Car Review Dacia Sandero 2025

Review

I got the Sandero in early 2025 because my old 2014 Logan was falling apart bit by bit, and fuel at 60 UAH/L finally broke me. Wanted something new without overpaying for «premium», read that the new generation is more economical, the design is more modern, and the price stayed reasonable. Bought it from the dealership on a 5-year loan — my wife said «well, at least it's not a Lada», and off we went.

The first few days I was driving around grinning like an idiot — the car is silent at idle, no smells, pulls smoothly right away with no hesitation. Compared it to the Logan — that one rattled the gearbox, but here everything feels softer, the steering is lighter, seating position more comfortable. At first I thought «what if this is some rebadged Chinese thing», but no, it drives confidently, nothing falls off. The feeling is like you upgraded your life for not much money, even if it's not mind-blowing.

In the city it's pure joy — in Lviv or Kyiv traffic jams you squeeze through anywhere, park wherever, consumption 5.5-6.5 if you don't floor it. On the highway it's fine up to 130 km/h, beyond that tire and wind noise makes conversation difficult. Highway summer 5.2-5.5, winter 7-7.5 — for petrol that's a fairy tale after the old Logan that guzzled 9-10. Everyday life is convenient — groceries, kindergarten drop-off, work, everything quick and stress-free.

Recently we went four-up with wife and two kids for the weekend to my parents near Vinnytsia. Loaded the trunk with stroller and bags, kids sat in the back fine, only the older one complained «my legs are cramped», but we arrived without drama. A couple of weeks ago I hit a downpour on the bypass — water up to the doors, everyone else stuck, but I crept through quietly — ground clearance and short overhangs saved the day, nothing even got wet inside.

The noise really gets on my nerves — after 90 km/h you're shouting into the phone, have to blast the music. Plastic everywhere is rock-hard, already scratched from kids' toys. Heater takes forever to warm up in winter, first 10 minutes you're sitting in a hat. And those steering wheel buttons — you accidentally hit volume or switch off cruise control all the time, it annoys me sometimes. Trunk is smallish, stroller only fits if you fold the rear seatback.

Overall half a year passed, I'm driving and generally satisfied. The car is simple, no extras, doesn't drink fuel, hasn't broken yet. Won't say I'm head over heels, but for the money — one of the most sensible choices right now. If I had to buy again — probably the same, maybe just with a stronger air conditioner from the start.