Roughty-toughty off-road flavour works well for Dacia. It makes the Duster a singularly unpretentious and likeable machine. And on the Sandero Stepway, loosely termed a crossover supermini, it only seems to enhance the simple, functional value.
Mechanically, there isn’t much that differentiates the Stepway. This is ostensibly a standard Sandero hatch with plastic wheel arch extensions, faux plastic scuff plates, roof bars and an extra 40mm of ground clearance (to make 207mm in all).
There’s no entry-level 1.2-litre engine with the Stepway, and no pared-down Access trim. Prices start from £7995, but you also get more for your money with the entry-level 898cc petrol-engined Ambiance-spec Stepway, which gets front fog lamps, body-coloured bumpers and mirrors, and metallic paint.
The range-topping 1.5-litre diesel we tested adds rear parking sensors and sat-nav, offsetting more than half of the £1000 premium you’ll pay versus the equivalent hatch. And it’s a marginally more appealing and obliging machine than the regular model, with chunkier styling, easier entry and egress, handling that shows little compromise on accuracy or control and a slightly more fluent primary ride. The diesel engine only really becomes noisy above 3500rpm and generally performs strongly – albeit not quite as efficiently as the 70.6mpg claim suggests.
The bottom line is that, if you insist on spending £9000 or more on a Sandero, the Stepway’s probably the car to spend it on – whether you want a crossover or not.
Dacia Sandero Stepway 1.5 dCi 90 Laureate
Price: £10,795; 0-62mph: 11.8sec; Top speed: 103mph; Economy: 70.6mpg (combined); CO2: 105g/km; Kerb weight: 1083kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1461cc, turbodiesel; Power: 89bhp at 3750rpm; Torque: 162lb ft at 1750rpm; Gearbox: 5-spd manual
A no-haggling £10,795 seems a bit pricey for what is essentially a jacked-up sumpermini from a brand that is totally unknown here in the UK. After all one can buy a 5-door Ford Fiesta Zetec for around this much after dealer discount.
Sandero Stepway's high-ish price would most likely limit its appeal to those who are well familiar with the brand. If this car had even a basic 4WD function not for off-roading just to overcome iced-up roads that we get once in a while then I could consider buying it.
For £10,995 one can buy a Duster in mid-spec with 4WD and as reports suggest its good not only for on-road year-round use but can do a fair bit of rugged stuff as well.
£10,795 still seems cheapish, what else can you buy with a 1.5 litre 90 hp diesel and Sat Nav included?
Although Dacia is a new name in the UK it really is a Renault/Nissan.
maxecat
What is there to hate? It's so simple, that there's nothing to hate about it. Ok, maybe the interior has the same allure as a coal face, but taking that away, you essentially have a Crossover for 10k.
In top gear the Romanian Special of 2009/10, James was gifted with the predecessor and rightly commented on how throaty and simple it was.
And if this one is the same, I would without a doubt, go out and purchase one. You may dislike it's cheap and cheerful image, but in my eyes, it would be like driving to work in a go cart; in this times off turbulence, this could be the Model T of 2013.
It looks quite nice. I hope it comes with tailored car mats though! Come on Dacia
quite powerful, with 90 HP... but it doesn't look that good offroad..
Also, i think there it also comes with 115 HP engine..
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maybe I should do the same thing! With this car I can impress the girls.
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