• Dacia aims high with new Sandero

    by  • April 24, 2013 • Car Reviews, Test Drives

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    2013 Dacia Sandero exterior front left static

    The Dacia Sandero is available from €9,990

    How about a brand new family car for less than €10,000? Well that’s what Romanian brand Dacia is offering with its new supermini, the Dacia Sandero.

    A five-door hatchback, the Sandero has a pleasant SUV-like nose and distinctive looking curve-over doors.

    Inside, the cabin is roomy enough for two adults and three children and the seats are really soft and comfortable.

    Both front and rear legroom is good, and the boot is a decent size, and can be increased by lowering the rear seats.

    With this price tag you’re not expecting luxury but you never feel hard done by in this car.

    2013 Dacia Sandero interior front cockpit

    The cabin in the Dacia Sandero is spacious and comfortable

    Two specifications of the Dacia Sandero are available in Ireland, the entry level Alternative and the higher level Signature.

    Standard spec on the Alternative includes daytime running lights, electric front windows and an infotainment unit offering radio/CD/MP3/USB and Bluetooth.

    However, I think it’s well worth upgrading to the Signature trim where for an extra €2,000 you can have cruise control, manual air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, front fog lights and rear electric windows.

    The top of the range TCe 90 Signature model I was driving was very well specced and included an LG infotainment unit with Sat Nav, which advises of which lane you should be in – very handy for city driving.

    Like in the Dacia Duster, the buttons to operate the windows are unusually placed, with the front ones in the centre console and the rear buttons between the front seats.

    Another unusual feature is the lack of a cover on the mirror on the driver’s sun visor – which leads you to catching frequent unexpected glimpses of yourself.

    The radio in the test car had 12 programmed stations and the USB port was well positioned, high up on the centre console.

    Audio controls could be easily accessed on a stalk off the steering wheel column.

    The model I was driving also had a trip computer, which had a digital display of the cruise control speed, the outside temperature and mileage.

    2013 Dacia Sandero interior boot

    The boot in the Dacia Sandero is quite large

    The test car was a five-speed petrol variant with manual transmission and a manual handbrake.

    Our route for this supermini took us around the city, as well as on country roads and on urban and rural motorway.

    While the front seats in the test car were not height adjustable and the steering wheel wasn’t reach adjustable, I didn’t have difficulty finding a comfortable driving position.

    Small and light, with a peppy engine, this car feels good on the road and light steering makes it easy to manoeuver and to park.

    Although the Sandero is essentially a big city car, I was really impressed with how it performed at higher speeds, with swift progress of 0-100kph and beyond no problem for it. It also handled well on winding roads.

    Overall, I found the Dacia Sandero to be a decent, well specced car at a good price. I think it will appeal to those looking to buy their first car, city dwellers and drivers who normally find themselves in the second-hand car market.

    The Dacia Sandero is available in a range of petrol and diesel engines, with prices starting from €9,990. The Signature model I was driving costs from €13,990.

    Tech Spec
    Engine: TCe 90hp petrol
    Acceleration: 0-100kph in 11.1seconds
    Top Speed: 175kph
    Fuel Economy: 5l/100km
    CO2 emissions: 116g/km
    Annual road tax: €200

    Visit the Dacia Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details

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