Dacia Sandero review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the Dacia Sandero is all about function and durability. You won't find lots of soft-touch plastics or fancy trim pieces, but what you get is an array of hard-wearing materials that feel built to last. The layout is simple and logical, meaning you won’t have to search for buttons or controls while you’re driving.

It's worth knowing that entry-level models are very basic – some early versions didn't even come with a radio. It makes sense to look for a mid-range model or higher, which often includes essentials like air conditioning and a simple-to-use infotainment system. Top-spec versions get a touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, cruise control, and rear parking sensors, making them much easier to live with every day.

Comfort

The Sandero offers a surprisingly comfortable ride for a budget-friendly car. Its suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and potholes, making it a pleasant companion for driving around town. The seats are supportive enough for most journeys, though they lack the extensive adjustment you might find in more expensive rivals.

On higher-spec models, the driver's seat and steering wheel have more adjustability, which makes it easier to find a comfortable driving position. While it’s not designed for thrilling performance, its relaxed and comfortable nature makes it a perfectly sensible car for daily commutes and shopping trips.

Quality

Dacia’s focus with the Sandero is on providing value, and the interior reflects this. The cabin is dominated by robust, hard plastics that are clearly chosen for longevity rather than luxury. Everything feels solidly screwed together, but it does lack the premium feel you'd find in cars like a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa.

Think of it as honest and functional. The switches and dials have a sturdy feel, and while the design is quite plain, it’s completely inoffensive. Facelifted models from 2016 onwards saw some improvements, with slightly better materials and a more modern feel to the dashboard.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

For a car of its size, the Dacia Sandero is impressively spacious. It’s a five-door only model, and the wide-opening rear doors make it easy to get in and out, or to fit a child seat. There’s a good amount of headroom and legroom for passengers in the back, and while it’s best for four adults, it can manage a fifth person for shorter trips.

Storage is practical, with large door pockets and a generously sized glovebox. You won't find clever sliding compartments or hidden cubbies, but there's enough space for the essentials like phones, wallets, and water bottles.

Boot space

The Sandero really shines when it comes to boot space. With 320 litres, its boot is one of the largest in the supermini class, offering more room than many pricier alternatives. It’s more than enough for a big weekly shop or a couple of suitcases for a weekend away.

The boot opening is wide, but there is a bit of a high lip to lift items over, which is something to bear in mind if you regularly load heavy things. If you need more space, the rear seats fold down to open up a load bay of 1,200 litres, which is very useful for those occasional trips to the tip or furniture store.

Driving

Driving experience

The Sandero is not a car designed to set your heart racing on a country road, and that’s perfectly fine. Its primary focus is on being easy and comfortable to drive. The steering is light, which is great for navigating tight city streets and parking, though it doesn't offer much feedback.

The ride quality is a real highlight. The soft suspension handles British roads well, soaking up imperfections without fuss. It’s a car that feels at its best when driven in a relaxed manner. On the motorway, it’s stable enough, but you might notice a bit of wind and road noise compared to more refined rivals.

Performance

The engine range for the Sandero is straightforward and focused on efficiency. The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre petrol unit (named SCe) with 74bhp. It’s fine for town driving, but it can feel quite slow and requires a lot of work to get up to motorway speeds.

A much better choice is the turbocharged 0.9-litre petrol engine (TCe), which produces 89bhp. This engine feels much livelier and more capable, making the Sandero feel more comfortable both in town and on faster roads. For those doing high mileage, a 1.5-litre diesel engine (dCi) was also available, offering excellent fuel economy. Most models come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

This is where the Dacia Sandero truly excels. All its engines are very economical. The 1.5-litre diesel is the champion for fuel-sippers, capable of achieving over 70mpg in official tests. Among the petrols, the turbocharged 0.9-litre TCe offers a great blend of performance and efficiency, returning around 60mpg.

Even the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol is very frugal. Low CO2 emissions mean that road tax is inexpensive, and the Sandero also sits in low insurance groups, helping to keep your annual premiums down. It’s one of the cheapest cars on the road to own and run.

Value for money

Value is the Sandero's main selling point. As the UK's cheapest new car for many years, it offers an incredible amount of metal for your money. This value continues into the used market, where you can pick up a practical, reliable, and modern-ish car for very little. Even nearly-new models offer significant savings over the already low list price.

Reliability & Warranty

The Sandero is based on tried-and-tested components from parent company Renault, which contributes to its solid reliability record. Owners often praise the car for its low running costs and dependability. From new, Dacia provides a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is standard for the industry.

Safety

Safety features

When tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2013, the Dacia Sandero was awarded a four-star rating, which was a respectable score at the time. It received decent marks for adult and child occupant protection.

Standard safety equipment includes multiple airbags, electronic stability control to help prevent skids, and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points in the rear. However, you won’t find the advanced driver-assistance systems—like autonomous emergency braking or lane-keeping assist—that are common on newer, more expensive rivals. It covers the basics well but doesn't lead the class on safety tech.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The Sandero trim line-up has evolved over the years, but generally follows a simple structure from basic to well-equipped.

Access: The original entry-level model is extremely basic. It often came with unpainted bumpers and steel wheels, and without a radio or air conditioning. It’s motoring at its most simple.

Ambiance/Essential: This mid-range trim is a much better starting point. It typically adds features like electric front windows, remote central locking, and a radio/CD player with Bluetooth.

Laureate/Comfort: The top-spec trim is the one to go for if you want more creature comforts. This usually adds air conditioning, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors, and alloy-look wheels.

Engines

The engine choice is simple and focused on low running costs.

1.0 SCe: A 74bhp non-turbo petrol engine. It’s best suited to city driving.

0.9 TCe: This 89bhp turbocharged petrol engine is the pick of the range, offering a much better balance of performance and economy.

1.5 dCi: A 94bhp diesel engine that’s the most economical choice, especially for drivers who cover a lot of motorway miles.

All engines typically come with a five-speed manual gearbox.

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