FIRST DRIVE:When Renault's budget brand, Dacia, launched itself into the Irish market last summer, it did so with just 10 dealers and a single model, the Duster SUV.
Except it didn’t really even have a single model, as right-hand-drive production of the Duster didn’t begin until just last week, so all Dacia could do in Ireland was show potential customers some left-hand-drive demos, with an older design of cabin than would be arriving from the factory when Irish cars rolled off the line.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but with that astonishingly low €15,995 price tag (about €10,000 less than most direct competitors) the Duster has already been a success; it’s sold out until April, with 500 orders just starting to be filled. Just goes to show what you can do with a headline-grabbing price.
Of course, price isn’t everything and Dacia has come in for much criticism since the Duster’s launch for its attitude to safety equipment. Many reviewers were upset to notice the Duster (an obvious family car, don’t forget) doesn’t come with standard electronic stability control (ESP), and the Lodgy MPV (only available in Europe) was severely marked down by crash test experts EuroNCAP.
Second generation
So with the arrival of this, the second-generation Sandero small car (the first generation was never built with right-hand drive), Dacia has to prove that it can expand beyond the niche appeal of the Duster and take on the big (small) boys such as the Fiesta, Polo and Yaris.
Thankfully, a quick glance at the spec sheet reveals that the Sandero does indeed come with ESP as standard, as are ABS and brake assist. Why the standard ESP on a smaller car when the Duster continues to do without? According to Dacia, it’s because the Sandero sits on an all-new platform, so under EU regulations, has to have ESP as standard. The Duster, based on the original 2004 Dacia Logan, can get away for a while without it.
For a basic price of €9,990 (about €5,000-€6,000 less than most of the competition) the Sandero comes with four airbags, daytime running lights, height adjustable headrests, 60/40 split folding rear seat, electric front windows and radio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth phone connection alongside its standard safety toys, which seems pretty generous. Step up a level to the Signature trim and you get alloys, air conditioning, a trip computer and more.
Cutting edge
That basic model comes with an old Renault 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 75bhp, which looks alluringly priced but whose Co2 emissions of 135g/km will set you back €280 a year in motor tax. You could go for the 90bhp 1.5 dCi diesel engine, but we reckon you’re much better to upgrade yourself to the 895cc turbo three-cylinder TCe 90 engine. It’s not only cutting edge (a first for a Dacia, which usually just sticks with older Renault technology) which cuts your Co2 emissions to 116g/km and your tax bill to €200.
Quite apart from which, it’s a terrific engine, pulling cleanly from low revolutions per minute and proving both entertainingly muscular and really very refined. It would be an outstanding engine in any car, but in an €11,090 Dacia (€13,090 if you want it in the ritzier Signature grade), it’s close to amazing.
If you’ve owned a Renault in the past decade, you can amuse yourself for a few minutes by just sitting in the Sandero and playing Spot the Switch. A little bit of old Clio here, some Laguna there and a smattering of Megane over there. Still, the Sandero feels well put together and Dacia’s reliability record is generally very good. Space in the front is fine and there’s a 320-litre boot (with a rather high loading lip) but it would be good to see more legroom in the back. It’s competent back there, but taller passengers, or those loading up bulky child seats, will feel the pinch. There are a few rough edges to the quality of the plastics, and the seats are a little too narrow and perched-up for taller drivers, but otherwise there’s nothing to complain about.
Dynamic performance
That goes equally for the dynamic performance. Certainly, the Sandero’s chassis case is helped by the performance of that TCe 90 engine, whose 90bhp and 135Nm of torque help to cover up any holes in the cornering department, but the plain fact is that the Sandero is perfectly fine, if totally unexceptional, to drive. It rides very well, especially around town where it’s particularly good at shrugging off speed bumps, and on the motorway it feels planted and secure. On a twisty road, well, you’re not going to get up early to drive it for fun, but it’s fine, although the mute, rubbery steering discourages any attempts at enthusiastic driving.
The Sandero is an avowedly simple car, and in an era when car makers are constantly trying to surprise and delight us with yet more gadgetry and gimmickry, that’s a rather refreshing take. It’s quietly handsome, practical and quite fine to drive. With those temptingly low prices, and now without the caveat of having to worry about trading up to get safety equipment, it’s a tough proposition to argue with.
The lowdown Dacia Sandero TCe 90
Engine: 898cc 12v three-cylinder turbo petrol engine putting out 90bhp at 5,250rpm and 135Nm of torque from 1,800rpm with a six-speed manual transmission .
Performance: 0-100km/h 11.1 seconds.
Economy:Combined 4.9/100km (56.5 mpg).
Emissions:116g/km (motor tax €200, Band A4).
Specifications:From entry level the Sandero features electronic stability control (ESC), emergency brake assist (EBA), four airbags, daytime running lights, height adjustable headrests, 60/40 split folding rear seat, electric front windows and radio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth as standard. The second Signature trim level adds 15" alloy wheels, trip computer, cruise control, manual air conditioning and rear electric windows.
Rivals: Skoda Fabia 1.2 60bhp Active 5-door €13,320; Fiat Punto 1.2 69bhp Pop 5-door, €13,495; Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 Invite Cleartec 5-door €12,950; Nissan Micra 1.2 30 5-door €13,595
Price:€9,990 for the basic 1.2 75bhp, €11,090 for the TCe 90 as tested.
