Test drive: Dacia Sandero 1.6 MPI Laureate (Part III)

To wrap up the test of the Dacia Sandero 1.6 MPI Laureate, (see Part II)(see Part I) we now turn to the equipment and price of the Sandero. The price-to-equipment ratio of the Sandero is not particularly good, although the base version comes very sparsely equipped, the model we tested at a reasonable price (10,125 euros) is quite complete.

Price and equipment

The Dacia Sandero can be bought for 7,510 euros (the 1.4 Base), a model that comes without power steering, electric windows or radio installation (it doesn’t even have the pre-wiring), though it does include dual airbags and ABS. Obviously this version is not very recommendable, and for a little more we already get power steering (Ambiance trim).

But the version we tested was the Laureate, that is, the top of the range. This trim is quite recommendable and the price is not bad at all, since it starts at 9,050 euros (with the 75 hp 1.4 engine) and already includes fog lights, the centre console with silver trim, front electric windows, alloy wheels, front side airbag, among others.

The model tested also had the Blaupunkt radio (which costs 365 euros, not recommended as an extra; it’s better to install a different radio, as there are cheaper ones) and air conditioning, an extra that is quite necessary. With everything, the price came to 10,125 euros. It’s a good price, because it’s true that you can find cheaper or “better” used vehicles, but new ones are few, and in that space the only nearby option would be the Tata Indica.

On safety, the ESP is missed, even as an option, and the positive point is the front side airbags. The overall assessment of the vehicle is positive, provided we bear in mind the price bracket we’re in, and its space and day-to-day practicality earn the Sandero points, as does its design. We’ll have to wait for the diesel version, which will surely leave a better impression thanks to its low consumption.

The prices by version are as follows: Sandero Base 1.4 75hp 7,500 euros, Sandero Ambiance 1.4 75hp 8,450 euros, Sandero Ambiance 1.6 90hp 9,050 euros, Sandero Laureate 1.4 75hp 9,050 euros (recommended version for city driving), Sandero Laureate 1.6 90hp 9,700 euros. These are petrol versions; the diesel versions have just hit the market and are an interesting alternative starting from 9,500 euros for the Sandero Ambiance 1.5 DCI 70hp.

Thanks to the RODOSA dealership in Vigo (Pontevedra).