The Sandero was the best selling model of the Romanian car-maker Dacia, with over 2.1 million units sold in just three years, and the Stepway version was responsible for 65% of those sells.

Dacia unveiled the second generation of the Sandero Stepway in 2020. The hatch-back version of the Logan was a European hit due to its small-class exterior size, compact-size interior room and budget price. That recipe was important and just a few customers cared that the car was fitted with old Renault parts. The car worked and the reliability index was high.

Dacia designed the Sandero Stepway as a true, budget alternative for other small crossovers. Even if it shared some parts with the regular Sandero, that trim-level showed a few styling differences. The front side featured a gray plastic shield under the bumper. From the sides, the black moldings around the wheel-arches enhanced the crossover look. The roof-rails featured a clever system that allowed them to be installed both longitudinally and transversely. A gray plastic shield enhanced the look for the rear bumper.

Inside, the Sandero Stepway featured orange lines on the vents. The lettering “Stepway” was embroiled on the front seatbacks. For the instrument cluster, the designers didn’t struggle too much and took the same panel designed for the Duster, the 4x4 SUV from Dacia. For the rear passengers, a split-fold bench made its appearance for the first time in the Sandero Stepway range.

At the time of its launch, the Sandero Stepway was available with a choice of three engines. The base version featured a 1-liter, three-cylinder unit. A turbocharged 1-liter unit powered the mid-level, and the top version was the 1.0-liter bi-fuel (gasoline-LPG) engine that developed 100 hp.

The second generation of the Dacia Sandero was introduced in 2012, and, in 2016, the entire lineup went through an ample facelift.
With a crossover market growing day by day, Dacia offered a lifted version for its small-segment hatchback, the Sandero. Due to its low weight and efficient engines, it was a good offer for those who searched for a low-budget car that could go over unpaved roads and still get good fuel-efficiency.

Like most of the facelifts, the Sandero Stepway received a new front fascia. The LED daytime running lights were included on the options list. The front bumper was inspired by the Duster, the light SUV built by Dacia. The designers installed a silver plastic shield under the front bumper and a pair of fog-lights on the sides. A three-squared lighting signature was introduced in the taillights. On top of the vehicle, a pair of roof-rails carried-over from the station wagon version (named MCV) was fitted as standard.

Inside, the Sandero Stepway featured a dedicated upholstery, with the “Stepway” name embroiled on the front backrests. An important step forward was for the infotainment unit, named MediaNav, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatible. There was limited room for two adults for the rear seats, but it was enough for the city or short trips.

Under the hood, Dacia prepared a choice of three gasoline and diesel engines with power ranged between 90 hp and 95 hp. All versions were paired as standard with a 5-speed manual transmission, while a robotized, single-clutch gearbox was on the options list.

The third new model debuted by Dacia at the Paris Motor Show is the Sandero Stepway, a rasied and more rugged version of the Romanian brand’s all new hatch.
It features the usual plastic body cladding, some rather big-looking rims (we’re guessing they’re 16-inch, though, they could be smaller) for this type of car. It also gets some practical roof rails, and quite a few Stepway stickers, both outside and in. The interior is exactly the same as that of the Logan and Sandero, with the compulsory stickers placed in plain view, of course. Under the bonnet, it will also share the entire range with the two aforementioned cars, which includes a 1.2-liter 16v petrol engine as the base, a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit, and Renault’s latest TCe 90 engine. If diesel is what you’re after, then you will be able to choose between the two available power outputs for Renault’s tried and tested 1.5-liter DCi engine - 75 or 90 hp. Now, while the car may look like a tall and mildly capable off-road machine, sadly Dacia will not be offering it as a four-wheel drive variant, as it would encroach on the Duster’s market share.

The Sandero Stepway made its debut simultaneously at the Barcelona Motor Show and at the “L’Atelier Renault” showroom in Paris.
The all-new Sandero Stepway is built on the B0 platform and is based on the Ambiance version. This version comes with a higher suspension and all-round extra plastic cladding to tackle some rougher terrains. The car comes in a choice of two engines: a 1.6L MPI unit (90 hp at 5500 rpm and 94.4 lb-ft of torque), and a 1.5 dCi powerplant (70 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 118 lb-ft at 1700 rpm of torque). The Dacia Sandero Stepway is manufactured in Pitesti, Romania.