Driven: Dacia Sandero

So what’s the verdict on Dacia? The cars might be basic in design – there are no soft-touch plastics in the cabin – but it’s not offensive in style. You get a decent level of kit for the money and you can add more with options and packs if you want. Similarly, you get a three-year warranty but can buy more cover if you choose to. It is possible to get the entry level car for £5,995 – the same price as a Ford Fiesta in 1989. The 1.5-litre 90bhp diesel is the pick of the engines; Renault technology that’s clean and fuel-efficient. Dacia is the right brand at the right time. I would say the Sandero and Sandero Stepway are going to find plenty of buyers in the UK over the next 12 months and beyond. Along with the Duster SUV, the plan is to shift 20,000 units next year, which would give it a one per cent market share and put it on a par with Suzuki. Based on what I’ve seen, it’s achievable.