How to spec a Dacia Sandero

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback that is the manufacturer's entry-level model. It is also the cheapest new car on sale in the UK, with prices starting at just 5995.

However, buying a budget-priced Sandero doesn't mean you have to go without all creature comforts. Here's our guide to speccing a Sandero without losing the most attractive feature its price.

Which engine should you go for?
Buyers can choose from three engines. There is a 1.5-litre diesel unit that offers decent fuel economy, but is noisy and unrefined. There are also two petrols: the entry-level 1.2-litre and a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

All models have stable steering and are capable on the motorway. However, all the engines are noisy and there is plenty of wind- and tyre noise at speed.

The 1.2 petrol is our pick of the range. It produces 74bhp and gets from 0-62mph in a steady 14.5 seconds. It has average economy 48.7mpg and emits 135g/km of CO2.

Which trim should you go for?
Three trims are available: Access, Ambiance and Laureate. Entry-level Access trim is best avoided it doesn't even get a radio or remote central locking. It really is the most basic and it shows in the big black bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors

Ambiance gets remote locking, electric front windows, Bluetooth and body-coloured bumpers. Laureate adds air-conditioning, electric rear windows and cruise control.

Our pick is the Ambiance version. You do without height-adjustable seats, electric rear windows and air-conditioning (which is not even available as an option) but it does meet the most important requirement when speccing a Sandero it keeps the price down.

Which options should you pick?
If you go with the Ambiance, there are only a few options available: metallic paint, alloy wheels, emergency spare wheel, protection pack (which adds rear parking sensors) and touring pack. We wouldn't recommend any of them as must-have additions.

Air-conditioning doesn't even appear on the options list it is available only on top-level Laureate trim, which is too pricey for the Sandero.

If you want to improve the looks of your Sandero, you might want to add alloy wheels, but we would do without.

All cars come with traction control and four airbags.

We recommend
Dacia Sandero 1.2 16v 75 Ambiance

Options:
None

Total price:
Dacia Sandero 1.2 16v 75 Ambiance - 6595

What should you pay?
Dacia is not offering discounts on its cars, saying that the prices are low enough already. The price on the sticker is the price you pay.

Read the full Dacia Sandero review >>

By Matthew Burrow