Sandero customer reviews

The reasons I have given my Dacia Sandero Stepway Extreme 2026 model only three stars are as follows:-

I updated from the previous model of the same car because it was soon to be wanting a test but found the later model was not a patch on the old one, in fact I think it was a step down.

The 'Here We Go' navigation system as fitted to the car that I have is not fit for purpose compared to the system in the previous model, in my opinion.

The female voice, which cannot be changed on my system is not clear, made worse with road noise at motorway speeds and in traffic. The display is positively anemic, grey on light blue, it does not stand out and I find the junction display confusing, fact I found the whole system so bad I installed Waz on my phone. Imputing a destination is not easy and there is no way input coordinates which I find the easiest.

The speed limit sign reader does not work effectively in that it will not read signs that are partially obscured or faded and it will read signs for side roads at junctions and beep all the time because you are on the main road and travelling at a different speed, that's if it decides to work at all, mine takes every other day off, (The camera is clean), because I have Waz I tried to turn it off but can't find a way.

The engine has more poke than the old one, just, but seems to be short of low range torque and will stall easily pulling away at junctions. The door mirrors I find seem smaller and the boot lid does not always shut fully unless slammed and it does not warn you until you set off and have to find somewhere to pull-in to slam it shut.

We regularly do a 220 mile trip to see our daughters and find we get back ache in this car and never did in the other but have not found why, the seats are different but feel reasonably comfortable.

The one good thing I have found, though, is the electronic hand brake is improved, the previous car would roll back when hill starting, I've not had that at all with this one, in fact I find it really good.

When talking to the salesman about my problems with the car I could tell he thought I was making a fuss over nothing but a couple of weeks later he phoned to tell me that others had had problems and Dacia were working on a fix but I've heard nothing since so perhaps that'll come in the next model in a couple of years.

To summarize, this one may not make one year, There are some very good Chinese cars coming on the market.

I picked up my brand new Dacia Sandero Expression from Pentagon Motor Group in Lincoln on 12th May. I noticed after a week there was some paint chipping on the bottom of the front valance, it looked as though it had been damaged in transit and badly touched in. The main dealer rectified it with a smart repair, so all good. I then discovered that the rear side door was out of alignment at the bottom by the rear wheel arch, so back to the main dealer with it. In trying to rectify this, they have misaligned the striker plate and also fiddled with the front door, which is now well out of alignment at the bottom by the front wing. The front wing is also slightly out of alignment. As the main dealer does not have its own body shop, it has to go out to a local one. I took the car to the body shop to be assessed, and they have sent an estimate to the main dealer. I have had contact with the main dealer on numerous occasions, and also with Dacia, and to date I am still awaiting clearance for the car to go into the body shop for rectification. Bear in mind this is a brand new car, and the 4th Sandero I have owned. I have had to do all the legwork with this problem, and have had to keep chasing both the main dealer and Dacia for this warranty repair. It is utterly unacceptable.

I have recently bought a Stepway Essential. This is the "Basic" model and even this now has reverse warning, road speed limit indication, a useful reminder , lane wandering warning, which you can over ride, I was driving down a quite empty country lane weaving to avoid pot holes and got a dash message " Focus on your driving" !. In 6th gear on a motorway journey I get over 50 miles to the gallon. For the " Basic " model I think is extremely good value. The only minor thing is the gear change is a bit "notchy", could be a bit smoother and to have a couple of other paint colours to choose. So very pleased with new Stepway.

This is the 6th or 7th Dacia Sandero that I have had and apart from one, which spent more time in the distributer's garage for repairs than at my property, I have been satisfied. I would though like to make some comments/ suggestions. I feel that Dacia has moved away from the original idea to have a basic affordable car. It is now quite expensive and has far too many unnecessary gadgets but not improved some important ones. eg the seatbelts can not be adjusted for smaller people, the radio was faulty, (perhaps now sorted with the upgrade?), poorer quality seat covering.

Bought this as we had 2 previous Dacias and found them excellent. We opted for the Essential as we thought it would be the simplest vehicle but found that there are more options so found it tricky to get used to them. We ordered (and paid for) a handbook as there was little info in the one provided.

We find the radio to be quite complicated, especially when trying to find favourite channels to save.

The main features which are great are the speed control and the air-conditioning.

Inconsistant connection with andriod phone. Either no radio or reconnection required.

The safety system does not like sunglasses. So either switch off during sunny weather or put up with pressing the OK button every five minutes.

The arm rest is a problem when changing gear. Poorly designed.

Gearing is tempremental causing stall at low speeds with stop and start.

I love the car shape , style and size and that it has power whilst only being a 1000c. Engine , hate all the “safety” features , can’t stand the bleeping find it very distracting when driving, have set promatorys to own personal settings to turn some of the noise off , hate that every time the system updates it switches all the music off very annoying

Returned to garage 3 times in first fortnight. Problems with error messages appearing on dashboard. Entertainment system kept turning off. Error messages for pollution filters. Error messages for tyre pressures when ok. Onboard computer reprogrammed and problems have eased.

Bought to replace a seven year old model that gave me no problems.

No nonsense straight forward no bells and whistles. I got what i asked for and i am happy so far with it. Maybe Slightly tinted windows as the sun is getting unrelented every year could improve comfort otherwise great. I don't do a lot of motoring but it is an excellent run around. Suits me.

I am impressed with the car itself, the 1.00 litre engine, the room in the car and the overall drive but I am not impressed with the infotainment as a lot of the time the radio doesn't work, the phone doesn't connect and the screen is black. I hope they update the infotainment soon.