Dacia launches Sandero Stepway for the UK

Dacia is launching a crossover version of its Sandero hatchback. Called the Sandero Stepway it adds a more rugged look with bigger bumpers, black wheelarches and metal underbody guards at the front and back. Dacia is the new budget brand owned by Renault and the Sandero Stepway will join the Sandero and Duster when the firm launches in the UK next year.

The Stepway costs just £600 more than the standard Sandero with prices starting at just £7,995 for the entry-level Ambiance version. It will be available to test drive at Dacia dealers from January with the first cars arriving in May.

Along with the more outdoorsy look, the Sandero Stepway also gets a 40mm higher ride height which means it will be easier to get in and out of. Despite the looks it's not four-wheel drive though, this is still a car designed mainly for town driving. It has a large boot with 320 litres of carrying space and 60/40 split folding rear seats.

There are two engines - a 0.9-litre TCe petrol and a 1.5 dCi diesel both with 90PS and designed for economy. The Sandero only weighs around a tonne and with the turbocharged three-cylinder TCe engine it returns a claimed 52.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 125g/km. The dCi is even better with an official fuel economy figure of 70.6mpg while CO2 emissions of 105g/km mean annual VED of just £20.

There are two trim levels - Ambiance and Laureate - with all models getting electric front windows, front fog lights, Bluetooth, metallic paint, a CD stereo, ESC stability control, Isofix child seat mounts plus driver, passenger and front side airbags.

If you want air conditioning you have to go for a Laureate which also adds electric rear windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, sat nav, auxiliary and USB inputs, a seven inch touchscreen, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Leather upholstery is even available as an option at just £600. Four metallic body colours are available - Cinder Red, Mercury, Pearl Black and Azurite Blue.

If you're worried about the fact Dacia is a new brand to the UK, it was voted 'Europe’s most reliable car brand' in a survey of 30,000 car owners in five western European countries last year. The new brand is giving buyers the option of buying an extended warranty with five and seven year options cost £395 and £850 respectively.