In-depth reviews

Dacia Sandero Stepway hatchback owner reviews

Name: Dacia Sandero Stepway hatchback
Brand: Dacia

“The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a rugged supermini with SUV aspirations, lots of space and small running costs”

by Carbuyer team

18 May 2020

Carbuyer Rating

2.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.4 out of 5

Price

£8,380 - £14,225

Buy used for less at Buyacar SPECIFICATIONS

87%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

42reviews
4reviews
4reviews
3reviews
1reviews

Common Problems

Gearbox / clutch (3 cases)
Other (8 cases)
Engine (3 cases)
Suspension (1 cases)

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Totally reliable so far. No problems at all. Bit rough around the edges but ideal for town/country use. Stands up to hard treatment of transport of garden stuff, building materials etc remarkably well.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

DCI

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I bought it because of its height from the ground (my wife couldn't get into the Fabia any longer) and didn't really expect much. But it has been a pleasant surprise. I've had no problems in 12,000km and fuel consumption is remarkable (pity it's a dirty diesel!). The engine is excellent, pulls really well (in the mountains!), and, overall, apart from rather heavy steering at low speeds, the car is a pleasure to drive. I use it a lot on dirt roads, where it performs very well and I load a lot of garden stuff, plants, etc which it manages in its stride. In fact one of the good things about this car is that it isn't a wonderful, shiny, beast that you are terrified of spoiling; it's fairly basic, but can stand up to rough treatment and does its job very well. One tip for people with large loads. Despite what the dealer says, you can take the squab of the back seat out of the car. When you do this and put the back seats down, you have a small van.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

laurete 1.5 DIESEL

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Have now owned the car for 2.5 years and covered 21,000 miles – we are still very pleased with the overall performance. We've just returned from a trip to Cornwall and covered 863 miles; it gave us a fuel consumption of 58mpg. It's comfortable and and easy to drive. Our only possible reason to change might be to get a larger boot space, and even then it would be another Dacia possibly a Duster. This car has done everything we have wanted.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

laureate

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

BRILLIANT - This is the second Dacia i've had and to date I've not been let down by either of them.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I walked into the showroom as this car was put on forecourt. I saw it before they had checked it over, took it a test drive and fell in love. It eagerly responded to acceleration and the engine has good torque. It's good on motorways where you can use the cruise control, and the steering feels positive. It has sat nav and air con – though it's a top of the range model it's probably the equivalent of mid-range on some other cars, but the value for money seems great and I'm happy. The only con is that servicing can be a bit pricey and the clutch cable sticks occasionally but doesn't cause any problems.

Reliability

5 out of 5

So far so good. starts first time

Performance

5 out of 5

Good torque and flies up hills, runs ok on motorway and country lanes.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Good on fuel 600 miles plus on a tank

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 Tce Laureate

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Ok, first off I indeed looked at the Dacia due to price, although I like the overall style of the Sandero Stepway. Also there are “reports” from some magazines which really give this model a disservice. They are so wrong in my opinion. We have owned the vehicle for 5 months and it has been a lovely car to travel in. The tCE engine, also fitted to the latest Captur, Micra and Clio is a gem of an engine, it really is and as much more power than some have given credit for. We Recently took it on holiday to the Lakes and it was no problem with 2 adults, 2 children and luggage. The engine is running at around 2500rpm at 70 Mph and remains smooth and free revving all the way to 6500rpm. You will enjoy this unit more if you elect to leave the Eco button off as the engine is very keen to pull with minimal loss of economy. My view is if you are not a badge conscious sole (therefore sensible) you will not be disappointed with one.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Excellent with only a minor issue with a roof gutter seal.

Performance

5 out of 5

You may think they fitted the wrong engine as it drives much nicer than 0.9 suggests.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Over 50 miles per gallon is good for this car type

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Review

Does what it says on the tin reliably and efficiently. It's no Range Rover, but it doesn't pretend to be.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laureate 0.9tce

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Great car, pity about the warranty. Have had a clutch shudder since almost new I.e. Since the first year. Dacia refuse to fix under warranty as they say is a wear and tear item and the dealer, Parks Motor Group wanted approximately £1K to fix. So if you are buying a new Dacia be aware that the warranty is not what it should be. My rating is low because of the dealer and the manufacturers inflexibility to repair a fault which manifested its self within 12 months. For that reason it's unlikely I would buy another Dacia..

