For £5995, you get a new car. That’s a pretty strong headline – and it’s about to get stronger than ever, because the Dacia Sandero has just gained a new base-spec engine, facelifted looks and more equipment.

The 1.0 sCe engine is smaller than the 1.2 it replaces, and with 54.3mpg and 117g/km the Sandero goes toe to toe with Ford’s new Ka+ for more than just value for money. Actually, it’s cheaper still – but not as involving to drive.

Still, with 73bhp it’s a little keener than the old 1.2. The Sandero’s light weight helps here, allowing it to pick up its skirts when asked, but it needs plenty of revs at higher speeds and the result is a level of engine noise that will push you higher up the range if you intend to spend a lot of time on the open road.

What you’ll find higher up the range are a turbocharged 0.9-litre petrol engine and a 1.4-litre diesel. You’ll also find the range-topping Laureate trim seen here – our test car was a European model, but in the UK you’ll only get the new engine in Access and Ambiance form.

The former is pretty sparse, but for an extra grand the latter adds worthwhile stuff like air-con and DAB. Move up to Laureate and you gain enhanced multimedia kit but lose the option of this engine.

Whichever model you go for, you get a well designed cabin whose space is used cleverly to provide a good sized boot and decent accommodation in both rows of seats. It’s better finished, too, with materials that look and feel pretty good considering the tiny price you’re paying.

For sure, you can get more sophisticated superminis by spending more money – a lot more money, in some cases. And if you content yourself with a smaller city car, you can get something classier for not too big a jump in price. But when all’s said and done, it’s the cheapest car you can buy – and it won’t make you feel like a penny pincher for doing so.