Story: DAVID WILKINS
CASH-STRAPPED small businesses, desperate for a new company car bargain, have had their prayers answered.
The new Dacia Sandero, a roomy five-door supermini, will have a starting price of £5,995, undercutting models from rival brands by several thousand pounds.
And if you’re worried about spending money on a company car with a badge you’ve never heard of before – don’t, because Dacia, which is originally Romanian, has been controlled by Renault since 1999.
So just what do you get for £5,995?
Well the kit list for the lowest Access trim won’t excite many company car drivers. There are important basics like power steering, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and daytime running lights – but not much else. There isn’t even a standard radio, although the car is pre-wired for one that can be fitted at the dealer.
On the other hand, there’s no stinting on engines or safety equipment. The base car gets the same 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as many of Renault’s own small cars, and all Sanderos get ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control, front and side airbags and ISOFIX points for the outer rear seats.
The Dacia Sandero keeps its value-for-money pricing as you move up through the range as well. Even a top-of-the-range Laureate model with Renault’s company car tax-friendly 99g/km 74.3 mpg 1.5-litre diesel engine, as well as Bluetooth, air-con and cruise control, still comes in at only £9,795. Options such as built-in sat-nav at £250 and leather at £600 are good value as well.
The engine line-up is completed with a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, a real gem that has just appeared for the first time in Renault’s latest Clio, and delivers 120g/km and 54.3 mpg.
A Sandero with this engine and mid-range Ambiance trim costs just £7,395 and gives you a radio/CD player, USB and AUX inputs, Bluetooth, remote central locking and electric front windows and a company car tax banding of 15%..
Dacia Sandero prices and company car tax bands
| Trim level | Engine | CO2 emissions | MPG (combined) | Company car tax band | On-the-road price |
| Access | 1.2 16V 75 | 137 | 47.9 | 18% | £5,995 |
| Ambiance | 1.2 16V 75 | 137 | 47.9 | 18% | £6,595 |
| 0.9 TCe 90 | 120 | 54.3 | 15% | £7,395 | |
| 1.5 dCi 90 | 99 | 74.3 | 13% | £8,395 | |
| Lauréate | 1.2 16V 75 | 137 | 47.9 | 18% | £7,995 |
| 0.9 TCe 90 | 120 | 54.3 | 15% | £8,795 | |
| 1.5 dCi 90 | 99 | 74.3 | 13% | £9,795 |
The standard Dacia warranty is 3 years/60,000 miles with free roadside assistance included for peace of mind company car management. There are also 5 year/60,000 miles and 7 year/100,000 miles upgrades costing £395 and £850.
Cars can be pre-ordered from 22 October and the Sandero will arrive in Dacia showrooms in January 2013, alongside Dacia’s Duster SUV, which has a starting price of £8,995.
For SMEs on a budget, a Dacia on the company car policy could provide a welcome respite from rising running costs.
