IN the past, buying the cheapest new car on sale meant living with some trade-offs. Whether that was a wheezy engine, a cramped cabin or flimsy plastics, there was always an overriding feeling of compromise at every turn.
This pair shows that this no longer needs to be the case. Dacia has rebranded its range to steer away from its budget roots and towards a more rugged image. Here we're trying the Sandero Expression, which costs £13,995.
Up against it is the Citroen C3 You! which is the same price, and almost £3,000 less than the next C3 in the range. Does it offer more for your money than the Sandero?
Dacia Sandero
MODEL TESTED: 1.0 TCe Expression
PRICE: £13,995 POWERTRAIN: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 89bhp
IN Expression trim, the Dacia Sandero comes with a host of useful upgrades beyond the base Essential spec. On top of its £13,995 asking price, our test car is fitted with the optional Iron Blue paint (£650) and a spare wheel (£300), bringing the final total to £14,945.
Tech highlights
WHEN the first-generation Sandero arrived, its low price was made possible by using Renault's old platforms and tech. The latest model, however, is right up to date, using the same CMF-B underpinnings as the current Clio - our New Supermini of the Year for three years running.
Denne historien er fra February 15, 2023-utgaven av Auto Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 15, 2023-utgaven av Auto Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
GR86 concept salutes Toyota rally heritage
TOYOTA has revealed a one-off concept at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
MINI COUNTRYMAN
Hey MINI, you're a smash hit with grown-ups and little ones alike
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
Hybrid technology isn't new, but it has been improved over the years, thankfully
BARGAIN HUNT
The new Dacia Duster and MC ZS are the UK's cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
WORLD OF VOLVO
We make a trip to Sweden to visit Volvo's new museum and experience centre in Gothenberg
Audi RS Q8
FIRST DRIVE We put updated flagship version of brand's range-topping SUV through its paces on road and track
BMW M135
FIRST DRIVE Hot hatch's facelift brings mechanical tweaks to help it keep up with refreshed competition snapping at its heels
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
FIRST DRIVE Large EV estate has the space that families and business drivers crave, but a big battery isn't always good news
Dacia Spring
FIRST UK DRIVE The UK's cheapest EV is made for life in the city, but how does it fare everywhere else? We get behind the wheel
All-new Renault Clio spotted for the first time
The 2025 supermini will be a hybrid-powered alternative to the just-launched all-electric R5