(October 17, 2012) There's talk in the U.S. that Tata Motors of India is finally going to bring its small Nano to the North American shores, which will make it the most inexpensive new car in the country starting at about 10 grand.

The most inexpensive car in the United Kingdom shows up in showrooms in January with a starting price of £5,995. That translates to about $9,500 in today's exchange rate.

And it's not a Tata Nano.

What has been described as "a new, stylish, reliable, five-door car, capable of transporting five people and their luggage, in comfort for It’s almost Christmas come early" is the Dacia Sandero, built by French automaker Renault.

Dacia proclaims, like everything the Dacia brand stands for, its new Sandero supermini is  “shockingly affordable.” In every sense. The UK’s most affordable new car? Easily. Car bargain of the 21st century? Probably.



From humble beginnings, the Romanian brand has gone from strength to strength since Renault bought it in 1999 and transformed its fortunes. For the last eight years in a row it has been the fastest-growing automotive brand in Europe, rising from under 5,000 sales in 2004 to shifting a mighty 350,000 last year. And the final piece of the jigsaw is the UK.

Sadly, in spite of adding ever more factory capacity, Dacia hasn’t been able to produce right-hand-drive cars for us here in the UK. Until now. Its Duster SUV is already off to an impressive start, both in terms of pre-orders and collecting its first national award with Scottish Car of the Year just last week. Now it’s the turn of its supermini sibling to enjoy the limelight before it joins forces with it in Dacia retailers in January.

Kicking off the jaw-droppingly priced Sandero range is the aptly named Access. At £5,995, no other new car comes close for the same combination of price, space and equipment. To get anywhere near it in terms of price for a similarly specified version of the Ford Fiesta, the UK’s current best-selling supermini, you’d have to delve into the archives right back to 1989. Who says everything in life is more expensive these days?

Far from being spartan, the entry-level version offers plenty of features, including 15-inch steel wheels, power assisted steering, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and even daytime running lights. There’s also pre-wiring for an accessory fit radio and speaker system too, which will be available to buy through official Dacia retailers.

It also packs plenty of safety features. Among them are ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, ASR traction control, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), driver, passenger and front side airbags and ISOFIX points in both outer rear seats

Its stylish too. Available in white, its chunky five-door body style is complemented well by its contrasting black bumpers, door mirrors and handles. The inside is nice as well, and marks a clear step forward for the brand in terms of design quality. The newest Dacia offers cloth ‘Element’ upholstery, combined with a smart, modern interior.

And don’t forget, it’s practical as well. Underneath its contemporary styling is one of the biggest boots in its class, at 320 liters (11.2 cubic feet) to be exact. Or, 1,200 liters (42 cubic feet) with the rear seats down.

For only £600 more, the mid-level Ambiance offers such niceties as radio CD player with fingertip remote controls, USB and AUX input, Bluetooth, remote central locking, electric front windows, body colored bumpers and 15” ‘Colorado’ wheel trims. Befitting its name, trading up to this version also brings with it some plush interior touches such as chrome surrounds for the air vents, instrument dials and steering wheel logo.

The top-of-the-range Sandero versions are called Lauréate. Dacia expects up to two thirds of buyers to plump for them. With three available, starting from only £7,995, just £2,000 more than the entry version, it’s not hard to see why.

Probably scaring the competition half to death, the range-topper not only looks great inside and out, it also comes fully loaded with equipment. With air conditioning, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, cruise control and electric rear windows as standard. In this guise, Sandero really does offer big car features for small car prices. There’s even an optional fully-integrated 7-inch touchscreen navigation and multimedia system for just £250.

The first, the 1.2 16V 75, one of the Renault Group’s most tried and tested engines, is on offer with every trim level. The even more frugal, yet powerful, TCe 90 and dCi 90, can be had with both Ambiance and Lauréate.

Three engines are available, a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder gas engine,  a turbocharged 3-cylinder making 109 horsepower and a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel.