The new Dacia Sandero is a supermini with a difference - its rugged nature and styling, combined with its fuel efficiency and bank-friendly price, make it a difficult one to resist. While there are undoubtedly better-known brands of small car available on the market, the Sandero should be on your shortlist if what you want is a down to earth car that is reliable, stylish and handles both safety and performance well.

Handling and performance

As with most small cars, the Dacia Sandero focuses more on fuel efficiency and keeping CO2 emissions as low as possible than it does on reaching 0-60mph in a lightning fast time. So while you shouldn't expect big things in terms of acceleration, you can certainly expect it to be zippy in urban settings and happy to cruise the motorways.

Safety features

It's safe to say that the Romanian car brand does not shirk its safety responsibilities and it comes with driver, passenger and front side air bags as standard.

How does it look?

This rugged little car is built with similar styling to the Duster, Dacia's 4X4, with black wheel arches (which are impressively large for its overall size) and bumpers, as well as chrome detailing on the exterior. And, while it won't handle rough terrain quite as well as perhaps its look would suggest, it will keep you feeling safe wherever you're going. Available in a range of classic and modern colours, the Dacia Sandero will reflect your personality and your driving style.

We're big fans of this economy supermini and know it will cause a storm among those car buyers looking for everything a small car should be - great value for money, safe, best suited to short journeys and urban areas, and good looking.

To find out more about the Dacia Sandero, or to book a test drive, please contact your local Dacia dealership.