Dacia Sandero [UK]
The Sandero and Sandero Stepway clearly embody Dacia's philosophy of providing the essentials - everything you need, and nothing you don't - all for the best value for money on the market. Consumers agree, with almost 2.7 million cars sold globally since 2004 and Sandero being the bestselling car in the European retail market since 2017.
Out of the two, the more adventurous Dacia Sandero Stepway is the UK's favourite, representing over 60 per cent of all sales combined.
Both versions are based on the modern CMF-B platform, featuring a full complement of active and passive safety systems, efficient engines including a Bi-Fuel LPG option, and the choice of an automatic transmission for the Sandero Stepway TCe 90 Extreme.
A sophisticated, contemporary exterior design includes refined details such as LED running lights with distinctive signatures and clever wheel designs. Meanwhile, a fresh and inviting interior makes use of enhanced materials offering a premium feel and greater refinement.
From the beginning, Dacia has led the way in offering reliable and accessible new cars that align with the expectations of its customers. Consumers are taking an increasingly pragmatic approach when shopping for a new car, and Dacia's range of simple, spacious, reliable, and robust vehicles are meeting the needs of more buyers than ever before.
The Sandero and Sandero Stepway boast an entirely modern exterior design, all while accommodating an even more spacious interior. For the versatile adventurer, the Sandero Stepway makes a bold statement with its assertive and rugged styling.
Both versions provide strong personality and a sense of sturdiness, with more pronounced wheel arches, a lower roof, sloped windscreen and smoother lines throughout. A wide track and flush wheels contribute to the lower, more planted appearance on the road, while machine-stamped panels provide a seamless, high-quality fit.
For the Dacia Sandero Stepway, a generous 201mm of ground clearance ensures a muscular, confident stance, set off by a unique grille featuring the Stepway logo and black body cladding with practical skid plates. It also features patented versatile modular roof bars that can be turned into a roof rack capable of carrying up to 80kg, giving customers greater practicality than ever. These features are an example Dacia's 'good thinking', offering clever, practical, simple, and reliable vehicles.
All versions of the Sandero and Sandero Stepway feature LED daytime running lights with a Y-shaped signature at the front, and cleverly designed LED-effect four-element lighting signature at the rear. Not only do the front lights add character, but they also illuminate more of the road ahead.
Both Sandero and Sandero Stepway models are available with Dacia's innovative Flex wheels. Cleverly designed to replicate alloy wheels, they feature an attractive wheel trim that's stylish but also robust and affordable should they need to be replaced.
The range-topping Sandero Stepway Extreme adopts several stylish touches, such as Copper Brown door mirrors, Copper Brown 'Stepway' inscription on the roof bars, Copper Brown highlights above the front fog lights, and a Copper Brown 'Dacia Link' logo on the 16-inch Full Black alloy wheels' centre caps. A gloss black shark fin antenna and topographic pattern on the snorkel and lower doors completes the adventurous look.
The interior of both versions includes a sophisticated dashboard design with premium materials. The designers have intelligently created an interior that prioritises what's important to customers and have invested in those areas during development.
As a result, the interior of both models comes with improved ergonomics for better comfort, refinement, and a robust finish, while continuing to offer the practicality of a supermini at the price of a city car.
Across the dashboard is a tactile fabric panel that extends to the doors, with slim and sophisticated air vent designs. The designers paid particular attention to aspects of the interior that the driver and passengers interact with in everyday use, enhancing the overall feel inside the cabin.
The Dacia Sandero Stepway adds unique orange detailing on the air vents and orange stitching on the upholstery, while particular specifications feature more sophisticated heating controls shared with the Dacia Duster.
The Sandero Stepway Extreme gains unique Copper Brown detailing on the air vents and door trim, together with a topographical pattern on the door sills and rubber floor mats. Making its debut on the Extreme trim is the new MicroCloud upholstery. It features on the seats, dashboard, and door trim of the Sandero Stepway Extreme, joined by appealing contrasting stitching. Its unique, velvet-like appearance and soft feel is hard-wearing and easy to clean.
With 328 litres of boot space, both the driver and passengers have space to put their belongings, enhanced by up to 21 litres of storage space dotted throughout the cabin. The seats split and fold (depending on model) to expand the spacious boot area further to a total capacity of 1,108 litres.
