The cheapest Sandero comes with a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre engine with just 64bhp and a five-speed manual gearbox. Dacia calls it the ‘SCe 65’. Mid-range ‘Essential’ spec upwards gets the option of the ‘TCe 90’ turbocharged 1.0-litre with 89bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic. There is no diesel, because diesels are complicated and expensive, but Dacia does offer an ever so slightly more powerful (but no faster) ‘Bi-Fuel’ version of the 1.0-litre turbo that can run on LPG stored in a tank that replaces the spare wheel. 

So far we’ve tried only tried the 1.0-litre turbo, as a TCe 90 in the regular Sandero and a TCe 100 Bi-Fuel in the Stepway. And it’s just fine. The engine you want, whether you choose to augment it with LPG or not. Feels peppier here than it did in the old Sandero. Whether that’s down to a recalibration or shorter gearing (the old car only ever had a five-speed gearbox, whereas the new car has six) isn’t clear.

Either way there’s enough power for the day-to-day, no annoying peaks or troughs in the power delivery (though it does run out of puff at the top end), it doesn’t make too much noise and the noise it does make isn’t unpleasant. The new gearbox is a bit whiny but smooth and easy-going and the brakes work (handy). 

Not in the least bit sporting, of course. Which is fine because the Sandero makes precisely no promises in that regard. It rolls, but the steering is light and easy and the ride copes well enough with Britain’s uniquely terrible B-roads. It’s very easy to drive smoothy, despite a hazy clutch pedal and poor throttle calibration.

All in all, there are no real nasty surprises here. It’s a tidy, comfy, grown-up car to potter around in with a deal more finesse than its price tag would suggest. Even works on the motorway, where the new Sandero is noticeably more refined and stable than the old one.

Dacia says the new, more rigid platform and new engine mounts mean fewer vibrations are transmitted into the cabin. It’s quieter in there too, thanks to more sound-deadening materials and better aerodynamics. While there is still more road and tyre noise than you’d get in a Fiesta or Polo, it really isn’t bad.