Renault Sandero

Which Renault Sandero Version Should You Buy?

The Renault Sandero in this catalogue is a front-wheel-drive, five-door hatchback offered across the first generation, second generation, and its restyling. The choice is mainly between lower-powered manual versions, more powerful 1.6-litre manuals, and automatic or robotic alternatives.

The Renault Sandero in this catalogue is a front-wheel-drive, five-door hatchback offered across the first generation, second generation, and its restyling. The choice is mainly between lower-powered manual versions, more powerful 1.6-litre manuals, and automatic or robotic alternatives. On the supplied figures, the restyled 1.6 MT with 113 hp is the strongest performance choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, tops out at 177 km/h, and consumes 6.6 l/100 km combined. Buyers prioritizing fuel economy should also consider the second-generation 1.2 MT, rated at 6.0 l/100 km combined, while those wanting an automatic gearbox can compare the 1.6 AT versions with the more economical restyled 1.6 CVT.

Renault Sandero generations compared

The first generation ran from November 2009 through August 2014. It is a Hatchback 5-door with seven listed versions: 1.4 MT, three distinct 1.6 MT entries, 1.5 MT, and two distinct 1.6 AT entries. Its engines span 70–103 hp, while ground clearance is either 155 or 175 mm. This generation provides the catalogue’s only Diesel option, the 70 hp 1.5 MT, as well as Gasoline engines with 75, 84, or 103 hp.

The second generation ran from September 2012 through December 2018. It remains a Hatchback 5-door and has eleven listed versions. The range includes 1.2 MT, several 1.6 MT specifications, 1.6 AT, and 1.6 EDC. Output spans 75–113 hp. Depending on the version, ground clearance is 155 or 195 mm. Compared with the first-generation maximum, the second generation’s strongest 1.6 MT adds 10 hp while matching the 180 km/h top speed of the fastest first-generation car.

The second-generation restyling began in July 2018 and remains part of the second generation rather than constituting another generation. It has five listed versions, all using a 1598 cc Gasoline engine: three specifications called 1.6 MT, one 1.6 AT, and one 1.6 CVT. Outputs are 82, 102, or 113 hp, and ground clearance ranges from 155 to 195 mm.

Renault Sandero engine specs

Repeated version names are distinguished below by generation, output, and—where necessary—performance or clearance.

The 113 hp 1598 cc engines produce about 70.7 hp per litre. The 103 hp 1598 cc engines deliver about 64.5 hp per litre, the 102 hp versions about 63.8 hp per litre, and the 82 hp versions about 51.3 hp per litre. The 75 hp 1149 cc 1.2 MT reaches about 65.3 hp per litre, giving it a higher specific output than every listed 1.6-litre engine except the 113 hp specification.

Renault Sandero performance, mpg and fuel economy

Among versions with measured consumption, the second-generation 1.2 MT has the lowest combined figure at 6.0 l/100 km. The 113 hp 1.6 MT at 6.6 l/100 km uses only 0.6 l/100 km more while cutting the 0–100 km/h time by 3.8 seconds and raising top speed by 21 km/h. The restyled 1.6 CVT consumes 6.7 l/100 km combined, which is 1.7 l/100 km less than the restyled 1.6 AT while adding 11 hp and 7 Nm.

Renault Sandero dimensions, weight and ground clearance

Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Kerb weight ranges from 975 kg for the first-generation 1.4 MT to 1165 kg for several second-generation versions. Gross weight ranges from 1470 to 1615 kg among versions for which it is measured; the first-generation 1.5 MT gross weight is not measured.

Every listed version has a 50-litre fuel tank. Ground clearance ranges from 155 to 195 mm. The first generation offers either 155 or 175 mm, while the second generation and its restyling include 155 and 195 mm configurations; the restyled 1.6 CVT has 178 mm.

Wheel sizes are measured only for selected first-generation cars. The 1.4 MT lists 165/80 R14 and 185/70 R14. The 84 hp 1.6 MT with 155 mm clearance lists 165/80 R14 and 185/65 R15. The 103 hp 1.6 MT and the 103 hp 1.6 AT with 155 mm clearance list 165/80 R14, 185/70 R14, and 185/65 R15. Wheel sizes for every other version are not measured.

Weight per horsepower helps separate versions sharing the same engine name. The 1119 kg, 113 hp second-generation and restyled 1.6 MT specifications carry about 9.9 kg per hp. The 1104 kg, 102 hp second-generation 1.6 MT carries about 10.8 kg per hp. The 975 kg, 75 hp first-generation 1.4 MT carries 13.0 kg per hp, while the 1025 kg, 70 hp 1.5 MT carries about 14.6 kg per hp.

Reliability, problems and what the data can establish

The supplied specifications contain no reliability records, maintenance history, fault rates, engine-light diagnoses, oil requirements, parts data, or repair prices. Reliability and common problems therefore cannot be assessed from this catalogue entry. The data can compare mechanical layouts: all versions are FWD hatchbacks with independent spring front suspension and semi-independent spring rear suspension. First-generation cars have front disc brakes, while the second generation and restyling have ventilated front discs; every listed version has rear drum brakes.

Which Renault Sandero version to buy and why

For the strongest all-round numerical result, choose the second-generation or restyled 1.6 MT with 113 hp, 152 Nm, 155 mm clearance, and a 1119 kg kerb weight. Both reach 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, achieve 177 km/h, and return 6.6 l/100 km combined. They provide the best listed weight-to-power ratio and are 3.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the restyled 82 hp 1.6 MT with the same 155 mm clearance.

For maximum clearance without giving up the 113 hp engine, choose the second-generation 1.6 MT with 113 hp and 195 mm clearance. It has 40 mm more clearance than the 155 mm version. The trade-off is a 42 kg higher kerb weight, acceleration that is 0.4 seconds slower, a top speed lower by 5 km/h, and combined consumption higher by 0.3 l/100 km.

For the lowest measured fuel use, choose the second-generation 1.2 MT. Its 6.0 l/100 km combined figure is the catalogue minimum, although its 14.5-second acceleration and 156 km/h maximum are also among the least performance-focused results.

For an automatic transmission, the restyled 1.6 CVT presents the strongest figures. Against the restyled 1.6 AT, it has 113 rather than 102 hp, 152 rather than 145 Nm, reaches 100 km/h 0.1 seconds sooner, and increases top speed from 165 to 170 km/h. Its combined consumption falls from 8.4 to 6.7 l/100 km, although its clearance is 178 rather than 195 mm.

For Diesel torque, only the first-generation 1.5 MT qualifies. Its 160 Nm is the highest torque figure in the catalogue, but its fuel-consumption figures are not measured, and its 14.9-second acceleration is the slowest listed. Without price, condition, or reliability data, this is a specification-based distinction rather than a complete buying recommendation.

Prices, engine prices, and vehicles for sale are not measured, so the data cannot say what any upgrade costs or whether its numerical advantages justify a particular asking price. The sound comparison is therefore by priorities: 1.2 MT for minimum measured consumption, 113 hp 1.6 MT for performance and efficiency together, 195 mm 1.6 MT for added clearance, or restyled 1.6 CVT for the strongest automatic-option figures.