WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Dacia Sandero takes the best small car for the fifth year running.

• New Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Fifth consecutive win for Dacia supermini at What Car? Awards
• New Sandero now on sale with specification and design upgrades and a new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine
• New Sandero available from £5,995 on-the-road
• More than 90,000 Dacias sold in the UK since launching in 2013

The Dacia Sandero has been awarded ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ for the fifth consecutive year by What Car? at an awards ceremony in London this evening.

The Sandero first picked up the award in 2013, following Dacia’s entrance into the UK car market, and again in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

Having undergone a series of recent updates for the 2017 Model Year, the supermini has taken the honours once more, underlining its ability to provide a class leading mix of practicality, comfort and low running costs. 

Its shockingly affordable £5,995 price tag is just half the amount of the category it competes in.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero for the fifth time, Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car?, said: “You won’t find this much space for so little in any other new car. 

A recent facelift brought an updated, higher quality interior. The Sandero also feels better to drive: the handling is tidy enough and the ride is surprisingly comfy for such a cheap car. You can buy a Sandero for less than £6,000, but we recommend spending a little more to get mid-range Ambiance trim. 

This adds niceties such as air-conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. It also replaces the standard black plastic bumpers with body-coloured ones that look a lot smarter. At this price point, only the Ford Ka+ comes close, and although that’s better to drive, the Sandero is more practical and a fair bit cheaper.”

Commenting on the result, Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the Sandero has been recognised by the judges at What Car? for a fifth consecutive year. The New Sandero offers customers even more value for money with upgrades to the interior and exterior as well as enhanced level of equipment while remaining the most affordable new car in the UK.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The new interior and exterior upgrades for 2017 provide a more elegant and contemporary finish whilst providing the customer additional value and practicality.

The specific Ambiance version chosen by What Car? now comes with more features as standard such as air conditioning and DAB radio – it is the most affordable car on sale in the UK with air conditioning as standard. This is in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and remote central locking. The new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine produces the same power as the outgoing 1.2-litre but delivers up to 10 per cent more efficiency.

The Dacia brand continues to go from strength to strength with 26,499 new Dacia vehicles sold during 2016, it’s best-ever year of sales in the UK.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - For the fourth year running Dacia takes the Best Small Car under £12,000 award.

• Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Dacia supermini awarded for fourth consecutive year
• Sandero continues to grow in the UK with over 16,000 sold in 2015

Dacia has picked up the title of What Car? 2016 ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ with its Sandero 1.2 Ambiance hatchback for the fourth consecutive year.

First picking up the accolade in 2013 following the brand’s entrance into the UK car market, and retaining the award in 2014 and 2015, the practical and affordable supermini has taken the honours once more to truly reaffirm its popularity alongside the rest of Dacia’s ‘shockingly affordable’ range.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero for the fourth time, Jim Holder, Editorial Director, What Car? said: “If you're looking for budget motoring, it’s hard to go wrong with the Dacia Sandero. In entry-level specification it’s the cheapest new car available in the UK, yet it offers comfortable seating for four adults and a big boot. We’d recommend spending a little more on the slightly higher-specification Ambiance version, though. It adds several key creature comforts, including remote central locking, electric front windows and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes the Sandero much more enjoyable to own.”

Also commenting on the result, Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the judges at What Car? have recognised the Sandero’s qualities for a fourth consecutive year – especially given that starting from a ‘shockingly affordable’ price of £5,995 you can get one from just half the amount of the category it competes in.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The specific Ambiance version chosen by What Car? comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and USB connectivity.

Dacia continued its prodigious rise in the UK with another strong year of sales, with 26,267 new Dacia vehicles sold during 2015, up ten per cent compared to 2014. Dacia recorded 3.5 million sales across Europe in November 2015 since relaunching in 2004.

WHATCAR AWARDS - Dacia wins best small car under £12k for third successive year.

• Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Dacia supermini awarded for third consecutive year
• Sandero continues to grow in the UK with over 14,000 sold in 2014

Dacia has picked up the title of What Car? 2015 ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ with its Sandero 1.2 Ambiance hatchback for the third successive year.

After initially picking up the accolade in 2013 following the brand’s entrance into the UK car market, and confidently retaining it last year, the stylish, practical and affordable supermini has taken the honours once more to truly reaffirm its popularity alongside the rest of Dacia’s ‘shockingly affordable’ range.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero, Jim Holder, Editor, What Car? said: “There are cheap cars and then there’s the Dacia Sandero. What really helps the Sandero’s case, and boosts its value for money, is its huge interior space. There are few cars in this class that offer this much room for passengers and luggage.”

“It’s quick enough to feel comfortable in and out of town, and our True MPG tests have revealed it’s possible to get within a stone’s throw of its official fuel economy. Consider the fact that the Sandero comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and the deal looks even better.”

Commenting on the result, Andy Heiron, Dacia UK Brand Manager said: “We’re delighted that the judges at What Car? have recognised the Sandero’s qualities for the third year in a row – especially given that starting from a ‘shockingly affordable’ £5,995 you can get one from just half the amount of the category it competes in.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The specific Ambience version chosen by What Car? comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and an ECO driving mode, improving efficiency and fuel consumption figures.

Dacia continued its prodigious rise in the UK with another strong year of sales, with 23,862 new Dacia owners during 2014, up 39.2 per cent compared to 2013.