Reliability

No reliability issues so far

Performance

Not bad at all for a wee three pot with a turbo. Will rev happily and the turbo does the business. As I said I love the car, but the backup is rubbish....

Running Cost

2 out of 5

Never make the claimed 52 mpg . Usually about 47.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Absolutely brilliant, Superb value for money, Mine has Air con, built-in media unit with Mobile phone connection through Bluetooth, Usb port Sat nav. 4 electric windows, Fog lights daylight running lights. It is easy to get into Very comfortable, with plenty of room inside and in the boot

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

15dci lauret

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Owned the car for 5weeks now and can only say I have been impressed with the way it drives and handles. At the moment it is averaging 57 mpg and the diesel engine is very flexible, also I am looking for all the negatives that the professional vehicle testers have written in their reports eg, noisey engine and vibrations, steering ,room by the clutch pedal which I have not found yet so if you are thinking of purchasing a Stepway go ahead and give it a good road test and I am sure you will be impressed. Will report again when it is about 6 month old

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laureate 0.9 petrol

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

This car 'Does what it says on the tin' the boot is spacious but perhaps to the cost of rear seat legroom. It is comfortable & easy to drive & providing you do not rush the gear change the controls are fine. Visibility is excellent and driving position good. If I changed anything I would illuminate the dials permanently as they are difficult to read on a dull day, and I would upgrade the Sat-Nav to accept post-codes. When I change this car I would certainly consider another Dacia Stepway.

Reliability

5 out of 5

So far very good.

Performance

For a 900cc turbo-charged engine, very good.

Running Cost

Average for car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 dCi Laureate

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I bought the Stepway Laureate 1.5 dCi from a car supermarket for £9,300 at only 4 months old, saving quite a bit on list price. It was a 500-mile round trip but worth it. The car has covered over 22k miles with only a clutch issue which, although it took 3 trips to the main dealer and was eventually resolved (Bristol Street Garage), my local dealer County Garages found the problem and sorted it out, hence they are now my port of call after the first dealer couldn't identify a fault. Having been used to 2.0-litre-plus company cars, the Stepway may not have the pulling power, but it works well on all roads and in all conditions and achieves between 55-60 mpg. It's ideal around the country lanes in Devon which can be extremely dirty, due to the raised height it makes easy it to clean around the wheelarches with a pressure washer. If you have driven on country lanes recently they are not that far away from farm tracks full of potholes, the Stepway copes well in these conditions. My wife loves the car and uses it several days a week - this leave me with the Kia Rio (2014) which has a painfully slow 1.2-litre petrol engine, which is absolutely useless around the lanes (especially the hills), although a more refined car I prefer the Stepway! The load space is amazing, its surprising how much you can fit in the back with the seats down and on the roof rack (which is easy to fit to the robust roof rails). To sum up don't be put off by some of the reviews, take one for test drive and see what you can get for the money.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 dCi Signature

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Owned the Dacia Sandero Stepway for just over a year, it's been a great car. I bought the top of the range one to get the extras, but even the top of the range here in Ireland does not come with sat-nav just a CD player, you would think at 17k euro it would be included. The car runs and drives great, it's easy on fuel and cheap to tax, good on long journeys, comfortable and the cruise control is good. There are a few things that could be improved on, I had to change the wipers to aero blades as the original wiper blades would lift on windy days causing them to judder. The boot lock needs to be a button, using the key all the time is a pain. The paint finish on the rear passenger side door is a bit poor in a few places. Just after the first service my mpg has dropped from 58 down to 52 and the fuel gauge is reading differently, at 45 litres of use the reserve light would start flashing, now it is one bar above the reserve when you have used 45 litres. Would I recommend this car? Yes I would for the money you pay - you couldnt get an easier-to-run car brand new and I will buy another one in 2 years' time.

Reliability

No problems with engine, had to change wipers to aero blades to stop wiper judder on windy days, fuel gauge issue now reading differently after first service.

