AND BREF
Citizens
New gasoline engine
From €16,650
The years go by and the Dacia Sandero remains one of the safe bets on the market. Better still, while the other brands experienced a complex year in 2022, the brand of Romanian origin continues to meet with great commercial success. Thus, last year, the Sandero climbed on the podium of the best sales in France, just behind the essentials Peugeot 208 et Renault Clio. But above all, and this is much more significant, it has confirmed its positioning as the favorite car for private individuals, far ahead of its rivals. And this situation has been going on for many years, whether in France or in Europe.
Like the brand’s other models, the Sandero has benefited from the recent light restyling.
On the program, no big change, but simply the adoption of the new identity of the manufacturer, which is characterized by a redesigned grille with in its center the new logo called Dacia Link in white color. A color that is also found on the tailgate with the name of the brand in full. The Stepway retains its specificities with its adventurous look including body protections. Another change: the color of the skis and roof bars, which becomes darker.
Inside, there is no notable innovation, apart from the center of the steering wheel, which hosts the new logo. The presentation is always pleasant and qualitative considering the price. Thus, passengers will appreciate the modern dashboard with a few color reminders at the level of the air vents and a fabric strip over the entire width, which almost makes you forget the hard plastics.
Despite its relatively compact format with a length of 4.09 m, the Sandero offers excellent roominess and a very interesting loading volume of 324 litres. But that’s not all, because it shows great intelligence with some very well thought-out tricks such as the modular roof bars which easily transform into a roof rack, the mobile phone holder or the hook, which allows the front passenger to hang a bag.
The Sandero takes care of the practical aspects with a few tricks such as the mobile phone holder located a little too close to the steering wheel, the hook to hang a bag for the passenger or the modular roof bars.
The punchiest Dacia
First of all, it should be noted that this engine is almost an exclusivity since it is only available on this Sandero and not for example on the Clio, but it is also present on the Juke under the name DIG-T 114 hp . In detail, it is a 3-cylinder 1.0 that develops 110 hp and a torque of 200 Nm. Compared to theEco-G, the increase in power is slight (+10 hp), but that of torque is more significant (+ 30/40 Nm). This is therefore felt at the level of the times with a 0 to 100 km shot in 10s against 11.9 s for the Eco-G, but this significant difference is also explained by the staggering of the box shorter. A choice which is justified by the availability of the torque quite high perched (2,900 rpm) against 2,000 rpm for the Eco-G. In use, the TCE 110 shows more tonicity, but it loses a little flexibility. Sometimes you have to play with the gearbox to gain recovery. Regrettable that the control hangs when changing gears.
Economically, we found an average of 6.9 l / 100 km. Indeed, it is 0.6 l/100 km less compared to the Eco-G, but the difference in the price of fuel gives a clear advantage to the latter. On the penalty side, you will have to add 100 €.
In terms of behavior, the Sandero is still as pleasant. No change there. However, it will be necessary to deal with average comfort, but nothing more due to suspensions which moderately absorb the irregularities of the road and which do not erase the movements of the body when the pace increases. Too bad, because this engine makes you want to have a little fun. Finally, the main grievance that can be noted relates to the soundproofing of insufficient air noise beyond 110 km/h, but also sound with due to the revving of the 3 cylinders. Engine which also generates some vibrations, noticeable especially at idle.