The Dacia Sandero – the most affordable new car on sale in the UK – has eclipsed every other supermini to take home the highly coveted title of ‘Best Small Car’ in the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2021.
Recently revised with a fresh new exterior design, enhanced equipment and an all-new interior, the Sandero fought-off stiff competition from some of the UK’s most popular models to take the prestigious award. What Car? names the Sandero its small car champion after being bowled over by its comfort, practicality and a specification that belies its attractive price.
On the renowned magazine and online new car buying platform’s decision to award the Sandero, Steve Huntingford, Editor, said: “Despite its bargain price, there are no obvious signs of cost-cutting inside the Sandero if you go for our recommended Comfort trim, which is also very well equipped. What's more, soft suspension makes for a relaxing companion at all speeds, rear space is up with the class best, and the Sandero has a bigger boot than any of its rivals."
Luke Broad, Head of Brand for Dacia UK, said: “This award is fantastic recognition of how the Dacia range delivers value for money without compromising on quality. The Sandero has long been known as the most affordable new car on sale in the UK and it can now also rightfully lay claim to being one of the best too. As What Car? has found, the all-new third-generation model takes the Sandero to a whole new level, offering even better value without compromise and allowing customers to enjoy an award-winning supermini for the cost of a basic city car.”
The What Car? Car of the Year Awards recognise the best new vehicles on sale in the UK across 26 categories. It’s far from the first time that the Sandero has triumphed in the annual ceremony, with the five-door hatchback previously being recognised as the ‘Best Small Car’ in its price point for an incredible eight consecutive years.
What Car?’s decision was influenced by its five-star review of the TCe 90 Comfort version, which boasts an efficient turbocharged engine and a generous level of equipment. Standard features include electric mirror adjustment, electric front and rear windows, body coloured mirrors, keyless entry, an eight-inch Media Nav touchscreen display with navigation, DAB radio and smartphone replication, plus automatic wipers. On the outside there’s also chrome surround to the front fog lights, plus parking sensors and a reversing camera at the rear.
In addition to the top-of-the-range Comfort version, the All-New Sandero is available in Access and Essential levels. The line-up starts with the Access from just £7,995, which includes such features as automatic LED headlights with Y-shaped LED daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels, front electric windows, speed limiter, phone docking station, Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and six airbags.
All-New Sandero customers can also choose from a variety of Euro 6D-Full-compliant engines and transmission options, including Dacia’s TCe 100 Bi-Fuel powertrain that pairs an LPG bi-fuelled 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. For the first time, the All-New Sandero is also available with automatic gearbox, meaning that customers have more options than ever before.
The All-New Sandero goes on sale on Feb 1, 2021. Customers can pre-order it now for only £99 and receive three years’ free servicing at www.dacia.co.uk