In second generation form, the Dacia Sandero Stepway continues to offer a bit of fun for not a lot of money. Jonathan Crouch tries it.

Ten Second Review

The Dacia Sandero Stepway is inexpensive but doesn't look it. It's a supermini that's been jacked up a bit to give a crossover look and seems to press all the right buttons for buyers who don't want big outlay but require big value. Here's the latest version of the third generation version.

Background

You know when an idea is a good one when your opposition are looking at each other and wondering why they didn't think of it before. The Dacia formula is really rather simple. It takes tried and tested Renault engineering and recycles it into new cars hailing from Romania. Therefore there's very little research and development expense, low labour costs, minimal tooling outlay and hey presto, you have a line of cheap and reliable cars that are just about pitch perfect for these austere times. Hardly rocket science is it? Renault acquired the company in 1999 and began importing into the UK thirteen years later. The core range is based around the Duster compact SUV and the Sandero supermini, the latter still the cheapest car on sale in the UK, and was rejuvenated back in 2020 in third generation re-designed form. The contender we look at here, the Sandero Stepway, is a spin-off of that model and it's one that has a lot to be said for it.

Driving Experience

In order to understand the appeal of the Sandero Stepway, know this. The basic Sandero supermini upon which it's based has been designed to sell into many third world markets and as such is billed as having excellent ground clearance and "robust underbody protection for impressive performance on unpaved tracks". If that's not a great basis for building a jacked-up version with even greater abilities, we don't know what is. Do remember though, that this isn't a four-wheel drive car, so there are limits as to what it can negotiate. For tougher stuff, you'll probably need to buy Dacia's Duster compact SUV. The extra wheel travel seems to give the Stepway a marginally better ride quality than the standard Sandero and the 41mm raise in height hasn't made body control noticeably worse. This third generation model's stiffer, more sophisticated CMF-B platform means it can deliver some better engineering. Most Stepway folk will want the powerplant you have to have, one we'd recommend, the 89bhp three cylinder turbo petrol TCe 90 unit, which can be had with either 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic gearbox. Dacia isn't bothering with a diesel this time round, but if you're looking for something super-frugal, you can have the TCe 100 petrol unit in LPG Bi-fuel form, with a dual fuel tank situated where the spare wheel would normally sit. With both the petrol and the LPG tanks filled, you'd have a range in this eco-variant of over 800 miles. Dacia promises that this car will be easy to use around town too, thanks to the fact that the steering is for this MK3 design electrically (rather than hydraulically) assisted and apparently needs up to 36% less effort to turn at low speeds. The final engine choice is a perkier TCe 110 petrol turbo unit, which makes 62mph in 10 seconds and only comes with manual transmission.

Design and Build

As before, the Stepway is styled to look a bit more rugged without actually offering any four wheel-drive underpinnings. The extra 41mm of stepped up ground clearance gives it a nicely chunky look and might well prove useful when bumping up and down big kerbs in town. This third generation version has a redesigned front end and body features such as proper metal front and rear skid plates, fog lamps, pronounced flared wheel arches, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, longitudinal roof bars that can be turned into a functional roof rack and some smart paint colours. Otherwise, it's exactly like a standard Sandero, which means that this 'DJF/BJ1 cross' generation version rides on the same CMF-B platform as a far pricier (and smaller) Renault Clio. That's allowed it to be a touch bigger than the pre-2020 MK2 model, noticeably wider (1,848mm without mirrors) and 19mm longer. The look's less anonymous too, thanks to a Y-shaped LED front lighting signature. Inside, it's much nicer than you might expect, with a modern dashboard that's embellished on this Stepway variant with fabric finishes. Infotainment's taken step forward since 2020 too, most versions getting an 8-inch centre monitor featuring smartphone mirroring. Access to the rear is easy, with wide-opening doors and reasonable knee room; you could seat a couple of adults there more comfortably than in most other superminis. The boot's a decent size too, rated at 328-litres, extendable to 1,108-litres with the back seat folded.

Market and Model

There are three trim levels - 'Essential', 'Expression' and 'Extreme'. So how much are you going to end up paying? Think in terms of a Stepway starting price of just over £15,000 (about £1,500 more than a regular Sandero) and you won't be too far out. That makes this still the cheapest Crossover-styled car you can buy. It undercuts rugged-ised versions of smaller city cars like the Fiat Panda Cross and the Kia Picanto X-line and offers lots more space inside than both. For some perspective, in size, this car is somewhere between a Fiesta Active-shaped supermini (models of which tend to be priced from around £22,500) and a Focus Active-sized family hatch (priced from around £28,000). So you get the idea. It really is hard to argue with this kind of value proposition. Three interior media infotainment options are available, the most basic system - called 'Media Control' - includes Bluetooth and a DAB radio, but no screen. Instead, you get a dock for your smartphone which can run a purpose-designed app for in-car use. Further up the range, you get two options based around an 8-inch touchscreen; 'Media Display', which incorporates 'Android Auto' and 'Apple CarPlay' smartphone-mirroring. And (only for the top Stepway 'Extreme' variant) 'Media Nav', which has built-in sat nav with Wi-Fi-based smartphone access. Optional extras if you want to plush up your Sandero include automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, a reversing camera, auto wipers and a power operated sunroof.

