Dacia Sandero 2021 review
Overview
The third-generation Dacia Sandero arrived in the UK in spring 2021 still wearing its old crown: Britain's cheapest new car, from just £7,995. But this was no simple facelift. The 2021 Sandero moved onto Renault's modern CMF-B platform — the same architecture underneath the Renault Clio — with a roomier cabin, 42 mm more rear legroom, sharper LED styling and a proper safety kit baseline including autonomous emergency braking as standard. For used buyers, that makes the 2021-on car a completely different prospect from the older, cruder Sandero: cheaper to run, nicer to sit in, and honest value even at today's second-hand prices.
If you're buying used, the TCe 90 turbo petrol is the pick of the range. The entry-level SCe 65 is a non-turbo that needs working hard — 0-62mph in the high teens tells the story — while the TCe 90's 90PS turbo triple pulls with real enthusiasm, returns an official 53.3mpg combined and is backed by a relaxed six-speed manual. A CVT automatic was offered on top-spec Comfort cars, but most used examples will be manuals. The TCe 100 Bi-Fuel is the interesting wildcard: factory-fitted LPG capability, 98bhp, the same boot space, and LPG running costs roughly half that of petrol — though UK LPG filling stations have shrunk dramatically since 2021, so check coverage on your routes before committing.
One honest caveat belongs in every used Sandero conversation: Euro NCAP awarded the 2021 Sandero family just two stars. The structure itself scored respectably for crash protection, but Dacia skipped the camera-based driver aids that rivals had, so the score was dragged down by pedestrian protection and safety-assist marks. For a town-and-school-run second car it is perfectly defensible; if maximum safety tech is a priority, cross-shop a similar-age Clio or Fabia instead.
What to check on a used 2021 Sandero: confirm the remaining balance of the 3-year/60,000-mile warranty, look over the service history (the Bi-Fuel shares petrol service intervals, so no excuse for gaps), and on Bi-Fuel cars check the LPG system switches fuels cleanly and that the 32-litre LPG tank's valve area is corrosion-free. The hard plastics inside are durable rather than fragile, but test the 8-inch touchscreen on Comfort cars and the Media Control phone-dock app on lower trims.
UK price from: £7,995
Specifications
| Engine | 1.0L turbocharged petrol (TCe 90) |
| Power | 90 PS |
| Torque | 160 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 11.7 seconds (TCe 90) |
| Top speed | 111 mph |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (CVT on Comfort) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | 53.3 mpg combined |
| CO2 emissions | 120 g/km |
| Boot space | 328 litres |
| Euro NCAP | 2 stars (2021) |
| Insurance group | 4-12 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
Features
- Modern CMF-B platform shared with the Renault Clio, replacing the old cast-off chassis
- LED headlights with Y-shaped daytime running lights standard across the range
- Autonomous emergency braking, six airbags, speed limiter and cruise control as standard
- 8-inch Media Nav touchscreen with reversing camera on Comfort trim
- Smartphone-dock Media Control system with DAB radio and Bluetooth on Essential
- Height-adjustable driver's seat with armrest on Essential and above
- 328-litre boot — big for the class — with 50:50 split-folding rear seats
- Factory-fitted Bi-Fuel LPG option on TCe 100: petrol or LPG at the flick of a switch, over 600 miles of combined range
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £19.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Oil filter | £8.99 | |
| Cabin pollen filter | £11.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £15.99 | |
| 12V battery | £79.99 | |
| Engine air filter | £11.99 |
Pros
- Unbeatable value: launched as Britain's cheapest new car, and three-year-old examples remain some of the cheapest low-mileage used buys in the country
- Grown-up engineering: the Clio-shared CMF-B platform makes it drive, ride and feel far more sophisticated than its price suggests
- Cheap to run and insure: TCe 90 returns over 53mpg officially; insurance groups 4–12 keep premiums low, especially on Essential trims
- Properly practical: 328-litre boot and generous rear legroom rival cars from the class above
- Full warranty from new: a 3-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty means 2021 cars bought used may still have cover left — and servicing is inexpensive
Cons
- 2-star Euro NCAP rating: crash protection is decent but it lacks the camera-based safety tech rivals offer — a real consideration for family buyers
- SCe 65 is painfully slow: the base engine's 0-60 time of 16.2 seconds makes motorway merging and loaded overtaking hard work
- Budget-grade cabin materials: hard plastics everywhere; durable, but it will not feel premium next to a used Fabia or i20
- Bi-Fuel infrastructure is shrinking: UK LPG filling stations fell from around 1,400 to about 368 — a Bi-Fuel bargain only makes sense if you can actually fill it up
