New Dacia Sandero III: pictures, equipment, market launch The third Sandero means it more seriously The Dacia Sandero III no longer looks like Germany’s cheapest new car. It is becoming more modern and better – but remains below its possibilities. 09/29/2020

Of the Dacia Sandero wants to get away from the cheap home image. The third generation of Germany’s cheapest new car will hit the market at the end of 2020. The Romanian small car does almost everything differently than before: modern design, new assistants, current technology. The new Dacia Sandero closes to small car competitors like Mitsubishi or Space Star Ford Fiesta on. In some points, however, it falls short of its capabilities.

Dacia Sandero in brief

• Dacia Sandero: significantly more modern in the third generation
• New assistance systems: The Sandero gets Renault’s CMF-B platform.
• Engines: no more diesel for the Sandero III
• Market opening: end of 2020
• As a Dacia Sandero Stepway with more ground clearance and off-road quotes

Dacia Sandero III: assistants and technology

It’s as usual: The third generation of the Dacia Sandero also gets the technology from parent company Renault. It is on the CMF-B platform, on which Renault Clio V and Captur based. This brings more stability to the car and makes it safer. In addition, it serves as the basis for modern assistance systems such as an emergency brake assistant or blind spot warning in the Dacia Sandero.

In fact, the platform enables a lot more than Dacia installs in the Sandero – including a hybrid drive train. For the Group’s entry-level model, that would be too expensive a development step. Dacia is limited to the essentials for the small budget. Nevertheless, the platform change is an important step. Namely, a prerequisite for remaining competitive in the small car segment in terms of the range of offers. Because even with the smallest Dacia, more than just the competitive price counts.

Dacia replaces the previously hydraulic power steering with an electric one. This should reduce the effort required when maneuvering and save some fuel. According to the manufacturer, the platform also improves driving behavior. The new Sandero is said to have less roll in curves than its predecessor.

Dacia Sandero III: body and dimensions

The Dacia Sandero III is a little longer and significantly wider. At around 4.09 meters, it extends by 3.1 centimeters compared to the Sandero II (Sandero Stepway by 1.9 centimeters). In width, the small car has increased by 11.5 centimeters (analogous to the Sandero Stepway). The trunk of the Sandero is also growing. In the third generation, 320 liters of storage space has become 328 liters. The old-fashioned push lock of the previous model on the trunk lid disappears.

Dacia Sandero III: interior and infotainment

The interior of the Sandero is becoming more modern. The handbrake gives way to an electric parking brake. In higher equipment variants there is an electrically opening roof window. On the back seat, passengers get 4.2 centimeters more legroom. Those who sit in the front can look forward to seat heating. The infotainment screen grows to eight inches and tilts slightly towards the driver. In addition to Bluetooth, the smartphone can also be connected via WLAN. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the Sandero.

If you want to save money, you can do without the 8-inch screen and instead insert your smartphone in a compartment in the upper area of ​​the dashboard. The functions of the radio or the hands-free system can then be controlled via the smartphone. A mini infotainment screen, so to speak.

Dacia Sandero III: engines

Little changes under the hood with the model change because Dacia recently revamped the engines. All engines have an automatic start-stop system. The engine switches off automatically when it is not used. For example at the red light.

In the future, the manufacturer will couple the 90 hp petrol engine to a continuously variable CVT transmission. The diesel flies to the model change from the program. In contrast, the LPG gas variant of the Sandero remains. Their LPG tank grows by eight liters to 40 liters with the model change.

When asked whether the Sandero will soon be partially electric, Dacia’s experts react cautiously. Hybrid drives are more expensive than conventional combustion engines – that doesn’t fit the manufacturer’s pricing policy, especially not with their cheapest car. Dacia will tackle the topic of e-mobility in 2021 anyway, but with the Spring Electric, Dacia’s first electric SUV.

Dacia Sandero III Stepway

The higher Stepway version of the Sandero is also entering the third generation. As the Dacia Sandero Stepway, the small car exudes a slight off-road charm. The ground clearance increases by 4.1 centimeters compared to the regular Sandero.

A suggested underride guard and plastic panels on the wheel arches and bumpers make the Sandero Stepway look brawny. Dacia installs a railing on the roof that can be converted into a luggage rack. The system carries up to 80 kilograms.

Dacia Sandero III: market launch, prices

The all-round renewal is good for the Sandero. While the predecessor can clearly be seen inside and out that it is the cheapest new car in Germany, the third generation of the Dacia Sandero conveys a different claim. The car is modern (more) and in future it will be more competitive in the small car segment. The platform change opens up completely new possibilities for Dacia with the Sandero.

Dacia has not yet announced prices for the new Sandero. The predecessor starts at 7,301 euros. We reckon with a price of around 8,000 euros for the third generation.

Dacia Sandero III: Technical Specifications