Dacia Sandero III (2020 – 2025)

Reliability score : 8.8/10

Dacia Sandero III: The Rational Evolution The third-generation Dacia Sandero (and its crossover sibling, the Sandero Stepway) represents a monumental leap forward for the Romanian brand. Migrating to the modern Renault-Nissan CMF-B LS (Low Spec) platform, it gained significant improvements in crash safety, ride quality, and technological integration, while remaining one of the most affordable new cars in Europe. ⚠️ CRITICAL NOTE REGARDING DIESEL: You requested a focus on the diesel engine. However, as an independent automotive expert, I must clarify a crucial fact: Dacia completely discontinued the diesel engine (the 1.5 dCi) for the Sandero III. To comply with stringent Euro 6d-Full emission standards and maintain the vehicle's low base price, engineering a clean diesel was deemed too exp

✅ Strengths

Unbeatable value for money in the B-segment.
ECO-G 100 (LPG) engine perfectly replaces diesel with lower running costs and no DPF issues.
Massive improvement in interior space, comfort, and soundproofing compared to Gen II.
Modern CMF-B platform provides a safe and stable ride.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on higher trims.

⚠️ Weaknesses

No diesel option available for traditional diesel loyalists.
Wind and road noise still noticeable at highway speeds (above 110 km/h).
Interior plastics are entirely hard and scratch easily.
CVT automatic transmission dulls performance and can be noisy under hard acceleration.
Basic active safety features (ADAS) compared to more expensive rivals.

🎯 Verdict

Final Verdict: BUY The Dacia Sandero III is an outstanding rational purchase. While the absence of a diesel engine might disappoint traditional high-mileage drivers, Dacia's strategy to replace it with the 1.0 ECO-G 100 (LPG) is a masterstroke. The LPG variant offers diesel-like running costs, avoids the complex emissions equipment (DPF, SCR, AdBlue) that plague modern diesels, and is generally very reliable. Buying Advice: - Avoid the 1.0 SCe 65 unless your driving is strictly limited to city centers; it is dangerously slow on highways. - Buy the 1.0 ECO-G 100 if you drive more than 15,000 km/year. It is the sweet spot of the range and the true diesel substitute. - Negotiate if buying a used TCe 90 with a CVT; ensure the transmission operates smoothly without juddering. Overall reliability is highly commendable, largely due to the proven Renault-sourced powertrains and the lack of overly complex electronics.