Dacia Sandero Stepway

Adrian Wilson, General Manager,

Renault Gloucester

"Trendy crossover looks and a bargain price make the Stepway version of the Dacia Sandero an even more appealing choice for cost-conscious buyers. If the regular Dacia Sandero sells on pure affordability the Stepway version adds a garnish of desirability thanks to its crossover style ride height and trim details. Standing a little taller and clothed in tough-looking body cladding, it looks built to take a beating, be that in rough-and-tumble urban driving or in the great outdoors. It's a little more expensive than the regular Sandero but also has more tech and a better trimmed interior, not to mention a more fashionable image. All things relative it's still a total bargain, without looking too cheap and cheerful in the company of more mainstream crossovers. The fact it's based on more modern foundations than the previous Stepway means Dacia can include a lot more of the safety tech modern drivers expect, the extra cost over the Sandero offset by the more generous range of assistance systems. Even the most basic version gets automated emergency braking if you fail to respond to hazards in your path, airbags front and rear, two Isofix child seat mounts in the back, hill start assistance and an emergency 'E-call' system. Cruise control and a speed limiter are also standard. The Comfort model adds rear parking sensors, fog lights and a reversing camera while the top of the range trim gets front sensors and a blind-spot warning system."