Performance

1.5 diesel is very quick for size, plenty of go to overtake, much better than the 0.9 turbo petrol I test drove.

Running Cost

Was getting 58mpg until first service now down to 52mpg based on full tank to empty figures rather than trip computer.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

TCe 90

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Great value for money. What you see is what you get plus more. After my 2012 Fiesta I found this to be quite nippy. Maybe not as plush as other cars but you will pay over the odds for something to sit in an office car park. I really enjoy driving the Stepway. The Fiesta is getting boring. Have a test drive of the Stepway and I bet you'll be impressed. Don't be scared of the Dacia name - it's really a Renault.

Version

1.5 diesel

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've had this car only eight months and I can truthfully say that I hate it. Brought it from Renault Croydon who are quite frankly the worse car dealer I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Car has been back to them 3 times for various issues, rear water squirters not working, loud tapping noises coming from engine on acceleration (apparently due to loose pipes) fixed twice but now tapping/knocking again. Now booked into garage for the 4th time and is only just over a year old. Car lacks any sort of refinement, cheap plastic dashboard, sluggish, road handling awful. A real shame because I absolutely love the exterior look of this car but the interior looks just so bland and cheap. Really disappointed I was hoping for so much more. There are a couple of good points, fuel consumption is ok approx 55 mpg 65 on a long run. Sat Nav works well, Bluetooth for phone ok although classed as hands free it's not really as no voice activation so that could be better. Would I buy this car again ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

Reliability

3 out of 5

Never broken down but bits of it don't work/come loose.

Performance

2 out of 5

A snail moves faster.

Running Cost

4 out of 5

MPG good.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 Diesel

Year of registration

2015

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

I bought this car one month ago. I was opting for a Renault Captur but when I got there, there were no available cars for a test drive. I was ready to leave, when I saw the Dacia Sandero Stepway. I asked whether they had an available car for a test drive. They did. So I drove it. And I loved it. The price was 13,000 euros (approximately £9,700) for a full extra edition. The starting price for a manual 1.5 diesel Captur was 15,000 euros (approximately £11,200). And for a full extra edition it was 17,000 euros (for the Captur). I must admit that I never got to drive the Captur so I can not compare it with my Stepway. The interior though, I have seen it and it is a bit more elegant, and the exterior is quite a novelty although controversial. But I was so pleased with my Stepway that I really don't care whether the Captur was a better choice. You see, in my country cars are a bit cheaper.. I drive my car around very comfortably, it has a very nice driving position. Of course I am comparing with my previous car (a Peugeot 207CC convertible) which was very low and had a very bad driving position- although I loved that car too). Anyway, my car is very smooth to ride, has a huge fuel economy, allowing me to move around with half the money I would spent on fuel for my 207CC. The engine is very quiet. Unlike what I have been told for diesel engines, this 1.5 diesel is really good. As far as I know, it is an awarded Renault engine and it is the same in many Renault, Dacia and even Nissan models. Some people think that it is obsolete, but I like the use of a car key. Those cars with special keys, that activate the engine remotely, not my cup of tea. But is is a matter of taste after all. The GPS in the navigator is very useful and fully updated. The other thing, is that in my country (Cyprus) almost every road has speed humps. They are inevitable. So for me it is important that the car I ride would pass over them smoothly. And it does! I have no complaints. I also have a 7 year extended warranty which is more than enough for me. I paid 13,000 euros, less than £10,000 for a new, full extra car with 7 year warranty. For 10,000 euros I would have bought a 5 year used Nissan Qashqai Tekna edition. With 100,000 km on it and without any warranty. Between a used and a new car, the choice was obvious.. Plus, my diesel engine is soooo good!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laureate

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Having owned this car for over a year, I was very dubious about buying an unknown brand, but it's been a great car. Much faster than the engine size would lead you to suggest. Much faster than my previous Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Sport. Had no issues whatsoever. Economic to drive too. Highly recommended.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel laurette

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Have now owned the car for 3.5 years I am extremely pleased with its performance/ fuel consumption/driving is a pleasure we have just returned from a trip to Wales and it was recording 55mpg when the time comes to renew it will be another Dacia so go and give it a try.

