Dacia refreshes Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Spring EV for 2026, trims prices as upgrades arrive

Dacia, the budget car brand owned by Renault, has confirmed updates to its three cheapest models for 2026, delivering improved styling, new technology and lower price tags for petrol and electric buyers. The Sandero, already the least expensive new petrol car on the market, receives a mild facelift along with the Sandero Stepway crossover and the Spring electric vehicle, as the trio heads into the 2026 model year with a focus on value.

The refreshed Sandero and Sandero Stepway bring a redesigned front fascia featuring inverted-T LED headlights and reshaped bumpers, aimed at giving the trio a more robust and modern look. The changes extend to the rear as well, where the bumper has been redesigned to complete the stronger all-around stance. Inside, Dacia has mounted a larger 10-inch multimedia screen across both models, up from 8 inches in the previous generation, with improved connectivity and wireless phone charging to better align with modern infotainment expectations. Under the skin, the brand says it has tuned the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder TCe 100 petrol engine to be more responsive for everyday driving, a move designed to improve acceleration and in-traffic performance without sacrificing efficiency. The Stepway, which sits higher off the road, also gains advanced driver assistance features that are new to the lineup, including a multiview camera and blind-spot warning to aid urban and highway driving. In addition to these tech updates, the Stepway gains a touch of luxury-like comfort with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry, bringing some convenience features more commonly found in higher-margin segments to a budget-friendly model.

The Sandero line retains three trims—Essential as the entry point, Expression as the mid-range, and Journey as the top level—while the Sandero Stepway line shifts its top trim from Journey to Extreme to reflect its more rugged positioning. Pricing confirms the overall value proposition remains intact even as the cars gain more features. The Sandero Essential is listed at £14,765, with the Expression at £15,765 and the Journey at £17,065. The Stepway lineup mirrors that stepped approach, with Essential at £16,065, Expression at £17,065 and Extreme at £18,365. Notably, the new Essential Sandero now carries a lower price than the old-era entry-level Expression, illustrating how Dacia is attempting to broaden the appeal of its cheapest cars while delivering more standard equipment.

Dacia’s Sandero has long been a pillar of Europe’s budget-car market. It has held the title of Europe’s best-selling retail car since 2017, and in 2024 it became the first Dacia model to surpass 300,000 units in a single year, tallying 309,392 registrations, a 14.5% year-over-year increase that included the Sandero Stepway component in roughly two-thirds of the total. With the 2026 refresh, Dacia aims to keep the model family competitive against rivals in a market where affordability remains a key driver for many buyers.

The 2026 Spring EV, the brand’s smallest electric vehicle, also receives a comprehensive refresh. Dacia has redesigned the chassis, retuned the suspension and upgraded the braking system to improve stability and composure under a wider range of daily driving conditions. While the physical changes seek to make the car feel more secure and confident, the big technical upgrade centers on powertrains and charging. The Spring will now be offered with two electric motors—70 horsepower and 100 horsepower—with acceleration figures that show marked improvement: the 70-hp version can reach 62 mph in about 12.3 seconds, while the 100-hp version can manage the sprint in roughly 9.6 seconds. The range remains capped at about 140 miles on a full charge, reflecting the car’s city-focused remit, but charging times have been slashed thanks to a new 40 kW onboard DC charger that can move the battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 29 minutes, a substantial improvement over the previous model.

To keep the economics of ownership attractive, the Spring’s battery uses Renault Group’s new LFP technology, and the model now ships with a 24.3 kWh pack. The reliability of the official range figure is driven by WLTP testing, and in real-world use buyers should expect a similar efficiency ceiling as the outgoing model. The new Spring Electric comes in two trims at market-competitive prices, with the Expression Electric 70 Spring priced at £12,240 and the Extreme Electric 100 priced at £13,240. The base Spring, which previously carried a higher sticker price, remains available at £14,995 before grant. Crucially, the Spring Electric models are eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, which is reflected in the On-The-Road prices listed by Dacia. Order books are open now, with first customer deliveries planned for spring 2026.

The price positioning of the 2026 Spring, Sandero and Sandero Stepway is consistent with Dacia’s overarching strategy: maximize value through better equipment, practical upgrades and affordable pricing, aided by government incentives that help maintain affordability for EV buyers. Renault Group, which owns Dacia, has emphasized the importance of offering low-cost vehicles that still deliver modern conveniences and safety features, a formula that has sustained Dacia’s appeal in many European markets during a period of evolving compliance standards and consumer expectations.

Analysts say the 2026 lineup could further broaden Dacia’s audience by attracting first-time car buyers and cost-conscious fleets who are looking for compact, city-friendly models with reasonable running costs. While the upgrades do not reposition Dacia in the premium space, they reinforce a market niche where customers want modern tech, reliable warranties and transparent pricing without the premium that often accompanies new features in more expensive brands.

The company has not signaled any plans to raise prices beyond what the updated trims already reflect, and the grants for EV buyers should continue to provide a meaningful offset against the sticker price for the Spring Electric line. For 2026, Dacia’s refreshed trio—Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Spring—will be on sale across Europe, with UK deliveries beginning in the spring. The strategy aligns with a broader industry emphasis on practical, value-driven product lines that prioritize efficiency, accessibility and everyday usability over luxury branding.