Dacia Sandero
Debut: 2008 |
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When you see the Dacia badge, you know this is a cheap and outdated car designed primarily for developing countries. Apart from Romania and Eastern Europe, Sandero is also being produced in Brazil under the Renault badge. Before reading this short article, I have to remind you that we cannot expect the same level of quality, technology and refinement as class leaders like Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta or Honda Jazz (Fit). The Dacia is much cheaper than those cars. In Western Europe, it starts from 7500 euros for the base model. That is the same money as FIAT Panda, which is a class smaller. In contrast, a Ford Fiesta starts from €12,000 ! Sandero is a sister car of Logan, but it is not exactly a hatchback version of the latter. Although much of the underpinnings like suspensions, steering and powertrains are common, it has a shorter wheelbase (2589 mm versus 2630 mm) and a rather different look. In fact, it appears to be a bolder and squarer version of the last generation Renault Clio (Mk2). Most people would find it more attractive to eyes. Inside, the dashboard is shared with the facelifted Logan which we have not reported. Hard plastic is inevitable for such a cheap car, but at least the two-tone color scheme and faux alloy look better than dark plastic. Switch gears feel outdated, lagging behind the latest Western superminis by a generation or two. You can't get many gadgets to play with. However, the basics are there: two air bags, power steering, power windows, central locking, air conditioning… some are cost options, of course. Space is much better. You get plenty of headroom because it is a tall car. The cabin is also unusually wide, so 3 not very big adults can squeeze into the rear bench for short journey. The 320-liter boot is also large. Sandero offers 3 low-tech Renault engines for selection: 1.2-liter SOHC 16-valve (75hp), 1.6-liter 8-valve (87hp) and 1.5-liter 8-valve turbo diesel in two states of tune (68hp and 86hp). Both petrol engines are gutless and noisy. Only the 86hp diesel provides satisfying punch and refinement. The 5-speed manual gearbox has a rubbery gearshift. Running refinement is poor by class standards, blame to the lack of sound insulation. Both wind and engine noise are loud at motorway speed. In town, however, it is reasonably refined. To deal with rough rural roads in Romania, the car runs unusually high ride height and large suspension travel. This result in good absorption of big bumps. In cornering, there is a fair degree of body roll, but the tires offer good roadholding. What hampers its handling is not body control, but the poor setting of steering (too heavy at low speed and offers no feel all the time), clutch, gearbox and just about any controls. All these should have earned it a junk-grade rating, if not the low price saved it. However, if you can sacrifice the extra space the Sandero offers, a FIAT Panda is a much sweeter alternative. |
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| The above report was last updated on 4 Jan 2010. All Rights Reserved. |
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