Which Dacia Sandero should you buy? We compare the cheapest model in the range to the most expensive

The Dacia Sandero made headlines back in 2013 by being the UK’s most affordable car, at just £5,995. Well, times have moved on somewhat, and now the latest 2026 Sandero costs more than double that sum.

You get rather a lot more for your money, though. The 2013 car didn’t have central locking, rear headrests or even a radio, but the new model is much better equipped.

Given you’re already spending over £14,000 on a car, though, is it best to save as much money as you can or to splash out on the most expensive Sandero money can buy?

Let me help out by comparing the bottom and the top of the range. At one end, we have the regular Sandero hatchback in ‘Essential’ trim, while at the other there’s the jacked-up Sandero Stepway in its range-topping ‘Extreme’ trim level. There’s £3,600 separating them, but is that extra money worth spending?

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Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Sandero: engines, performance and running costs

This one’s really easy, because each of these cars has basically the same engine. It’s a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, paired up to a six-speed manual gearbox. The only difference is that the regular Sandero gets 100hp, while the Sandero Stepway gets 110hp.

In practice, you’re very unlikely to notice a difference in how the two cars drive. The Sandero Stepway is a little taller, with more ground clearance and softer suspension – this makes it a bit comfier but it rolls about more in the bends as a result. Its bigger body is also likely to result in slightly higher fuel consumption, but only by a couple of mpg.

Regardless, both versions are pleasant enough to drive. The engine is a little bit noisy and vibrates more than the best alternatives, while the gearbox is competent rather than slick. But there’s more than enough power to keep up with traffic and when you consider that even the most expensive Sandero is still cheaper than the lowest-rung Volkswagen Polo, you can forgive its minor lack of refinement.

Which one should you get? Well, since you don’t get a choice of which engine you’d like in which version, it doesn’t really matter – but you shouldn’t opt for the Stepway purely because of that extra 10hp.

Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Sandero: interior and standard equipment

Here’s where things drift apart a bit more. The cheapest Dacia Sandero comes in ‘Essential’ trim, and by modern car standards it’s rather sparsely equipped. The outside features steel wheels with plastic covers, and you can only opt for white, grey or blue paintwork.

The dashboard is more striking, because it looks almost empty at first. You don’t get a touchscreen infotainment as standard, a feature that’s become ubiquitous in modern cars, and the Sandero’s dash feels weirdly unfinished as a result.

In its place, Dacia includes a phone dock and you can download a specific Dacia app to control maps and music. It makes sense if you think about it – why waste money installing a screen into the car when almost everyone who buys one will already have a screen in their pocket?

Other standard equipment includes manual air conditioning, electric front windows, LED headlights and cruise control, which pretty much makes it a limousine compared to the original 2013 Sandero.

Opt for the top-end Sandero Stepway in its ‘Extreme’ trim and you’ll have quite a different experience. The two cars look different from the outside, because the Stepway model has black plastic cladding to make it look more rugged – plus black alloy wheels and copper-coloured trim on the door mirrors. Roof bars finish off the exterior makeover.

Inside, you get a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen complete with the usual features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are even heated seats and climate control. Plus, the dashboard gets a nice green finish with more copper accents round the air vents.

Cheapest vs most expensive Dacia Sandero: my final verdict

Personally, I wouldn’t buy either of these cars. I think the best blend is to be found in the Sandero hatchback in its mid-spec ‘Expression’ trim – which nets you alloy wheels, the full choice of exterior colours and a central infotainment screen with smartphone connectivity. It costs just £16,415 with the optional metallic paint.

But if you’re choosing between the cheapest and most expensive? Well, it has to be the most expensive – because even with every option box ticked, the Sandero still costs less than £20,000. That’s cracking value for a roomy and comfortable family hatchback, especially at a time when the cost of living just keeps rising. You’ll pay more than £22,000 for even the very cheapest Volkswagen Polo, with less performance and less equipment than the Dacia.

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