Spanish buyers considering the Dacia Sandero face a choice: pay up to 2,800 euros more for the new hybrid or stick with the cheaper petrol or LPG models. The 155-horsepower full hybrid promises lower fuel bills and stronger performance, but its price now approaches that of cars in the next segment up.
This goes beyond a cosmetic update. Dacia has fitted the Sandero with the same 1.8-litre petrol engine and dual electric-motor setup used in the Jogger and Duster. The system delivers 155 horsepower through a six-speed automatic gearbox, with claimed mixed-driving consumption of 4.2 litres per 100 km. El Periódico reports WLTP consumption of 4.2 l/100 km for the sedan-like version and 4.4 l/100 km for the Stepway. Those figures put the Sandero Hybrid up against established hybrid rivals. Spanish automotive outlets report that the Sandero Hybrid 155 Expression starts at 19,890 euros, while the Stepway Hybrid 155 starts at 21,290 euros. El Periódico and Motor.es also report that orders are open, with first deliveries expected by the end of October 2026.
The price jump is hard to ignore. The base Sandero starts at about 13,500 euros, compared with 19,890 euros for the Hybrid Expression. The Stepway Extreme Hybrid, with its tougher styling, costs up to 22,690 euros. That is 1,800 to 2,800 euros more than the equivalent automatic LPG model and 5,000 euros more than the manual LPG version. For many buyers, that means choosing between a budget hatchback and a compact SUV. Current Sandero and Stepway Eco-G 120 models are priced between 16,840 and 18,840 euros in Spain, putting the hybrid clearly above them in cost.
On the road, the Sandero Hybrid lives up to its efficiency claims. Even at highway speeds, real-world fuel use rarely exceeds 6 litres per 100 km. Careful driving can bring it down to 5 to 5.5 litres. The hybrid system lets the car run on electricity alone for much of city driving; Dacia says the electric motor handles up to 80% of urban trips. Acceleration is quick for this class: 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h.
But the Sandero’s budget origins remain obvious. More road noise gets into the cabin than in pricier competitors, and hard plastics are widespread. Some panels creak over bumps. The seats are comfortable, though the fabric can get warm in summer, especially in the Stepway Extreme. The car is practical, with more rear space than many rivals and an easy-to-use 328-litre boot.
The Sandero Hybrid also has an advantage in resale value. Dacia models tend to hold their price well on the used market, often selling faster and for more than similar European or Asian cars. Owners usually keep them for years, leaving relatively few available second-hand.
For buyers, the choice comes down to how they plan to use the car. If you want an automatic Sandero with good fuel economy and would rather not look for LPG stations, the hybrid makes sense, particularly given its extra power and smoother lead. But for drivers comfortable with a manual who have easy access to LPG, the price gap is hard to justify. The hybrid outperforms the basic petrol model in performance and efficiency, but the 5,000-euro difference is large.
Dacia’s move follows a wider European trend: hybrids are no longer limited to Toyota. Renault, Dacia’s parent company, has rolled out similar technology across its range, and the Sandero’s hybrid system comes from that lineup. The hybrid powertrain is also part of Dacia and Renault’s expansion into models such as the Duster and Bigster, built on a well-tested platform, as eldiario.es has reported. As reported earlier, Volkswagen is also launching affordable electrified models to compete for the same buyers.
For now, the Sandero Hybrid’s basic rivals, including the Seat Ibiza and Arona, do not offer a true hybrid with an eco label, giving Dacia an edge. The system is solid, and the driving experience is better; running costs are lower than before. But the higher price is real, and only buyers who value the hybrid’s benefits will see it as worth the extra money. Unless a wave of ultra-cheap Chinese combustion cars shakes up the market, the Sandero is likely to remain Spain’s best-selling car, now with a hybrid option that asks buyers to weigh cost against long-term value.
