Dacia Sandero, Duster, Logan models revised

Dacia has comprehensively refreshed its entire range, with the Dacia Sandero, Dacia Sandero Stepway and Dacia Logan MCV all getting new front end and interior designs, bringing them in line with the Dacia Duster, which was facelifted earlier this year.

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The Sandero hatchback, its butcher Stepway cousin and the Logan MCV estate will soon benefit from new headlights, tail-lights and the addition of LED daytime running lights, as well as a new front grille, bumper and air vents. Dacia says the rethink “confirms the robust nature of the range”.

Improvements are to be found inside, too, with better-quality plastics, a new steering wheel and redesigned air vents. Ergonomics and interior storage are also said to have been enhanced.

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There’s a new engine, too: it’s a Renault-sourced, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 74bhp petrol known as the SCe 75. It replaces the entry-level 1.2-litre engine of the Sandero and Logan MCV – although not the Sandero Stepway, which kicks off with a more powerful 89bhp petrol engine.

Dacia Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV engines, economy & emissions

The new petrol engine will be available for Sandero and Logan MCV customers who choose a manual gearbox. It officially returns 54.3mpg and emits 117g/km of CO2 when fitted to the Sandero, representing a 12% economy improvement over the outgoing 1.2-litre engine.

The more powerful TCe 90 petrol engine, which is fitted with stop-start technology, can now be specified as an LPG-fuelled version or with an automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre 89bhp diesel engine – known as the dCi 90 – remains the economy king though, managing 80.7mpg and emitting just 90g/km of CO2 in the Sandero and Logan. The Sandero Stepway – with its chunkier, less aerodynamic profile – is about 7% less efficient.

Dacia Duster automatic gearbox

The Duster SUV was updated in June, getting the option of a 1.2-litre TCe 125 petrol engine and a new top-spec trim level, called Prestige. It joins the Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV in being available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, called EDC by Dacia.

The EDC gearbox includes hill-start assistance and will be available in Laureate and Prestige trim, with two-wheel drive and the 1.5-litre dCi 110 diesel engine only. Fuel economy is quoted as 62.8mpg while CO2 emissions are low for an SUV at 116g/km.

Design

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External revisions to the Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV models include redesigned lighting with LED daytime running lights, featuring a unique illumination pattern of three stacked rectangles. This distinctive motif is echoed in the rear lights.

The three cars share an updated design of front bumper with additional chrome detailing and a reprofiled shape for a more muscular appearance. This is emphasised on the Sandero Stepway, which has been visually altered to look more like the rugged Duster.

To complete the restyle, a new range of wheel trims and alloys has been introduced.

Dacia Sandero, Sandero Stepway & Logan MCV interior

To bring the Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV up to date, their interiors have been given a cosmetic makeover with improved decorative finishes for the air-vent surrounds and centre console. There’s a new steering wheel, too, with a soft-feel finish on the more expensive trim levels.

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Changes to the interior of the Sandero Stepway are more pronounced, with a new deeply woven seat upholstery for a more rugged look, while the interior door releases have a chrome finish. New upholstery has been rolled out across the entire range, including the Duster.

Equipment

An expanded list of equipment has been introduced across the Dacia range, depending on trim level. Available driver aids now include hill-start assistance and a reversing camera.

Detail improvements see the electric window switches relocated to a more convenient position, while a new centre console design features a bottle-holder at the rear, where a 12v socket is also now provided, enabling rear-seat passengers to charge mobile devices.

The Duster now offers DAB digital radio as standard on all models, bar the spartan Access trim, while rear parking sensors, part-leather upholstery and new 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels are available as optional extras. The Laureate and above can now be ordered with an optional rear parking camera, while the range of colour choices has been expanded, too.

The Duster Prestige trim builds on the existing Laureate specification, adding 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, sat nav and a rear parking camera. Dacia says this works out £250 cheaper than ordering those items as options on the Laureate.

Price & release date

The updated Dacia range will be available in UK dealerships imminently, but prices won’t increase, with Dacia saying it offers “the most affordable new cars in Europe”.

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That means the Sandero starts at just £5,995, the Sandero Stepway becomes available from £8,795 and the Logan MCV costs from just £6,995.

The Duster range starts at £9,495 on the road, with automatic versions available from £14,895.