Cost of Ownership

There's a surprisingly high efficiency price to pay for this Stepway variant's 'SUV'-ness. In an ordinary Sandero, the three cylinder turbo 1.0-litre TCe 90 turbo unit almost all customers choose returns 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO2. The same engine in a Sandero Stepway manages 50.4mpg and 127g/km. It's 45.6mpg and 140g/km for the automatic version. You would of course do much better with a pricier mainstream rugged-ised supermini like a Ford Fiesta Active, but there's no doubt that Dacia has considerably closed the previous gap in efficiency that existed compared to the mainstream market. And it's useful to have the rare option of LPG power for the TCe engine (the TCe 100 Bi-fuel model), should you be prepared to consider it. On to the warranty. Dacia offers its latest Zen warranty which can cover you for you to 7 years provided you get your car regularly serviced at a Dacia franchise. This is backed by three years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Service intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles and since most Renault dealers look after Dacias too, you shouldn't be too far from a specialist workshop. It also helps that there's a timing chain that'll last as long as the engine. Dacia offers a choice of pre-paid servicing schemes covering you for either two years and 24,000 miles or three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

This Dacia Sandero Stepway sells well for a reason. It's a much more interesting and, crucially, more expensive-looking car than the basic Sandero hatch and although the craze for these SUV-styled superminis might have been and gone, it's still a vehicle that will continue to find a ready market here in the UK. With its 41mm raised ride height, it will not only appeal to those looking for something a bit beefy-looking to drive in town, but older buyers might well appreciate not having to sit so far down into the vehicle. The pricing, though nothing like as affordable as it used to be, still looks pretty good as well. For only a couple of hundred pounds more than the most depressingly basic citycar, you can buy a well-equipped Stepway with a modern petrol turbo engine and miles more equipment. Perhaps Skoda should have been Volkswagen's Dacia, but it hasn't really worked out that way. It's become a bit too gentrified. In contrast, the Stepway is a case study in how to do budget cars very well indeed.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Automatic wipers

Rear electric windows

Heated rear window

Front electric windows

3 speed windscreen wipers

Tinted windows

Drivers one touch electric windows

Brakes

Advanced emergency braking system

Automatic emergency braking system

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

ESC (Electronic Stability Control)

ABS and Emergency brake assist

Electronic Stability Program + Hill Start Assist

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats

Communication

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Lane keep assist

Driver attention warning

Electric power assisted steering

Rescue code

Reversing camera

Lane departure warning

Traffic sign recognition with speed alert/Intelligent speed assist (ISA)

Cruise control with speed limiter

Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

Rear parking sensors

Eco mode

Driver Convenience

Stop/start system

Driver Information

Rev counter

Event data recoder

3.5" TFT instrument panel with on-board computer

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Body colour door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Decopart on instrument panel and door with textile

Entertainment

USB socket

USB connection for data transfer and charging

USB-C plug

8" Media display - DAB radio, smartphone replication, bluetooth, 4 speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Exterior Body Features

White stepway inscription on roof bars

Expression specifc decal below door mirror

Megatith modular roof bars

White Dacia inscription on tail gate

Black radiator grille with white inserts stepway inscription

Rear side wing doors

Body colour door handles

Body coloured bumpers

Exterior Lights

High level third brake light

Front fog lights

Auto lighting

LED automatic daytime running lights

LED Y-shape Dacia signature lighting

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Manual air conditioning

Interior Features

Gear shift indicator

Height/depth adjustable steering wheel

Fixed smartphone holder on dashboard

Soft feel steering wheel

Steering wheel controls

Fabric upholstery

Fog grey animation on air vents

Fog grey interior door handles

12 volt rear socket

12 volt front socket

Safety

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Side impact protection

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Alcohol imoboliser predisposal

Driver airbag

Front side airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Tyre pressure monitor

Seatbelt reminder for driver and front passenger

Front curtain airbags

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Door open visual and audible warning

Passenger airbag

Seats

1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats

Height adjustable front headrests

Isofix points for child seats in both outer rear seats

Height adjustable drivers seat with armrest

3 height adjustable rear headrests

3 seat rear bench

Single front passenger seat

Security

Automatic central locking

Keyless entry

Remote central locking

Immobiliser

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger vanity mirror with cover

Wheels

16" Atara dark flexwheels

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 126

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.021

HC: 0.035

CO: 0.266

Engine and Drive Train

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: MANUAL

CC: 999

Gears: 6 SPEED

Engine Code: H4D 470

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 81.34

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 72.2

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - High: 60.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 56.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 45.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 44.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6.3

WLTP - MPG - Low: 42.8

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 2

Badge Engine CC: 1.0

Badge Power: 90

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 13E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 70

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 72

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 41

NCAP Safety Assist %: 42

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Generation Mark: 3

Coin Series: Expression

Coin Description: TCe

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 12

Top Speed: 107

Engine Power - BHP: 91

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - MKG: 16.3

Engine Power - KW: 67

Engine Power - RPM: 4600

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 118

Engine Torque - NM: 160

Engine Torque - RPM: 2100

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Wheel Style: ATARA DARK FLEX

Alloys?: 0

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Type: 16" STEEL

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 205/60 R16

Tyre Size Front: 205/60 R16

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4099

Width: 1848

Wheelbase: 2604

Width (including mirrors): 2007

Height: 1535

Height (including roof rails): 1587

Weight and Capacities

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 328

Max. Loading Weight: 485

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 585

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1100

No. of Seats: 5

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50

Minimum Kerbweight: 1095

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1580

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1108

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.39

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Special paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Pearl black

Metallic - Shadow grey

Metallic - Safari beige

Metallic - Iron blue

Metallic - Cedar green

Paint - Solid

Solid - Glacier white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Dusty khaki

Trim - Cloth

Fabric - Titanium black

Wheels - Spare

Emergency spare wheel