£200/month sensible car challenge: Dacia Sandero Stepway vs Skoda Scala

After a nearly new car with a budget of £200 a month? Then check out the top-spec Dacia Sandero Stepway Prestige and the entry-level Skoda Scala. Join Tim Rodie and Rebecca Jackson as together they try to work out whether a Dacia still represents best value for money, or if even a basic Skoda can kick it in the Dusters. Which would you pick?

[laurradu]

Last year I had to scrap my 2008 Octavia. So I had to buy a new car. I wanted more than 100HP, led lights, automatic a/c and heated seats. The cheapest car I found was Sandero Stepway with TCe110 engine, at around 14k. The alternative from other brands were around 18k. So Dacia won.

[stephenchamp]

Great to see Tim and Rebecca together in a review. It would be brilliant to see them do more reviews together but it's whether Rebecca put up with Tim 🤣🤣🤣

[alexmaple]

More “Tim and Rebecca in the same video” videos please!

[georgealex]

If you’re faced with this decision, get the Skoda. Safety is also a lot better in case you get in a crash…. Then you won’t care that carplay is wireless….

[alanfarmilo]

Great video, two affordable cars compared with useful info and good humour. Well done you two!

[lubosmotl]

As a VW shareholder from Pilsen, the original cradle of the non-car Škoda brand, I am still impressed that the Romanians can make any cars at all. Count Dracula can suck blood - they should place him in the logo, the current one is utterly uninspiring compared to the legendary winged arrow (or shot through chicken or half of the wings) of Škoda. The French were starting with much poorer industrial conditions in Romania than VW in Czechia.

[RobertLloyd-fp]

Bought a second hand 2020 Skoda Skala automatic 15 months ago, it has keyless ignition, and unlocks without using the key if you hold the door handle.
It's been a great car for it's first year, the Skoda service pqckage is also good.

[MiniEggs]

Conversation style car reviews with two in a car are always better. Hopefully next time RJ will make a joke that makes Tim feel uncomfortable

[theblitz]

Vents at the back alone is a big selling point

[alanduffell]

The Dacia when new in 2022 cost £14, 500 for the base white + £595 for the paint option. In 2 years it has only lost £2000.
I don't know how much the Scala with a 1.5tsi engine was in the back end of 2022, but as its the next size category up equal to the Golf and currently starts at £21, 300 I expect it was about £20, 000.
That's quite a high depreciation on the Skoda.
Yes the Skoda is a better car in this situation, but you would be gutted if you had paid all that from new.

[raicaluci]

Sandero is a small class car, Skala is an compact class.. comparison is unfair. Sandero starts from 13000 Euros and Skala from 17000, same specs

[AnimalMother]

Loved the carwow Matt Watson reference lol

[jrs]

This just in....Rebecca is going bananas....🤯🙆🤗🎉🤣🤣🤣

[WheelieMacBin]

There are other factors in play though, such as depreciation and insurance costs. Also Dacia has the new Zen warranty offer that will extend the warranty to 7 years.

[martinrousev]

I considered the Scala as our family car. I dismissed it because ot the lack of roof rails mounting points. Landed on a Golf estate instead. I feel Skoda were careful not to canibalize Octavia sales with leaving them out.

[drufusg]

Base spec Skoda v top spec Dacia…….i imagine a similar spec Skoda will be anon starter price wise.for me a Skoda win

[JohnPartridge-gx]

Hope you two do more reviews like this. How's about Toyota Camry v Skoda Superb?

[pit_stop]

I have the dacia stepway prestige. Brought it new in 22. It's a lovely car but a pain to clean those alloy wheels properly

[albertlira]

Great dynamic, great presentation and both great choices

[paultwomey]

Aren’t these two cars nearly £10K apart new?