Citroën C3 vs. Dacia Sandero: the battle of the small, economical saloons

With the presentation of the new C3 in 2024, Citroën is making a big splash on the automotive market by offering a truly accessible electric car without compromise. In addition, the brand with the double chevrons has been able to adapt its thermal versions to offer more competitive prices, creating a gap of €5,000 compared to the previous generation. This puts the C3 in direct competition with the Dacia Sandero, which has long dominated the European market for small, affordable saloons. As it stands, these two cars have clear advantages, which I suggest you discover through this comparison.

Exterior design that makes a difference

With this fourth generation, the Citroën C3 changes its appearance by taking inspiration from SUV codes. The ground clearance has been increased to 20 cm, an important element for a vehicle that wants to stand out in the small saloon segment. The Max version is distinguished by standard features such as alloy wheels, a two-tone black or white roof and "colour clips" that allow personalisation at a lower cost. This SUV design gives the C3 a robust and modern appearance, especially when compared to the Dacia Sandero, which has a more traditional saloon look, except for the Stepway version.

The dimensions of the two cars are similar, with a length of 4.03 metres for the C3 and 4.08 metres for the Sandero. However, the Sandero benefits from a more generous wheelbase, with an extra 6 cm (2.60 metres compared to 2.54 metres for the C3), which will have an impact on the interior, as we will see later. This more modern and assertive design of the C3 could appeal to buyers looking for a car with a different personality.

These two saloons are sold at affordable prices: the C3 is available from €19,450 in the top trim level Max and the Sandero from €16,950 in the trim level Journey. The Sandero presented here has an Expression trim level starting at €15,950, compared to the C3's Plus trim level which costs €17,750.

Obviously, at this price, the Citroën C3 and Dacia Sandero are limited in terms of aesthetic gimmicks, even if the C3 offers more than its Romanian rival. You have to go back to the stepway version of the Sandero to find a similar SUV look. However, the Sandero's quest for cost reduction is more evident, especially on the tailgate, which is completely devoid of plastic, whereas the C3 has some, which helps to better filter out rolling noise. Similarly, the Sandero's fuel filler flap is a simple piece of sheet metal that does not lock, whereas the Citroën C3 offers a real, solid fuel filler flap that locks with the doors. Here we can see that the C3's search for economy is less noticeable to the consumer than the Dacia, which offers a cheap look on these elements.

An interior between warmth and economy

Inside, the Citroën C3 seems to have made an extra effort to hide the traces of production savings. The plastics used are hard, but the quality of the finish is better than in the Dacia Sandero. The C3 benefits from a lighter and more pleasant atmosphere, with Advanced Comfort seats and bright inserts on the dashboard and doors. This care in the assembly and interior design makes the C3's cabin warmer, even if the materials are still rather basic for this price.

The Dacia Sandero, on the other hand, has a darker and more rudimentary interior. The plastics are also hard, but their assembly seems less neat, with elements that produce a hollow sound, especially on the doors. The fabric on the dashboard and door armrests compensates for this sense of economy, but the interior is less warm and darker.

Overall, the interior of the C3 is more modern than that of the Sandero, especially thanks to the head-up display at the base of the windscreen, while the Dacia still has a needle counter. Another major difference between our two protagonists: the multimedia system. The Citroën C3 has a 10.25 inch touchscreen, while the Sandero only has an 8 inch screen. Above all, the quality of the C3's multimedia system is clearly superior, offering a more modern and responsive system. Unfortunately, the Sandero's multimedia system was not available at the Brussels Motor Show, so it could not be filmed, but to know both well, the Citroën wins by a wide margin.

The Sandero's wheelbase is 6 centimetres longer than the C3's, which inevitably affects the space in the back. Even if the C3 defends itself well, the Sandero offers a little more knee and head room, but nothing unacceptable. However, the Sandero still has the advantage in terms of boot space with 18 litres more than the C3, or 328 litres for the Sandero and 310 litres for the C3. The difference may not be huge, but the Romanian has a little more boot depth than the C3, while both have a fairly high loading sill with a lower boot floor.

In conclusion, the new Citroën C3 has convincing advantages over the Dacia Sandero. While the Sandero retains a slight advantage in terms of livability and boot space, the C3 stands out for its superior comfort, more refined design and more modern multimedia system. In addition, the C3's multi-energy range with electric and hybrid versions is a major advantage that the Sandero does not have as it is limited to petrol and LPG engines.

This static comparison is not enough to separate these two models and an on-road evaluation will enrich this judgement in the coming weeks. However, the C3 already seems well positioned to compete with the Sandero and should attract consumers looking for a modern, comfortable and environmentally friendly car at a competitive price.