Dacia Sandero Stepway 2024 long-term test

My own Sandero actually costs £16,295 because it's an off-roader-lookie-like Stepway in Expression trim, but that's still less than half the price of the average new car in the UK - and if you forgo the extra ride height, plastic body trim and root rails, you can get this spec (which you will want, because it adds an 8.0in touchscreen, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to the standard air-con and Bluetooth-equipped four-speaker stereo) for an incredible £14,795.

In any case, most people get their cars on finance, and the Expression is actually E7 per month cheaper (at just £140) than the Comfort, due to its better resale value. Add another £6 per month if you must have the Stepway, despite its conspicuous lack of four-wheel drive. 

The one big problem with this premise is that Renault is currently offering a 0% APR finance deal on its entry-level Clio, which uses exactly the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (which makes 89bhp and 118lb ft of torque) and six-speed manual gearbox, and has a comparable level of standard equipment, for just £142 per month. I previously ran a Clio, albeit in pricier E-Tech hybrid form, which I absolutely loved and which Autocar now considers the class leader. So will I find justification in recommending the Sandero to you instead?

The interior probably won't pull any fence-sitters down, if I'm being brutally honest. There's nothing wrong with it fundamentally. Analogue speedometer and tachometer dials now seem a rare treat, the infotainment software features Apple CarPlay, the seats are adjustable and give the driver and passenger enough space, and I have no objections to dark cloth upholstery. But away from the steering wheel, the plastics are far from tactile delights, and the touchscreen has a matt finish that feels weird to touch.

I suppose the design may sway some, particularly after a light refresh in 2022 that implemented Dacia's new brand image, which to me gives it a slightly more upmarket appearance (although I did wonder why they had swapped a D-shaped logo for an X-shaped one until someone pointed out that it's meant to be a D and a C...).

I can also see some people being drawn to its 4X4 look, especially in the metallic Dusty Khaki seen here. In fact, I've already had someone stop to ask how it drives because they loved the look. No, I'm not making that up, and I never had that happen in my many months with the Clio. My answer to him was "It's great, given the price" '.

It doesn't feel like a Clio, though. In fact, it feels remarkably different, given that they are so closely related, having a much softer suspension set-up and thicker-walled tyres, which gives the ride a totally different character, and there's much less appetite for dynamic cornering evident in its handling.

It's still early days, so I haven't yet worked out exactly how I feel about my new long-termer. I already have a few long motorway trips booked in, so we will soon see. Although my lack of any reservations about that prospect probably says something in itself.

Second Opinion

I’ve approached the Sandero with fresh eyes now as the owner of the cheapest Renault, an £18k petrol manual Clio. This Dacia is notably more rudimentary and basic-feeling, despite near parity on price to its sibling. Dacia has clearly taught its parent company a few tricks about how to build affordable cars.

Mark Tisshaw

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Dacia Sandero Stepway TCE 90 Expression specification

Specs: Price New £16,295 Price as tested £16,945 Options Dusty Khaki metallic paint £650

Test Data: Engine 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol Power 91bhp Torque 118lb ft Kerb weight 1072kg Top speed 109mph 0-62mph 12.2sec Fuel economy 50.4mpg CO2 119g/km Faults None Expenses None