Reliability

5 out of 5

so far very good

Performance

5 out of 5

The diesel seems to get better

Running Cost

5 out of 5

very good

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Ambiance

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've travelled 55 miles a day for the past 4 and a half years in my Sandero without one problem. It's better value than any other car out there. I've just bought another 2018 plate Laureate model top of the range, they're well built robust cars built to last!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I bought this as my first car and have a happily owned it for just over a month! I absolutely love it and highly recommend to others who want a cheap and reliable car. I use it everyday travelling from the west coast of Scotland into Glasgow city and back home again then journey to my stables. It is a great little hybrid between a city and a reliable agricultural vehicle (thanks to is suspension and boot space). It does have some pros and cons which I have listed below :) PROS: HUGE boot space, very spacious interior, quicker than you'd think it is with quite a kick to it even in the 0.9l. Reliable and very cheap to run - I fill it up once for the week costing £40 to fill (with a £10 top up at weekends) and travel well over 400 miles per week. CONS: Handling on wet and sharp corners can be a little dicey at times. Brakes a little sticky on wet. Gears are a little clunky. Radio has a weird layout. Air conditioning is noisy. Car noise can be heard inside quite loud - especially in rain. Rear roll down windows are an inconvenience when front are electric. Cheap interior. No specific numbered indicator for fuel measurements (only blocks like an Audi) Besides these few nit-picking points I love this car! You get what you pay for but you do get a lot for your money! Great first car for someone.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Extremely reliable! Not had a single issue in either city or country environments.

Performance

Great to drive and very quick considering its only 0.9! Only lost a star for me as sharp or wet corners can get tricky sometimes - got to hold on tight!

Running Cost

5 out of 5

cheap, cheap, cheap! I have saved so much money with this car compared to driving a Corsa previously

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel laurate euro 6.

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Bought this car after my son bought one about 2 years earlier. Car drives well and is fairly comfortable. Fuel consumption around 55 mpg but hoping for a bit more when engine loosens up after a little more mileage. Mindful of the exhaust emission system that needs at least a 20 minute run when engine is fully warm to keep the particulates filter clean. Don't use sat nav as it is not a live system giving traffic updates so use phone app which connects seamlessly with the Bluetooth system.

Reliability

4 out of 5

So far so good. No reliability problems. Car came with LHD headlamp unit which was sorted quickly.

Performance

5 out of 5

If you want to do race starts at traffic lights then this is probably not the car for you. I find it quite nippy when needed, and more than suits mt needs.

Running Cost

4 out of 5

With 55 mpg and zero road tax. Service cost around £160 per year with 3 yr service programme. Could be a lot worse. Cam belt replacement recommended at 5 yrs. 3yr std guarantee + road side cover.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Stepway Tce 90

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I bought my Stepway April 2016. It's comfy for me, at age 74 with a knackered back, and I find it easy to drive. I live in France where the country roads are rough and it rides the bumps well, as well as having no trouble with muddy verges. I use the ECO function in towns, cruising at 130 km/h on cruise control is easy, but it comes into its own on mountain roads, a bit like a mountain goat. It does get a lot of rough treatment, I have a bit of red tape stuck on the tach at 5,500 revs as it will red line very quickly. All in all the Stepway does everything one could want. It's a great car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 Laureate

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

We bought this pretty much on the advice of honest John and haven't looked back . The car is tinny and basic, but it's a fab runner on short, long and motorway drives . Of course it's not the luxury of our previous Audi, but we now have spare cash in our pockets. We bought the Stepway Laureate 1.5. When we bought it the road tax was only, and fuel consumption is awesome. I Can fill the tank and it lasts two weeks. The same trips in our Audi meant refuelling every three – we have saved so much fuel money! We have just had the snow and my husband was stunned at this Dacia, which could go where other cars couldn't go or were stuck. The Dacia did everything asked of her. So far we've had no issues as yet after two years. It's been serviced by Renault who are fab, and the car has just passed its first MOT. Again, there were no issues. I like how I step up to get into the seat . It's nice not have to struggle in and out of the car. The boot is a nice size, but it has a high lip to put shopping or items over it and we have to lift the dog into the back. But it's still fine. It was practically a new car when bought. I do miss luxury heated seats but the money saved on buying the Dacia has given us luxury quality life and that's more important. But the Dacia is comfortable and has enough space for our family .

