A small, affordable, economical and tough yet comfortable compact urban crossover, the Renault Sandero is an ideal and uncomplicated daily driver engineered with developing markets in mind. A rebadged version of Renault’s Romanian subsidiary Dacia’s high riding Sandero Stepway and its base hatchback sister, the Renault version is virtually indistinguishable bar the French manufacturer’s iconic diamond-like badge.
Introduced in its first generation in 2008, the Stepway is already in its third generation for some markets, but for others, like SA, the second-generation Sandero model is still going strong.
Wide stance compact
A junior sister model to Renault’s and Dacia’s popular Duster crossover, with a more distinctly urban appeal and less emphasis on off-road ability, the second generation Stepway was first launched at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. A smaller proposition than the Duster, the Stepway is noticeably shorter and more condensed in design. Compact and road-oriented as it may be, the Stepway nevertheless has a rugged SUV-like appeal owing to the black cladding along its lower wheel-arches and sills, faux front skid plate and roof rails.
With similar width and height, and short wheelbase and rear overhang, the Stepway looks as agile and manoeuvrable as it is on the road, and seems to sit on the road with a greater sense of width than its demure dimensions suggest. With its lower cladding, subtly pronounced wheel-arches, broad bonnet and browed grille and headlights, the Stepway’s sense of width is further accentuated, despite compact actual proportions. Meanwhile, the Stepway features discretely bulging rear haunches and an arcing roofline tapering to a concise rear treatment.
A step-up successor
A compact and comparative lightweight at an estimated 1,055kg, the Stepway develops 66 kW at 5,250rpm and 135 Nm at 2,500rpm, which allows decent estimated headline performance figures including 11-seconds 0-100km/h acceleration and approximately 170km/h top speed. Confident and responsive to throttle input from a standstill, the Stepway is progressive through revs and in power and torque delivery.
Playful yet predictable
The Sandero’s “slingshot” style of operation as a speed build-up while ratios seamlessly alter and revs are held in a high torque range lends the Stepway what seems like a more versatile and confident mid-range for overtaking and incline. Driving the front wheels, the Stepway meanwhile feels more predictable and eager through corners than with the added weight of a front-biased all-wheel-drive system.
Smooth and stable on road for its compact crossover class, the Stepway drives much like a keen and light front-drive hatchback through corners, despite sitting higher off the ground than the regular Dacia Sandero hatchback it is based on. Turning tidily into and leaning slightly through corners, the Stepway’s wide track lends good stability. Meanwhile, the lack of sudden power diversion to the rear makes the Stepway predictable and consistent in road-holding, and with its lightweight and small wheelbase, it is agile and adjustable through corners.
Well-packaged and practical
Refined for its segment, the Stepway is comfortable and settled over most imperfections, with its modest 16” FLEX wheels providing good absorption, durability and help with steering feel. A decidedly urban-oriented crossover, the Stepway should be capable of better than expected but moderate off-road ability, if past experience with other front-drive Renault-Dacia vehicles is to go by. With front-drive, short wheelbase and overhangs, low weight and usefully high 173mm ground clearance the Stepway would be expected to make short work of many dry, unpaved dirt roads.
Tall, compact and with a relatively big glasshouse, the Stepway is well-packaged with good visibility and is pleasant but unpretentious inside, with large uncomplicated controls, buttons and instrumentation, and seems well put together. The driving position is good and accommodates taller drivers, while rear space is decent for its class. Well equipped with useful mod cons, safety and infotainment features, if not advanced high tech equipment, the Stepway meanwhile provides easy boot access and 320-litre volume, which expands to 1,200-litres with its 60/40 split rear seats folded down.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 3-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
Power: 66 kW @5,250rpm
Torque: 135 Nm @2,500rpm
0-100km/h: approximately 11-seconds (estimate)
Top speed: approximately 170km/h (estimate)
Fuel capacity: 50-litres
Length: 4,089mm
Width: 1,994mm
Height: 1,555mm
Wheelbase: 2,589mm
Overhang: F/R: 846/654mm
Kerb Weight: 1,055kg (estimate)
Ground clearance: 173mm
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes: F/R: Ventilated discs/drums
Tyres: 205/55R16
Article source: https://wheelwonderings.postach.io/post/renault-sandero-stepway-takes-on-the-urban-jungle
