelentingly dull. It also comes with clear, logical controls, which cannot be said of every car in this class, and the higher specification Sandero versions have a simple but decent infotainment system included.
What you get plenty of as standard with every Sandero is interior space. It’s one of the larger superminis in this respect, so it can be put to work as a family’s sole transport. It helps, too, that the Sandero has a large boot for this class of car, so you can fit in plenty of bags when heading off on holiday.
Power comes from a 90hp 1.0-litre turbo petrol in the base model Essential with a five-speed manual gearbox. Or, in the higher Expression trim you can have this engine with an automatic gearbox or a 100hp bi-fuel version of the same engine that can be run on petrol or LPG liquified petroleum gas. It’s an unusual option nowadays, but it offers better economy and emissions than the less powerful motor.
Prices
Dacia has pared back the Sandero line-up to offer customers three options. You can have the Essential model with the 90hp 1.0 TCe engine and five-speed manual gearbox from £12,595. The rest of the range comes in Expression trim and starts with the TCe 90 fitted with the manual gearbox that costs from £13,595. To have this engine with the CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox will cost £15,095. In between these two price points is the 100hp TCe Bi-Fuel model that comes in at £14,095. Looking at deals on the Sandero, you should be able to save around £300 on any new model by shopping around. A nearly new example with less than 5000 miles on the clock could be yours from £10,500.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
Given the Dacia Sandero is a supermini, there’s no shortage of space in the front for the driver. You get in through a door that opens wide, though it closes with a bit of ding that tells you there’s not as much sound-proofing in there as some of its rivals. When you’re behind the wheel, you find the seat has height adjustment and the back rest is moved by pulling a lever and letting the upper cushion spring back and forth till you let go of the handle. It’s a simple set-up, but it does make it trickier to make small adjustments as you might on a longer drive. The steering wheel moves for height and reach now in all Sandero’s, so the seating position is very good and has a slightly raised feel compared to many superminis to offer fine all-round vision.
The main dash cluster reflects the no-nonsense approach of the Dacia. You get two big round dials, one for speed and the other for revs, with a small display in between for the onboard computer to show average speed, fuel economy, and distance covered. There are steering wheel buttons to operate this and the standard cruise control, which comes with a speed limiter.
In the middle of the dash, there’s a blank piece of trim on the lower Essential model which, in the upper Expression version, is used for the 8.0-inch infotainment screen. It’s not the most advanced system, but it can be paired with your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to access apps for things music and sat-nav. As a result, it’s a doddle to use. Below this are the controls for the heating and ventilation, which come with good old round dials, and there’s a storage tray beneath this. There are also reasonably large door pockets and a cubby between the front seats.
Take a seat in the rear of the Dacia Sandero and, once again, it belies its supermini class with the amount of space it offers. The bench is well shaped for adults, who will find plenty of room for their feet, knees, shoulders and heads. Even with three sat back here, it doesn’t feel crowded and children will have no trouble fitting in alongside each other. There’s a trio of triple point seat belts, and the centre one is mounted to the seat back rather than being reached down from the roof as in some rivals to the Sandero.
Pop open the tailgate and the boot reveals itself with 328-litres of cargo room. You can extend this all the way up to a sizeable for the class 1108-litres by folding down the 60-40 split and tip rear seat. This is a simple procedure, but it does leave a small step in the boot floor and there are none of the clever tricks in here that you get with a Honda Jazz.
Which 2021 Dacia Sandero model should you buy?
The Essential trim lives up to its name by including all that you need and not a lot more. As a result, you get 15-inch steel wheels with plastic trims, cloth upholstery, and six airbags. There’s also automatic emergency braking and cruise control with speed limiter. Luxury is covered off by air conditioning, electric front windows, and a DAB stereo with a mere two speakers. Turn your attention to the Expression trim and you get alloy wheels in place of steel items, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, and automatic windscreen wipers. There’s also keyless entry, electrically operated door mirrors, and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen that can be paired to your phone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Value for money: how much does a 2021 Dacia Sandero cost to buy and run?
Running costs for the 1.0-litre TCe 90 engine are similar to many other superminis thanks to its 53.3mpg combined fuel economy and 119g/km carbon dioxide emissions. These figures are for the car with the five-speed manual gearbox, but if you opt for the automatic transmission you’ll see 49.6mpg and 129g/km. The more powerful 100hp engine gives 52.3mpg and 123g/km when running on petrol, or 42.2mpg and 109g/km on LPG. You have to bear in mind LPG costs about half as much as petrol per litre, so you can still drive further on LPG for the same amount spent on filling the tank.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2021 Dacia Sandero?
Buy a Dacia Sandero and you will not be left wondering if you should have opted for one of the more mainstream superminis in the sector. This is because the Sandero drives perfectly well, has affordable running costs, and it comes with a roomy cabin and just enough kit in the base model to get by. The higher trim level is the one to aim for if you’re not on a very tight budget, and we’d stick with the manual gearbox unless you absolutely need an automatic transmission.
Are there any ‘buts’ with the Dacia Sandero? No, there aren’t if you can live with the so-so safety score in Euro NCAP tests. It’s not the last word in handling agility or precision in the way a Ford Fiesta is, and nor is the Sandero quite as hushed or solidly made as a Volkswagen Polo. Yet it’s still more than good enough to be worthy of consideration for all those looking at a supermini.