The Crittenden Automotive Library

Dacia Sandero Stepway - a Rover Streetwise for the modern era

Topics: Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero Stepway - a Rover Streetwise for the modern era

Matt Hubbard
Speedmonkey
December 3, 2012

Dacia has announced it's third model, the Rover Streetwise Sandero Stepway, which is basically a raised, chunky Rover 25 Dacia Sandero with some plastic body panels.

We've previously gushed about Dacia's pricing of both the Sandero and Duster although weren't so enamoured about the Sandero's finance deal. The Sandero Stepway is the company's latest attack on the UK market which uses a combination of attractive cars and aggressive pricing.

The Sandero Stepway has a lot going for it. The Sandero is a decent looking car in the first place. The addition of the plastic body panels and raised ride height make it look even more attractive - more of a premium car rather than a basic hatchback. It's a concept that was first brought to market by Rover with their 25 based Streetwise (deja vu?), which could have been a success had Rover not gone down the pan.

The model line-up is a refreshingly simple affair. The Stepway comes with just two trim levels and two engines. Here's the entire range:

Trim level	Engine	CO₂ emissions	MPG (combined)	On-the-road price
Ambiance	0.9 TCe 90	125	52.3	£7,995
	1.5 dCi 90	105	70.6	£8.995
Lauréate	0.9 TCe 90	125	52.3	£9,795
	1.5 dCi 90	105	70.6	£10,795

All engines produce 90bhp. The 0.9 is a 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol whilst the 1.5 is a turbo diesel.

The Ambiance comes with Bluetooth, metallic paint, and a radio/CD and an ECO button which reduces torque and improves economy by up to 10%. The Lauréate also offers air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, a touchscreen multimedia screen with integrated satnav, cruise control, speed limiter and parking sensors.

The only problem we see with the Dacia Sandero Stepway is that it has a silly name. Stepway makes it sound like a stairlift for elderly householders who struggle to walk up the stairs. However, given that the car has already been for sale in Europe and South America since 2008, Dacia are obviously happy with the name Stepway and didn't want to change it for the UK market.

The Sandero Stepway's pricing is £400 higher than the equivalent prices for the standard Sandero models. So the Sandero Ambiance 0.9 TCe costs £7,395. In comparison the Skoda Yeti range, a similarly high-rise, chunky car, starts at £15,135 for the 105bhp 1.2 TSi.

Dacia use existing technology, with existing engines, parts and engineering from the Renault range, and apply low prices. They are already seeing success in the cash-strapped UK with the Sandero and Duster. For customers who want a new car, and are happy to forego electric windows and other such niceties, Dacia gives the a them car they want at a very good price.

The Sandero Stepway is available to order from 1 January and first orders will arrive in the UK in May 2013.