Is this new Sandero Stepway king of bargain basement?

Published on 9 October, 2021

Overview

It was good to be driving a car in its teens for a change. By ‘teens’ I mean a new motor costing under €20,000. There aren’t too many of them around these days, I can tell you.

It’s probably no surprise to learn I was dipping into the bargain basement of assorted goods from Dacia.
A Sandero supermini came as a temporary taster of what can be done for really small money while I awaited the arrival of the Sandero SUV-effect Stepway version for a proper test. It costs just under €20,000 – but starts below €13,000 for the entry-level model. You won’t find anything of its kind for less.

And my version was Bi-fuel – it can use LPG as well as petrol, giving, Dacia say, increased power and better performance. I didn’t seek out any LPG outlets though I’m assured they are there.

They say it is worth the bother if you do because, as well as an increase in power, there is a fuel efficiency ­benefit.

I have no complaints with the 100TCe model I had. It was quite impressive in terms of pick-up and power.

But before you think this is all positive let me get a negative spoiler in there. It is fair to say that some of the switch gear is old fashioned looking and reminds me of Renaults of days gone by (Dacia, as you know, is owned by the French company).

I found it difficult enough to work some of the instruments in, around and behind the steering wheel. They are tucked away well, however, so you don’t see them.

I say that by way of criticism when really I probably should not have prioritised the issue because Dacia have done a remarkable job of disguising the fact that it is an ultra budget car.

Granted my version had top-of-the-range stuff which had me wondering all the more how they can do it.

Simple, it seems: just keep things uncomplicated and stretch whatever decent materials you have as far as they will go for the greatest effect.

So I got the likes of 16ins diamond-effect alloys, satin chrome and copper orange vent surrounds, fabric trim on the dashboard and orange trim on the front door panels.

Also there was an electronic parking brake, rear-view camera and automatic climate control.

Yes we are still talking about the Dacia Sandero Stepway and, yes, it still costs under €20,000.

It takes a bit of getting used to the fact that the Stepway is basically the standard Sandero supermini with a lot of adjustments and embellishments. 

I mean a lot. It has been made taller to look like a crossover and it’s got a lot more styling verve and touches.

Simply put, it looks well. I mean €30,000 well instead of €20,000 well. Especially in that vibrant orange ­colour that follows through to the décor inside. 

It has been improved significantly on the first generation which I, for one, thought was a bit of a gimmick.

That was until I learned how popular it had grown to be. The Sandero range was the biggest-selling across Europe last month, according to official ­figures.

That is real-world vindication and something that will bring another smile to the face of a great friend of mine who bought the hatchback ­version some time back.

He never ceases to tell me how pleased he is with it, especially the fuel consumption.

I drove the Stepway quite hard on two journeys, among others, to the midlands and reckon I got 5.4litres/100km overall which is brilliant considering the driving.

One bit of a reality check was all that came our way. On a trip to the airport we found that the left-side rear seat belt pre-tensioner wasn’t working (that’s what makes the belt tighten when you clip it in). Something to look out for.

For a so-called supermini-on-stilts it was surprisingly roomy especially for my back-seat passenger. The seating was moderately supporting, though I wished for greater firmness to fend off lumbar and upper back rumblings of discontent.

I encountered severe weather on one of the trips and the car held as well as anything else in the surges and bluster of crosswinds.  I won’t say I didn’t notice the buffeting but it was not a major issue. Good result for a tall bargain-basement car don’t you think?

Indeed it was a good result all round – with the few exceptions just outlined – for a car in its price teens.

Would I buy it? After all that, yes I would. It appeals to the bargain-basement buyer in me. To be one you have to accept not everything is as you’d like. But for under €20,000 there isn’t much of a downside.

Especially when you consider the high price you’ll pay for a good, scarce, secondhand car these days.

Fact File

Dacia Sandero Stepway TCe100 BiFuel. From €12,990. Test car: €19,810, 6spd manual, 5.8 l/100km (official).  Entry level spec: 16ins Flex wheels, tyre inflation kit, 2 ISOFIX points for child seats, cruise control, electric front windows, manual air con, DAB radio with display on instrument panel. Added to test car: 16ins diamond-effect alloys, 1/3- 2/3 split-fold rear bench, front  fogs, parking sensors, auto wipers/lights, auto climate control, keyless entry, Media Nav, 8ins touchscreen.