Dacia Sandero Stepway: Cheap and cheerful?

The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a crossover-inspired small hatchback that undercuts most of its rivals by thousands of pounds.

Based on the latest Renault Clio, this 2021 version of the Dacia Sandero Stepway represents huge progress over its predecessor, but is there enough substance to recommend it on more than just its low price? Rebecca Jackson tests the 1.0-litre automatic model in order to determine if there's more to the Stepway than just good value.

Read our full Dacia Sandero Stepway review:

Pros
Undercuts its rivals by thousands of pounds
Improved quality and comfort compared with the previous model
The optional automatic gearbox is smooth

Cons
More expensive than a regular Sandero
Lags behind the latest safety standards
Entry-level cars are quite basic

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Follow us on social ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
For more reviews, check out our US channel, too!

#cargurusuk #sandero #daciasandero

[elisekelly]

Ordered mine and coming in September, beyond excited for it! As a Masters Student who is living off a student loan it's the perfect car for someone on a budget looking for a 3 year warranty you wouldn't get in an older 2nd hand car!

[erikvangelder]

I happen to drive it's bigger brother, the Dacia Duster. Different car you'd probably say. Yet, it too is based on the same Clio platform. And quality wise as well as design and trim wise, it is very alike: Same automatic airco, same level of quality, same or much ilike design, same features like BLISS, etcetera. Same dashboard as well (the gauges and the board computer screen that is). This Sandero even has some improvements compared to the Duster I drive (which is the latest model).

After one year driving this Dacia, I am still amazed by it's robustness, and it's reliability.
Beforte this car, I drove a Hyundai, a volkswagen, an Opel Astra, a peugeot, and an old renault.
Compared to those: If I have to buy a new car again (which will not beany time soon), I will definately consider a new Dacia again. A duster? a Sandero stepway? that has to be seen. But most likely, a Dacia.

[geoffpalmer]

I have the 2019 Stepway comfort and am very happy with it. After plating and driving many different makes of cars from top of the range to the lowly Kia Picanto the Stepway fares well in comparison. I just want a cheap and reliable ride which is what I get and on a motorway travelling at 60mph in Eco mode 60+ mpg is a money saver.

[victorcocut]

Hello, I am from Romania, I live in the beautiful city of Brasov. Personally, I appreciate this model for the price-quality ratio, which is very good. It has good road performance, I am not a fan of speed, I appreciate the gearbox but also the ergonomics inside.All the best, and thanks for the presentation.

[johnwilmott]

Good overall review, i'll be test driving it soon. While you mentioned the two star ncap, you didn't point out the reason for that rating. It's because it fell down on pedestrian impact detection, with recent higher standards related to no detector/camera as standard on the vehicle to spot pedestrians, not because it had any other major failings. I'm sure dacia will rectify that issue in due course.

[habilayusuf]

Her voice is just soothing and easy to listen to, you should do all the reviews on this channel. Great review by the way.

[johansmith]

Here in South Africa its called Renault Sandero and still great value for money and very popular, great vidoe

[annahwatson]

I have 2 Dacia Logan's very happy cheap to buy and maintenance in Belgium

[mariojager]

On price it leaves all its competitors for dust. I doubt depreciation will be much of an issue either, it has been marked down on crash testing only because of a lack of autonomous safety functions, but occupant safety is good for a budget car, it wouldn't be an issue for me.

[NickActive]

This car is perfectly safe, a lot safer than the previous generation. A lot of same class cars would also score 2 stars in the latest test

[peterktori]

SHE IS THE PERFECT. PRESENTER. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. HONEST REVIEW. AND THIS . SANDERO. DELIVERS. WHO WANTS TO SEE. TO MANY. OVER PRICED. CARS. EVERY TIME.

[terryboy]

Great review & the car looks brilliant tbh if you took the badge of it would be hard to tell what manufacturer built it btw your the best! 😘

[RaduB.]

Hi!
I was hoping to see the Sanderos reviewed on Car Gurus! 🙂
Thank you and greetings from Romania!

Now I'm off to watch the other one!...

[babslyne]

I have Dacia Stepway I bought in 2018 it is the cheapest car I have ever bought. It is the Laurette which is a high spec with a lot of functionality but it is time to replace it and I have decided on the Dacia Stepway Prestige. In almost 40 years behind the wheel I have never gone for the same car twice but I have enjoyed by Stepway so much I had to go for the new model fingers crossed it is as good as the reviews.

[michaelwallace]

One thing I did learn with my last stepway is you need to work the engine more because as mentioned it can be slow on pick up in certain situation's. It means also the driver has to be more involved, look ahead, be ready to change down which gets the Turbo spinning and more power. I quickly got used to that, in fact I enjoyed being more involved. My Stepway is to be made next month. It's been a long wait but worth it.

[comedyman]

I own a manual one and the pedals are definitely not mushy and the gear changes aren't crunchy. They are quite perfect. She doesn't even drive a manual

[peterfeltham]

A very good reviewer, straight to the point no nonsense, no ego.

[salomirciprian]

The lack of power in not from the engine which has enough torque for an 1200Kg car, 160 Nm on petrol and 170Nm on LPG, but from the automatic CVT gearbox. With manual version, the car is moving really good.

[ben]

I am Test Driving one on Saturday as a maybe Replacement for my 2015 Twingo as i need a bigger car now .

[davecroden]

Who isn’t just a bit in love with Rebecca 😊