Summary
The Dacia Sandero Stepway was an upgraded and off-road styled version of the Sandero supermini hatchback. The model seen here is the second generation, which was launched in 2013 and facelifted in 2017. Production ended in 2020 ahead of an all-new Sandero that arrived in the UK in Spring 2021.
Despite the looks, the Sandero Stepway had minimal off-roading ability and was not available with four-wheel drive. However, this is relatively common among similar hatchback-based SUV/crossover vehicles.
The Sandero Stepway received particular praise from reviewers for its spaciousness, decent equipment levels and low running costs. Like all Dacia models of its generation, its absolute performance in any area against rivals wasn’t great, but when considered against its very low prices, it was considered excellent value for money.
As of April 2024, the Dacia Sandero Stepway holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 56%. It scores top marks for its excellent reliability record (although this may change as we get more data) and also gets good grades for its low running costs. However, its safety scores are poor in comparison to newer cars and media review scores were not very flattering.
- Dacia Sandero (2013 to 2020) – Expert Rating
- Dacia Sandero Stepway (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Dacia Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £9,195 on-road
Launched: Spring 2013
Last updated: Winter 2018/19
Replaced: Spring 2021
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6.8 / 10
“It won’t write any headlines for its road dynamics but the Dacia Sandero Stepway is good value for a low price – a better option than the standard Sandero.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway adds a touch of rugged off-road presence to the value-focused Sandero hatch.”
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Model reviewed: Techroad TCe 90
Score: 6 / 10
“Taken as cheap, honest and decently equipped family transport, the Dacia Sandero Stepway is cheery and hugely affordable.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Techroad
Score: 7 / 10
“It comes equipped with a rear parking camera, seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone syncing, LED headlights, electric windows and door mirrors, a raft of safety systems and a number of other shiny extras.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 0.9-litre petrol manual 90 TCe
Score: 6 / 10
“Austerity has never been so endearing. I can’t wait to park one next to the Range Rovers at Waitrose.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a rugged supermini with SUV aspirations, lots of space and small running costs.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway defines cheap and cheerful motoring. It’s spacious and well equipped for the price, but you always feel like you’re in a basic budget car”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway laughs in the face of the prices asked for other crossovers and jacked-up hatchbacks. We think the Stepway treatment gives the Sandero an unlikely touch of class, although this doesn’t necessarily pull through to the interior. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and easy to live with – what’s not to like?”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Sandero Stepway is the butched up, more purposefully styled version of Dacia’s bargain small car. Its looks are more or less just for show, but that doesn’t detract from the excellent value offered.”
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Model reviewed: 90 TCe
“For people living in the country who don’t want the expense of four-wheel drive and anyone in the suburbs who wants a butch looking car for sensible money the Dacia Sandero Stepway makes sense.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“Visually appealing SUV-aping looks provide no real advantage”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 0.9-litre petrol manual TCe
“The leap of quality from the standard Sandero was staggering, and it would only cost you around £2,500 more. I’m not normally a fan of crossovers but the ride quality afforded by the raised suspension was worth the money alone.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Family transport on a budget, but you can see the compromises.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol/LPG manual Bi-Fuel SE Twenty
Score: 6 / 10
“Dacia’s alternative to electrification is surprisingly simple. What’s even more surprising is how effective LPG is. It’s better for the environment than a petrol model, quieter and sweeter to drive than a diesel, and if you keep it running on gas the majority of time, it’ll save you a tonne of cash.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway is far from perfect, both in the way it drives and its poor crash test rating. However, it offers a lot of space for the money and the off-roader inspired looks will appeal to SUV buyers on a budget.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Dacia Sandero Stepway adds a better ride to the Sandero hatchback’s cheap and cheerful formula, and isn’t a considerable amount more expensive.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: May 2013
Date expired: January 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 79%
Vulnerable road users: 57%
Safety assist: 55%
Notes on safety rating
The Dacia Sandero range (which includes the Sandero Stepway) was awarded a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2013. However, this rating expired in January 2020 as the Sandero no longer met the requirements for a four-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Dacia Sandero Stepway to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Dacia Sandero Stepway was never lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 14
Average repair cost: £386.19
Last updated: April 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of April 2024, the Dacia Sandero range (including the Stepway) has a good reliability score, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy.
Although only based on a relatively small number of cars so far, the average repair bill is less than £400. This is reasonable, although it should be noted that engine repairs to date have been more expensive, with an average repair cost of nearly £800.
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More information
More news, reviews and information about the Dacia Sandero family at The Car Expert
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