The Sandero and Sandero Stepway are offered with a choice of three infotainment systems, each with a range of powerful connected features for busy, modern lives.
Dacia's clever Media Control system revolves around a smartphone docking station integrated into the dashboard. By using the screen that we carry with us every day - our smartphones - Dacia has created a way of maximising usability and familiarity, while also solving the problems caused by aftermarket windscreen mounts and charging cables.
Once the smartphone is held securely within the universal slot, the free Dacia Media Control app places the phone at the heart of the connected experience. Navigation, radio, music, telephone, and vehicle information are all now at the driver's fingertips, accessed through the phone's own voice recognition function or via the steering wheel-mounted controls. Music and navigation instructions are channelled through the car's speakers thanks to the Bluetooth connection, while a conveniently located USB port handles charging duties.
Media Display upgrades the audio experience with four speakers, while an 8-inch touchscreen mounted high on the dashboard and angled towards the driver for maximum visibility takes over from the Media Control docking station. The system supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while a new 'Car' tab gives access to various ADAS and vehicle settings.
Media Nav builds upon the Media Display system with the addition of a full in-car navigation function, and an upgraded audio system with six speakers and additional USB port.
Thanks to its Common Module Family (CMF) modular platform, enhanced fuel-efficiency and an appealing aerodynamic design, the Sandero and Sandero Stepway combine increased driving comfort with low CO2 emissions. Behind the wheel, both models deliver engaging handling, enhanced steering precision, more efficient engines and improved refinement, resulting in easy and comfortable driving in all situations.
Two engines are available in the Sandero and Sandero Stepway, both fully compliant with the Euro 6D-Full standard.
Dacia's petrol/LPG Bi-Fuel models are converted at the factory, guaranteeing safety and reliability with the LPG tank located in the spare wheel well and filling nozzle next to the petrol filler. This means there is no compromise in practicality.
Running on LPG, the Dacia Sandero Bi-Fuel releases on average 11 per cent lower CO2 emissions than an equivalent petrol engine but is also capable of travelling more than 800 miles when utilising both petrol and LPG tanks - 50 litres for petrol and 40 litres for the LPG tank. The manufacturer warranty period, servicing costs and frequency are the same as the petrol versions, too.
The optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) delivers smooth acceleration and a responsive driving experience. Available exclusively with the TCe 90 engine in the Sandero Stepway Extreme, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are lower than the previous automatic versions thanks to lighter gearbox and improved engine management.
To save fuel both models feature Stop&Start as standard to help reduce pollutants, vibration and noise. On Sandero Stepway Extreme, fitted with the CVT automatic, simply pressing the brake pedal at a standstill engages the function, while manual cars need to be in neutral, with the engine restarting almost instantly. Stop&Start can be disabled manually via a button in the centre of the dashboard.
The six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sandero Stepway (5-speed on Sandero). Its gear ratios have been selected to maintain torque over the entire range of use, while sixth gear has been extended to improve fuel consumption at motorway speeds.
The Sandero and Sandero Stepway benefit from a wide array of active safety features. All models feature automatic headlamps with greater visibility from the LED light units.
In addition to the speed limiter and the latest in Electronic Stability Program (ESP) technology, the Sandero and Sandero Stepway feature several new state-of-the-art driver assistance systems:
Stepway Extreme models are also equipped with Extended Grip as standard. This clever feature, activated via a button on the centre console, adjusts the electronic stability control (ESC) settings to maximise the available traction on loose surfaces, helping drivers venture further off the beaten track.
Despite the Dacia Sandero's enviable position as one of the best value new cars on the market, even entry-level Essential models are generously equipped with everything a customer needs. Features include electric front windows, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, a comprehensive range of passive and active safety aids, and Dacia's clever Media Control that places the smartphone at the heart of the infotainment system.
Mid-range Expression models gain Dacia's innovative 'Flex' wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and reversing camera, automatic wipers, heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, keyless entry, electric rear windows, upgraded interior trim, and Dacia's Media Display infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Sandero Stepway includes the top-of-the-range Extreme trim. Beyond its Copper Brown exterior detailing and interior highlights, it also gains 16-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera, electronic parking brake, high central armrest with storage, automatic air conditioning, blind spot warning, Extended Grip system, and Dacia's 8-inch Media Nav system with full smartphone replication and navigation built-in.
