History and characteristics of Renault Sandero cars

Renault Sandero - subcompact hatchback (B-segment) on the chassis «Logan» French car manufacturer «Renault» and its Romanian subsidiary «Dacia», produced from 2007 to the present. In most countries it is sold under the name Dacia Sandero, and in countries such as Russia, Egypt, South Africa, Mexico and South America it is sold as Renault Sandero. The engine is located transversely in front, the drive is only on the front wheels. The body is only a five-door hatchback with a shortened, compared to the sedan «Logan», wheelbase. As of 2019, there are two generations of Sandero.

Main competitors and classmates «Sandero» currently are Audi A1, Chevrolet Aveo, Lada Granta, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Solaris, Honda Jazz, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Colt, Opel Corsa, Nissan Note, Peugeot 208, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.

First generation (2008-2012)

The first generation was first shown at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 2007. In December 2007, Sandero appeared in Brazil, becoming the first car «Renault» produced outside Europe. In March 2008, it was shown at the Geneva Motor Show under the name «Dacia Sandero». Based on a modified platform «Nissan B» with the name «Dacia B0». The overall length of the car was 4020 mm, width 1746 mm, height 1534 mm, wheelbase 2589 mm and unladen weight 1025-1204 kg. Since 2010, a modification of increased cross-country ability called «Sandero Stepway» with increased ground clearance due to other shock absorbers, with a different shape of bumpers and enlarged wheel arches. The length of this model was 4091 mm, width 1753 mm, height 1578 mm and wheelbase 2588 mm. The cars were assembled in Brazil, Iran, Colombia, Morocco, Russia, Romania and South Africa. A total of about 440 thousand cars were produced.

The first generation Sandero was equipped with the following petrol engine models:

• 1.0 liter (999 cm³, D4D, I4, 16v, 77 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1149 cm³, D4F, I4, 16v, 75 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, K7J, I4, 8v, 72/75 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K7M, I4, 8v, 85/95 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K4M, I4, 16v, 105/112 hp)

Since September 2008, a 1.5-liter diesel engine has become available (1461 cm³, K9K, dCi, I4, 75/90 hp). The transmission was a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual.

The car's passive safety is designed to meet European standards. Depending on the configuration, there may be up to four airbags. Active safety is provided by the latest generation Bosch 8.1 ABS system, which includes EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and EBA (emergency braking system). European Committee «Euro NCAP» conducted crash tests of the basic configuration, the results of which you can see in the table. Model tests «Safety Pack», equipped with side airbags for the body and head and seat belt pretensioners, received 31 points for adult occupants, with other scores remaining unchanged.

In 2011, the Sandero was updated, slightly changing the exterior and interior.

Second generation (2012-present)

The second generation was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 2012. A new variant was also presented «Stepway». The car is based on the platform «Dacia M0», which is also used for «Dacia Lodgy», «Dacia Dokker», «Dacia Logan II» and «Renault Symbol III». It went on sale in Romania in October 2012, in the UK since 2013, in Brazil in June 2014 and in Russia in September 2014. The length of the car was 4057 mm, width 1733 mm, height 1523 mm, wheelbase 2589 mm and curb weight 969-1237 kg. Dimensions of the modification «Stepway» were as follows: length 4080 mm, width 1757 mm and height 1533 mm. Assembly was carried out in Romania, Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Morocco and Russia. By the end of 2018, about 1 million second-generation Sanderos had been produced.

The petrol engines had a capacity of 0.9 litres (898 cm³, H4Bt, I3, 12v, turbo, 90 hp), 1.0 liter (998 cm³, B4D, I3, 12v, 73 hp) and 1.2 liters (1149 cm³, D4F, I4, 16v, 72/75 hp). There was also one 1.5 liter diesel engine (1461 cm³, K9K, dCi, I4, 75/90 hp). Gearbox: five-speed manual, four-speed automatic or five-speed robotic «Easy-R».

In May 2013, the European Committee «Euro NCAP» has been crash tested and awarded a four-star safety rating, see the table for detailed results.

Restyling «Sandero» was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016. The radiator grille became similar to «Duster», installed new optics with built-in LED daytime running lights and new rear lights.

In January 2013, the British magazine «What Car?» awarded the second generation «Sandero» best supermini for under £12,000, a prize the magazine awarded again in 2014 and 2015.

Sandero 2, 2016 year, side view

Sandero 2, 2014 year, interior

Sandero 2, 2014 year, trunk