The Dacia Sandero might be the cheapest car on sale in the UK but that doesn’t mean it’s not without merit. In fact the Sandero is big, solidly built and features some decent engines, especially in this improved guise. The entry-level car will be too spartan for many but even the range-topper looks good value. If you’re just about to buy a mainstream brand citycar, supermini or family hatch, you need to stop right here and read on.

Probably the most important news here is that Dacia has finally pensioned off the old 1.2-litre 16V 75bhp petrol engine that used to prop up the Sandero line-up. In its place is a far peppier and more efficient 1.0-litre SCe 75 three cylinder unit. The well-proven TCe 90 petrol and dCi 90 diesel engines continue to be available across the revised range. You’re probably going to want them too as performance from the SCe 75 powerplant is rather leisurely, the rest to 62mph sprint occupying 14.2s. The TCe 90 derivative improves that showing to 11.1s, while with the dCi 90, it’s 11.8s.

We should talk about the changes made to this revised model which gets a revised front end design showcasing Dacia’s new lighting signature flanking a revised honeycombed grille. The interior’s smarter too, with satin-effect chrome finishing to lift the dashboard, a revised steering wheel and some softer-touch surfaces on upper-spec variants.

As for efficiency, the TCe 90 petrol unit is the zippiest and even that will return a combined fuel figure of 57.6mpg and emissions of 109g/km. The 1.0-litre SCe petrol engine that comes with that headline-grabbing price tag doesn’t fare quite so well at 54.3mpg and 117g/km but that’s not going to send many of you to the wall. Go diesel and you’re looking at 80.7mpg and 90g/km - a truly excellent showing.

So how will this improved Sandero fare? Pretty well, we think. Even if you do migrate to the comparatively well equipped Laureate model, you’ll still not be paying big money. Especially when you bear in mind that the opening price for a smaller five-door Vauxhall Corsa with air conditioning can easily be over £14,000. For more than £5,000 less, you get a top specification Sandero. Couched in those terms, the good news is that this Dacia is a bit of a no-brainer.

CAR: Dacia Sandero range
PRICES: £5,995-£12,595 
– on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 3-7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 90-117g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.0 TCe 90] 0-60mph 11.1s / 
Max Speed 109mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0 TCe 90] (combined) 57.6mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti lock brakes with brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4069/1733/1519