A cheap new car is still possible! The new Dacia Sandero is a car for a crisis - TEST, OPINION

The world of automotive is seriously changing. Cars offer richer basic equipment conditioned by homologation regulations, become safer and emit less harmful substances. Unfortunately, so does the price. New cars are significantly more expensive. This can be seen in the third generation of Dacia Sandero, which is no longer the cheapest passenger car on the Polish market! But don't worry, it's still a well-priced vehicle that can surprise a lot. What about this hatchback caught my attention during the first test drives?

Are you one of those people who approach shopping pragmatically and do not spend money on unnecessary things? Do you think a car should be simple, cheap and easy to use? A car that meets such expectations is definitely the new generation Dacia Sandero devoid of unnecessary gadgets. This is no longer the same raw and poorly equipped car that we are used to. After the improved quality made itself at home in the second generation of Duster, the second incarnation of Sandero follows the same path. The car was built on the CMF platform known e.g. from Renault Clio. Anyway, the new Dacia has much more in common with this model, both in terms of the technical solutions used and in terms of style. Just look at the car in profile and you will immediately notice several features reminiscent of this French hatchback.

Neat silhouette

The next incarnation of Sandero stopped looking like a rounded tin on wheels. The body has definitely become prettier, it has become more aerodynamic and is actually nice to look at. There are clearly defined wheel arches, good proportions and universal sizes typical of a B-segment car. the light motif in the form of an arrow, which is present in the front lamps, also appears under the lampshades in the rear part of the car.In addition to steel rims in 15 "and 16" sizes, the wheel arches can also be fitted with factory-made 16-inch full aluminum rims.

More space

Dacia sets the standard for smart cars. The interiors of the Romanian brand's cars never dripped with exaggerated equipment, but they impressed with the available space compared to the competition. The new Sandero, although it has a more inclined windscreen, a lower roof line and a much slimmer rear, has grown slightly and has not lost its spaciousness. Thanks to the widening of the body, it was possible to save more space in the cabin, e.g. on the shoulders (+42mm). The seat adjustment range is also wider and there are more storage compartments, with a total capacity of 21 liters.

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There are two cup holders in the center tunnel, the driver's seat can have a captain's armrest, a hook can be extended from the passenger's side of the center console to anchor purchases. There is also more space in the trunk - now the hatchback can accommodate 328 liters of cargo (predecessor swallows 320 l). It is a pity that in the cheapest Access version the backrest of the sofa is not divided. There is a repair kit under the floor, and a fully washed spare wheel requires an additional PLN 700.

Much better ergonomics

The interior is a design to measure for modern cars. The dashboard and the central console took on interesting and ergonomic shapes. A belt made of sponge fabric runs through the board, which is pleasant to the touch. Above the geometric nozzles of the ventilation ducts located in the center, there is a storage compartment that cleverly turns into a smartphone holder, which in the richer versions is replaced with a touch color screen. There are more practical solutions. An adjustable smartphone holder can be attached behind the screen, and a USB port is located between the screen and clocks, which can be used to power the video recorder or smartphone. The second USB port is adjacent to the 12V socket in a wide shelf. Space for another 12V socket is provided at the end of the central tunnel.

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The driver's place is more ergonomic thanks to the new seats (the higher the version, the more adjustment possibilities), as well as the height and depth adjustable steering wheel. I will not comment on their comfort because during the first test drive I covered only about 80 km in them. I also traveled a bit on the couch and its seat does not spoil with length. As for the free space around the legs, if the journey takes place behind a driver measuring about 180 cm tall, the comfort will be quite good, unless you are some kind of tall man yourself.

In the central panel there are traditional knobs for the ventilation system at hand, and the air conditioning appears in a manual or automatic version. In the latter, the control knobs have a more interesting shape and displays in the center (they are like in Duster). However, there is no air conditioning in the Access base, and in the next Essential you have to pay extra for it. Finally, in Sandero, the end of the strangely placed buttons for lowering and raising the windows in the lower areas of the center console! Now the switches have the correct location on the door panels.

From poor to good equipment

As befits a budget car, after the Access version starting at PLN 40,900, you should not expect fireworks. Such a car received what is necessary and covered with homologation regulations. So there are six airbags and various driver assistance systems, including collision warning system, automatic lights, eCall emergency call function, cruise control and speed limiter. There is no air conditioning or radio in the base. The receiver appears in the next version of Essential.

If the customer decides to add a little extra, Sandero's equipment can be more than enough. The list of comfort-enhancing features includes rear power windows, keyless entry for the doors and boot, and even a button to start the engine with Keyless Entry card and keyless entry. There are heated front seats, a steering wheel covered with eco-leather, electrically powered mirrors with a defrost function, cruise control, a better 3.5 "TFT computer display, rear and front parking sensors, a reversing camera, and even an electric sunroof and blind spot control system.

