The Dacia Sandero has always represented great bang-for-your-buck. But is that still the case? Nigel Swan finds out.
The Dacia Sandero is a cheap to buy, cheap to own supermini. While most of the competition fits into the smaller city car class, the Sandero is more of a size rival for bigger, more expensive alternatives, which makes its price point even more attractive.
This Comfort model is the top of the range offering, adding premium equipment such an infotainment system, cruise control and rear parking sensors, without overinflating the on the road price.
The range topping Comfort model combines the space and practicality that you’d find in the entry-level Sandero, but adds luxury equipment like electric windows, infotainment system and parking sensors. While it brings kit levels more in line with premium low-spec rivals, it still remains incredibly good value for money.
The Sandero Comfort on test is powered by a 898cc naturally aspirated petrol engine which pumps out 90bhp, meaning a 0-60mph time of over 11 seconds and a top speed of 109mph. As you’d expect then, this isn’t a car that’s focused on spirited driving – it’s more geared towards a comfortable drive.
Ideally, the more powerful 1.2 petrol is better suited for nipping through gaps in city traffic and short journeys. However, the 0.9 litre is a more capable all-rounder in town and copes well at higher speeds too, without being scintillating. It isn’t as refined as some of its competitors though.
The Sandero isn’t the sharpest car to drive, while the steering is quite weighty, making it not as precise as we’d like for a car in this class. Also, drive it around tight corners and there’s a fair amount of body lean.
There’s very little on the outside that makes the Sandero stand out from the competition. This is a car that has been designed for someone who just wants a car as a means of getting from A to B without worrying about the journey.
The interior is pretty basic, but then this is to expected from a car with this sort of price tag. Some effort has gone into giving it some sparkle, like the piano black decorative inserts on the door panels, and there’s satin chrome on the front door handles and centre console. There’s even leather on the gear knob. There are a couple of cup holders in front of the gearstick, but they’re a bit shallow and won’t suit all types of cups.
The ergonomics are a little all over the place too, with controls that are scattered in a variety of areas – the cruise control is easy to switch on with your left knee but you have to change the desired speed with a stalk on the steering wheel, for instance. The infotainment system is well placed and easy and quick to operate, however.
Just because Dacia has one eye on costs, that doesn’t mean it’s been stripped back to basics. It comes with air conditioning, electric front windows, DAB radio and seven-inch touch-screen multi media system, which controls technology like satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity for your mobile phone.
When it comes to value for money, there’s very little to argue against with the Sandero Comfort. Similarly priced rivals, while better built, more efficient and more desirable, are generally smaller and less practical. But if you go for something similarly sized, you’ll end up paying a higher premium.