Dacia Sandero vs Renault Clio: which small car is best?

The Renault Clio is one of our favourite small cars here at Carwow. It looks great, comes with loads of kit, has a big boot and it’s nice to drive, all while being cheaper to buy than a lot of its key alternatives.

However, the Dacia Sandero costs even less to buy, and it shares some of the Clio’s mechanical bits as well. So should you save yourself some cash and buy the Sandero instead? We’re going to compare their prices, value for money, practicality and driving experiences to find out.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Dacia Sandero vs Renault Clio: prices and deals

The Dacia Sandero is just over £4,000 cheaper than the Renault Clio, however the starting prices don’t tell the full story here.

The Sandero starts from £14,700, but the model you’ll get for this money is very Spartan compared to a lot of modern cars. You still get Bluetooth audio, air conditioning and cruise control, but there’s no infotainment screen or smartphone mirroring here, and you also get steel wheels with plastic covers and black plastic door handles.

Something this basic may appeal to some looking for simplicity, but if you want any modern creature comforts then you’ll have to step up to the mid-spec Expression model, which has an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and keyless entry.

This model starts from just over £15,700, which is still a good chunk less than the Clio. That car starts from just under £19,000, and gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

There are also bigger savings to be had on the Clio through Carwow. At the time of writing, you can get a new one for as little as £16,700, and the Sandero is available from a smidge over £14,000.

Dacia Sandero vs Renault Clio: interior and practicality

The Renault Clio may have a higher starting price than the Dacia, but it does feel more premium when you step inside. There are plenty of scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin, which you’d expect from a small car like this, but the dashboard is covered in soft touch material and everything feels nice and solid.

The dashboard design is pretty cool as well, with full-width air vents spanning the cabin and a modern-looking portrait-oriented infotainment screen. The Sandero’s interior does look a bit more basic by comparison, but higher-spec models get some fabric on the dashboard which lifts things nicely.

You can describe the Sandero’s cabin as feeling cheap, but by no means flimsy. It’s not pretending to be upmarket by any means, but it feels really robust. There’s an honest simplicity about it which is quite charming in its own way.

It’s more spacious in the rear seats than the Clio as well, with more space for adults to stretch out. However, for carrying cargo then it’s the Clio which comes out on top. It has a 391-litre boot, compared to the Dacia’s 328 litres of space.

Dacia Sandero vs Renault Clio: engines and driving

Both of these cars come with the same engine at the bottom of the range – a 1.0-litre petrol with a manual gearbox and 90hp. It’s nippy enough around town and it’s not too bad on the motorway either, although overtaking manoeuvres do require some forward planning.

It’ll also return in excess of 50mpg in both cars, however if you want the best economy then the Clio is available with a hybrid engine. It’s smooth and punchy, and it’ll easily do over 60mpg without even trying.

The Sandero also offers an interesting engine option – you can get one which can run on LPG. That stands for liquid petroleum gas, and it’s a cheaper fuel than petrol. It’s not as easy to find these days as it was a few years ago though, so you’ll want to check that there’s a filling station near you first.

Out on the road, the Sandero is really impressive for a car as cheap as this. It’s easy to drive around town, and it’s surprisingly refined on the motorway as well. You can even have some fun with it on a country road thanks to the low weight and sweet steering. It’s a great car to drive.

That said, the Clio is a bit more refined. You get a bit less wind and road noise at speed, and top-spec versions have adaptive cruise control – something you can’t get at all on the Sandero. It is a little bit firmer over bumps than the Dacia, but overall it is ever so slightly better on the move.

Dacia Sandero vs Renault Clio verdict: which should you buy?

It’s a tricky one to call, because both of these cars are simply brilliant and you won’t be disappointed with either.

If you’re looking to keep costs down to a minimum, the Dacia Sandero is a better option. It’s cheaper to buy, great to drive and really practical for its size. There’s also something charming about its rugged simplicity.

However, if you fancy something a bit more premium then the Clio is certainly worth paying the extra for. It looks great, has a lovely interior and that hybrid engine is a peach as well.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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