Renault South Africa has introduced the Sandero Stepway as the flagship model in the Sandero range.
The first urban SUV-style crossover in the entry-level AB sector, the Sandero Stepway promises the safety, space, practicality and affordability of the traditional Sandero, complimented by a new level of style, versatility and the appeal of a SUV-like compact crossover.
“The arrival of the Stepway marks an important new chapter in the Sandero story,” says Xavier Gobille, managing director of Renault South Africa. “It adds a compelling lifestyle element to the already established Sandero virtues, and offers local buyers a unique alternative to more conventional vehicles in the budget sector.” Gobille points out that the Stepway represents a further commitment by Renault to the SA market. “Like the other Sandero models, the Stepway will be produced at the Renault Nissan Alliance assembly plant in Rosslyn.”
The Stepway is based on Renault’s B0 platform, which was designed to accommodate a wide range of products with different body styles and engines to meet varying customer needs.
The Stepway stands head and shoulders above the rest of the Sandero range – quite literally – with a 20 mm taller ride height and 16-inch alloy wheels, giving it a decidedly more capable look when thinking of our country’s dirt roads. Setting it apart are integrated front fog lamps, SUV-style roof rails, front and rear skid plates and a chrome-tipped exhaust tailpipe. The Stepway is also easily recognisable by its pronounced wheel arches, a black radiator grille with satin chrome-finished accents and black-masked headlights. The satin chrome finishes have also been extended to the exterior mirrors, roof rails, skid plates, door sills and door handles. As a result, the Sandero Stepway’s styling positions it firmly as the most aspirational model in the range.
The interior is characterised by charcoal cloth upholstery, offset by silver cladding on the seats, as well as metallic-look detailing for the centre console and door handles. The driver’s seat is height adjustable and the Stepway retains all the cabin space of the standard Sandero, which is on the generous side by AB segment standards. The dashboard also features a one-piece construction to eliminate rattles, while also being designed to minimise injuries in the event of an impact. Interior materials have been selected for both durability and youthful style – although having the buttons for the electrically operated front windows located on the centre console felt a little quirky, especially considering there is a small plastic cover plate marking the spot on either door where the button would traditionally be found. Luggage space is good, with 320-litres on offer, which can be expanded to 1 200-litres when the rear bench seat is folded down.
The Renault Sandero Stepway is equipped with a number of standard features that ensure its range-topping status. The list includes power steering; a trip computer; air-conditioning; selective remote central locking; electric front windows; as well as a four-speaker sound system with MP3 compatibility and iPod connectivity. Like its Sandero siblings, the Stepway also benefits from a number of active and passive safety standards. The braking system links vented front discs to self-adjusting rear drums, controlled by a the latest Bosch 8.0 ABS anti-lock braking system. The system incorporates electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and emergency brake assist (EBA). In terms of passive safety, the Stepway is fitted with a collapsible steering column, dual front airbags, inertia reel seatbelts, and front and rear head restraints.
The Stepway uses a conventional MacPherson strut-type front suspension layout, while a H-type torsion beam does service at the rear. Combined with rack-and-pinion power-assisted steering, the Stepway responds consistently to steering inputs. The local launch was held in torrential rainfall at times, but the Stepway still offered positive levels of grip on Kwa-Zulu Natal’s tight and twisty passes, helped in part by the 195/55 profile tyres. Through the sugar-cane fields, on some very slippery dirt roads, the Stepway’s front wheels were spinning in their search for grip on the steeper hills, while the car’s black side mouldings served to protect it from any nasty stone chips. 300 Kilometers of driving proved the Stepway is comfortable, both in terms of seating and the suspension, which rides the bumps without being nervous or uncomfortable.
The Stepway is available exclusively with a 1.6-litre engine. The 8-valve, four-cylinder, is common to the Sandero range and musters a modest feeling 64 kW at 5 500 r/min and 128 Nm of torque at 3 000 r/min. Despite the Stepway’s low kerb weight of just 1 013 kgs – no heavier than other Sandero models – and slightly shorter gear ratios, the high revs at which the peak power is attained means most hills require a down shift using the 5-speed manual gearbox. The Stepway accelerates from rest to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and has a 175 km/h top speed. The engine returns an average fuel economy figure of 7.2 l/100 km, while the CO2 emissions rating is 183 g/km.
Those in the market for a budget car shouldn’t overlook the Sandero on account of its generous interior space and resulting practicality. The Stepway takes this a little further and adds a welcome dose of styling to the mix too. Priced at R149 900 including CO2 emissions tax, the Stepway has the appeal of a larger car, with the price of a smaller one – sounds like a good recipe to us.
The price includes a 3-year/45 000 km service plan, a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty.
