Dacia Sandero review

You have to make your way up to range-topping Lauréate trim before the driver gets a height-adjustable seat, although it an optional extra on mid-spec Ambiance. Without this feature, fine-tuning your driving position is quite difficult. Making the situation even worse is the fact that the Sandero's steering wheel only moves up and down (not in and out).

The driver’s seat itself isn’t particularly comfortable, with quite a flat base and little bolster or lower back support. At least the pedals are well positioned in line with the wheel, so you aren’t forced to sit at an angle.

You get a good view of the road ahead in all Sanderos. The windscreen pillars are nice and thin, so they don’t obstruct the view out, and the window line is kept at sensible level to make pulling out at junctions and roundabouts that bit easier.

It’s the same story when looking over the shoulder. Again, the Sandero’s rear pillars are pretty slim and the rear side windows are tall enough to offer a decent line of sight.

Rear parking sensors are standard on range-topping Lauréate models and you can even add a reversing camera if you're prepared to pay a bit extra.

If you’re looking to save money by going for entry-level Access trim, don’t expect anything much. At all. You don't even get a radio; just a rectangular hole in the dashboard.

Mid-spec Ambiance models get a basic radio with a monochrome screen. It’s the sort of stereo you'd expect in a 15-year-old car; it's easy enough to use, but forget about sat-nav or any smartphone mirroring apps. However, you do get Bluetooth and a USB socket to charge your phone on the move.

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Range-topping Lauréate trim gets a 7.0in touchscreen system with sat-nav. It’s responsive, the graphics are clear and the menus are really easy to get to grips with – pairing up your mobile phone via Bluetooth takes no time at all.

You get what you pay for, they say. Well, that's certainly true when it comes to the Sandero's interior quality. True, there are some flashes of chrome on the dashboard if you go for Ambiance trim or above, but don’t expect much in the way of soft-touch materials or fancy detailing. What you will find is lots of hard, grey plastic, although at least everything feels solidly scewed together.

The range-topping Lauréate model features a leather-wrapped gearknob and graphite-coloured trim on the doors and dashboard, but it’s still a pretty uninspiring place to sit. A 'soft-feel' steering wheel is available as on option and makes the Sandero feel a little less low-rent.