Summary
  • Dacia wins a trio of highly coveted value-focused awards at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2023
  • Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car For Value’, Duster is named ‘Best Small SUV For Value’ and Jogger scoops the ‘Best Seven-Seater For Value’ award
  • Dacia models impress the expert judges from What Car? with their attractive pricing, generous equipment and practicality
  • Awards add to Dacia UK’s strong success story, having more than doubled sales in 2022 – an increase of 55% on 2021

 

Dacia continues to be the undisputed value champion after a trio of its models were singled out as being the best value for money on the market at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2023.


Awarded at the annual ceremony, taking place at Grosvenor House in London, the renowned magazine and website hailed the Sandero as the Best Small Car For Value, the Duster as the Best Small SUV For Value and the Jogger as the Best Seven-Seater For Value.


Following a flurry of awards for the brand in 2022, these latest accolades build on Dacia UK’s strong success story. Not only do they recognise the affordability of the Dacia range but reaffirm how the brand uniquely manages to complement outstanding value with attractive levels of equipment, refinement and practicality.


The recognition comes at a very exciting time for Dacia UK as it celebrates more than doubling its sales in 2022 with a 55% increase on 2021, its 10-year anniversary since launch and the arrival of its first hybrid – the Jogger HYBRID 140.


On awarding the Sandero, Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car? said: 

"The Sandero may be a regular holder of the ‘cheapest car in the UK’ crown, but there’s a lot more to like about it than just its price. It's one of the most practical and comfortable cars in the small car class, for starters. Plus, our preferred Expression trim comes with plenty of kit, and the Bi-Fuel engine has the potential to save owners a lot in fuel costs."

Steve Huntingford added:

"When shopping at the affordable end of the small SUV market, you might expect to have to make a few compromises, but the Duster proves that you needn’t fear being short changed. It combines its attractive pricing with plenty of standard kit and good resale values. And it's a very practical choice, with generous head and leg room and a large boot."

A true icon in the Dacia range, famed for its robust and rugged nature, the Duster comes in a choice of four trim levels – Essential, Expression, Journey and Extreme SE. Petrol, diesel and bi-fuel powertrains are available, as are the options of four-wheel-drive and automatic transmission. Generously equipped, standard features of the entry-level Essential specification include cruise control and speed limiter, automatic headlamps, manual air conditioning, daytime running lights, Emergency Brake Assist, DAB, Bluetooth and Hill Start Assist.


Despite having only been on sale for a matter of months, the Jogger has been quick to make an impact on the market and the What Car? team. Steve explained why it was named Best Seven-Seater For Value:

"The Jogger is the cheapest seven-seater that you can buy new in the UK by around £10,000, yet it still has space for adults in all three rows. In addition, it deals with lumpy roads well, while providing good body control over undulations to ensure that car sickness shouldn't be an issue. We particularly like the mid-spec Expression trim, because it brings useful gadgets, including a reversing camera.”

Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said:

“What better way to start the year than to receive three accolades at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards. I’m proud that Dacia’s unrivalled value has once again been officially recognised. It’s not only the price of our vehicles that has secured these awards though, as the expert decisions of the What Car? judges reflect the unrivalled combination of quality and value that increasing numbers of car buyers are seeing in our brand today. With last year’s sales up 55% compared to 2021 in the UK, it’s more apparent than ever that our commitment to innovatively redefining the essentials is really hitting home with drivers.”