Sound system and multifunctional screen

If someone cannot imagine driving without listening to music, there is a lot to choose from when it comes to the sound system and multimedia. Depending on your needs, Dacia gives you several options. The Essential version of the Media Control kit includes: DAB radio with steering wheel controls, information display on the on-board computer screen, fixed smartphone holder on the dashboard, 2 front speakers, Bluetooth connection, Dacia Media Control mobile application. From the Comfort version (or PLN 1,200 extra) there is a new Media Display system with an 8” touch screen including: DAB radio, smartphone screen cloning via USB cable, Bluetooth connector, 4 speakers, removable phone holder.

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Other multimedia possibilities require additional payments. For PLN 900 we will buy a Media NAV package including: navigation, DAB radio, smartphone screen cloning via WiFi, Bluetooth connection, 6 speakers (4 speakers + 2 tweeters), 8 "touch screen, removable phone holder, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Car. The slightly more expensive MEDIA NAV PLUS package, priced at PLN 1,100, includes: the MEDIA NAV multimedia system with DAB radio, navigation, Bluetooth, smartphone replication, steering wheel remote control, extended maps of 36 countries.

Diesel is gone, LPG is here

Thanks to the new modular platform, Sandero has received more energy-efficient powertrains that meet Euro 6D-Full standards. The range of engines opens with a 1.0-liter SCe petrol engine that generates 65 hp and works with a 5-speed manual. Right next to it, the TCe engine will be offered in a variant with 90 hp and 160 Nm, combined with a 6-speed manual, and optionally with a CVT transmission. The strongest in the offer and at the same time the most economical solution is the TCe ECO-G engine with a factory LPG installation with a power of 100 hp, coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 1.5 dCi diesel engine has been completely abandoned.

During the first test drive, I had the opportunity to drive a car with a dual-fuel engine. The Landi Renzo LPG system is connected to a 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a particulate filter. The power in this case is 100 hp (at 5,000 rpm) and 170 Nm of maximum torque (at 2,000 rpm). The performance here is just fine. The small engine feels quite confident already in the lower rev range, and the increase in vigor is noticeable after exceeding about 3,500,000 rpm. rpm The car accelerates briskly, but unfortunately at higher speeds in the cabin it gets loud. Highway speeds make it difficult for the rear passenger to talk to those in the front compartment. The 6-speed manual transmission requires quick shifting, but the ways of the gear lever are a bit sluggish. Twice when starting from a place I happened to put 3rd instead of 1st. Gaining speed is accompanied by the typical sound of a 3-cylinder, and after deactivating the Start&Stop system, you can feel slight vibrations at a standstill caused by an odd number of "pots".

Sandero has a calm nature and the lack of any sporting tendencies has a positive effect on combustion. The manufacturer promises an average petrol consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 km, and 6.9 liters per hundred when powered by LPG. During my first brief meeting with Sandero, I could not verify this. I do know that finally the on-board computer in Sandero can give fuel consumption and range separately for each fuel. Interestingly, cars with full tanks allow the driver to cover even about 1,300 km (tank capacity: petrol 50 l, LPG 40 l). Switching from one fuel to another is done automatically or it can be forced manually with one button.

After driving around the city, highways and snow-covered forest paths, I can confidently say that this small hatchback drives much better than the previous version. It does not require effort to drive, the power of support is optimal, the filtering of overcoming inequalities is good and you can feel the improvement in the effectiveness of side-roll damping. Improved cornering stability is due to a more modern suspension, longer wheelbase and a stiffer platform.

Summary and price

The new Dacia Sandero is a car for drivers who need a cheap but absolutely new car. After the first test drives, I can conclude that nothing in it has been complicated by force. The level of ease of use is high and even the finishing materials are hard for me to fault. Yes, the plating of the areas where hands usually wander are hard, but the improvement of the texture of the materials compared to its predecessor is clear. In addition, in the entire B-segment, plastic trim of the surroundings is now the norm. Sandero surprises with new practical solutions, a higher level of security and a nod to people who need to stay connected with their smartphone. The soundproofing of the cabin is poor, and driving does not evoke emotions, but it does not have to cause them at all. Not what is expected of this car. It's supposed to be a cheap, easy-to-use car. And that's how it is.

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Dacia Sandero is a reasonably calculated product for the global economic crisis. The price-quality ratio is the best in class B. How much do you have to pay for this still inexpensive, but not the cheapest car in Poland? In the basic SCe 65 Access version, it costs PLN 40,900. The much better equipped Essential variant has a price of PLN 45,900, and with a more powerful TCe 90 engine, it costs PLN 49,900. A nicely equipped Comfort is at least PLN 48,900. If we want an engine with a factory LPG installation, then we need to prepare for a minimum of PLN 50,900 (Essential version). If someone thinks it's expensive, I recommend looking at the price lists of class B cars from other brands...

2021 Dacia Sandero - PRICE LIST