4 Minutes
Fresh look and clear pricing: Dacia returns to the UK spotlight
After a subtle mid-cycle refresh earlier this year, Dacia has confirmed that the 2026 Sandero and the tougher Sandero Stepway will go on sale in the United Kingdom with competitive on-the-road prices. The Romanian brand has updated the exterior styling — new bumpers front and rear, a refreshed lighting signature and subtle design tweaks — while keeping the Sandero's core appeal: a practical, low-cost compact hatchback.
Trim levels and on-the-road costs
Dacia is bringing three trim levels for the standard Sandero: Essential, Expression and Journey. On-the-road prices start at:
- Essential: £14,765
- Expression: £15,765
- Journey: £17,065
Those numbers position the Sandero as one of the most affordable new cars on the UK market, reinforcing Dacia's value-driven strategy.
What you get at each level
The Essential specification covers the basics for everyday driving and safety: air conditioning, electrically operated front windows, cruise control with a speed limiter, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, driver attention warning and the brand's smartphone-based Media Control infotainment system.
Stepping up to Expression brings nicer practical touches and more tech: 16-inch flex wheels, rain-sensing wipers, front fog lamps, electrically heated and adjustable mirrors, rear electric windows, a 10-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
At the top, Journey focuses on comfort and convenience. Highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot warning, an extended grip system for slippery surfaces, multi-view camera, built-in navigation on the 10-inch screen, wireless smartphone mirroring, a wireless charging pad, a large central armrest with storage and an electronic parking brake.
Sandero Stepway: the rugged option
The Stepway variant follows the same three-grade layout but starts at a higher price point to reflect its added equipment and SUV-like styling. Prices are:
- Essential: £16,065
- Expression: £17,065
- Extreme: £18,365
All Stepway models ride on 16-inch wheels and receive roof bars, protective body cladding and a raised ride height for a more versatile, outdoorsy appearance. The Extreme trim brings a distinctive Copper Brown exterior treatment, matching interior accents, exclusive alloys, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and a more comprehensive infotainment and camera package.
Engines and performance
Under the bonnet the Sandero range is offered with petrol TCe engines well suited to its urban and suburban role. The standard Sandero uses the TCe 100 unit, producing roughly 100 metric horsepower (99 bhp / 74 kW). The Stepway gets a slightly peppier TCe 110 rated at about 110 PS (108 bhp / 81 kW). Both are tuned for efficiency and everyday usability rather than outright performance.
Market positioning and rivals
Dacia continues to target buyers who prioritise value, low running costs and straightforward practicality over premium finishes. In the UK this places the Sandero against entry-level city cars and compact hatchbacks from mainstream brands, but its pricing and equipment levels make it particularly attractive for first-time buyers, fleet buyers and anyone seeking low-cost mobility.
Highlights:
- Extremely competitive pricing in the UK small car segment
- Practical feature sets that scale nicely through the trim ladder
- Stepway adds lifestyle appeal with SUV-style practicality
Whether you choose the Sandero for its headline price or the Stepway for its rugged looks, Dacia's 2026 updates sharpen the package without complicating it. The result is a simple, sensible compact hatchback line-up that keeps affordability at the forefront while adding modern touches where customers want them.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
atomwave
Sounds smart on paper, but are parts cheap and local dealers decent? quick Q — anyone tried one in real winter, snow etc? curious..
v8rider
Wow, Dacia still pulling off budget magic, didn't expect prices that low! Stepway looks fun, but how's the build quality? Seems almost too good to be true..
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