- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
2020 Dacia Sandero Stepway Hatchback. 3rd generation
The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a five-seater, five-door hatchback with a higher ground clearance, developed by Renault (France). The model is based on the Renault Logan. The third generation of the popular affordable car has been available on the market since September 2020.
A high ground clearance improves mobility, and the unpainted plastic body kit better preserves the body parts under difficult operating conditions. In addition, off-roaders and SUVs are traditionally perceived as vehicles for the wealthiest buyers, so the purchase of an affordable crossover version makes it seem like the car owner has a higher status.
On September 29, 2020, the manufacturer released the third generation Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway hatchbacks together with the new third generation Dacia/Renault Logan. The entire family of cars is based on a simplified version of the global CMF-B platform. The cars were first presented on September 7, 2020.
Exterior
The new Sandero Stepway has turned out to be much more remarkable than its predecessor: an expressive, slightly aggressive front face, interesting LED running lights, a slightly sloping roofline, expressive relief of the hood and sidewalls.
The new hatchback is 4,072 mm long, 1,733 mm wide and 1,559 mm high. The trunk compartment measures 360 liters, and with the rear seats folded down increases to an impressive 1,200 liters. The car can boast of an SUV’s ground clearance of 201 mm when empty and 174 mm when loaded.
Interior
The hatchback has retained its humble and quite unpretentious interior. However, the new generation now looks better and is finished with more quality materials. Ergonomics have also been improved. Thus, the steering wheel is now height- and reach-adjustable (by 25 mm). The gear lever is shorter, and the center console is slightly turned towards the driver. It comprises an 8-inch touch screen for high-end trim levels. The row spacing has increased by 42 mm.
Powertrains
The new Dacia Sandero Stepway will only be available with 3-cylinder engines. Initially, it will come with a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated engine with 65 hp, coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox. More expensive versions will have the same 1.0-liter turbocharged engine with 90 hp that can be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. There is also a dual-fuel engine, which is the most fuel-efficient option: the total cost of fuel consumed per kilometer is reduced by 30% compared to a petrol engine. The turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is called the TCe 100 ECO-G. ECO-G is the name given to petrol and LPG engines. The car features the MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a semi-independent suspension at the rear.
Equipment
Equipment also plays an important role when choosing a car. The entry-level Dacia Sandero Stepway 2021 is equipped with the Media Control modular multimedia system with a removable stand for smartphones (which can be connected to it), while the control keys on the steering wheel will work; there are two speakers, a USB connector and Bluetooth. The expensive versions of the Sandero Stepway have a built-in 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The entry-level version comes with six airbags, front and rear belts with pretensioners, an automatic braking system (works at speeds up to 170 km/h) and blind spot monitoring system. The list of equipment of the new Stepway comprises electric power steering, LED headlights, parking assistance system (with front and rear sensors, rear view camera), starting assist system, keyless entry system, heated front seats, automatic air conditioning with digital control. Depending on the market, the car can also be standardly or optionally equipped with an electric parking brake, automatic wipers, a remote tailgate opening system and an electric sunroof.