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

petrol tce90

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Easy to drive, comfy (an eight-hour drive is no problem), ideal for all uses. All mechanics are smooth, it goes well – the tCE 90 motor winds to redline at 5,500 easy.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Ambiance tc90

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

We read many professional reviews before deciding that we would go for a Stepway Ambiance and accept that we may have to put up with some perceived shortfalls, balanced by a lot of space/practicality for not a lot of money. We have to say nothing could be further from the truth, everything about the car has been above our expectations, it's comfy, perky and with a level of equipment far beyond the purchase price. Also, I have to ask, where is the pronounced body roll so many professional reviewers mention ? Driving around the hills of Lancashire we are still awaiting it's appearance. So if you're thinking about buying one, take one for a good test drive and decide for yourself on the cars own merits, don't be put off by some negative reviews.

Reliability

4 out of 5

only had the car for 1 month, no problems as yet.

Performance

4 out of 5

pretty good for a 0.9 engine

Running Cost

4 out of 5

seems very fuel efficient, stop/start helps.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5dci Laureate

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Ignore what you read about this car, it'll only put you off. I read all the reviews out there and bought one anyway. All the comments about the diesel engine being a 'constant companion' in the cabin, the poor ride, vague steering, excessive body roll and reports of poor quality and reliability, I can't identify with that at all and that's after years as an Audi driver. It is different but in a friendly and acceptable way. After just a day it will feel completely normal. On the first day the steering will feel a bit heavy and not exactly pin sharp, the seats might feel slightly too soft and the body does roll a bit, but only a bit. It's quite a tall vehicle, that's to be expected. The steering soon feels normal, the seats are very comfortable and the body roll, well you just go a fraction slower round the corner don't you? It's cheap, well equipped, well built and simple to own with a huge boot, loads of interior space and feels like it's going to last longer than I'm likely to own it. Driving 30,000 miles a year I don't keep anything more than a couple of years and so far I don't imagine this will be any different. Personally I ignored the motoring press who're so used to driving latest offerings from Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes that anything else doesn't quite get the recognition it deserves in their eyes. I love my Dacia Sandero Stepway, you'll love yours too.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Faultless. In 6000 miles nothing has dropped off or broken.

Performance

5 out of 5

It's not a rocket but it pulls along smartly and keeps up with the traffic both in town and on the motorway.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

60+ mpg and almost 900 miles on a tank of diesel, zero road tax, cheap insurance and servicing.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 Diesel Laureate

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I purchased this car 5 weeks ago after doing a lot of research. It is a fantastic car for the money and looks better due to me removing the stepway stickers and an aftermarket ariel and a set of large mudflaps to make the car less giraffe like. My only main niggle is the EXTREMELY SOFT PAINT! After one motorway trip I have been left with chips on the edge of the bonnet not one but 4!! Can this be an issue with the paint thickness / quality?? Overall I would 100% recommend this car as a good decent sized decent spec economical comfortable car for the money!!

Reliability

5 out of 5

No issues

Performance

5 out of 5

Great steady performance without having to work the diesel engine

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Excellent mpg first tank full 621 miles 59 mpg!!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 Diesel Laurette

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

This car is very good value for the money, when I brought the car I looked at the market and this cost under £12000 but a Renault captur was £17000 This is not a sporting car but most of my driving is in London where this is a very good The car has been faultless up to now

Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems in 17000 miles

Performance

This is as fast as the traffic around it in London It is noisy but for the price it is OK

Running Cost

5 out of 5

52 miles per gall One service cost £305.00 Only windscreen wash needed no oil used

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 TCe 5dr Laureate

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

Absolutely LOVE this little (but doesn't feel little) car! Have spent the last 20 years driving round in company cars and was a little worried this budget vehicle might be a disappointment. Far from it. When not in Eco mode the engine is nippy and the vehicle agile enough to nip in and out of parked cars etc. It's also brill for the school run as it's very easy to park. Hardly ever seem to need the fill it up and the extra head-room makes it brilliant for kids climbing in an out of booster seats. If you need any more plus points, the boot is surprisingly spacious and more than adequate for my Ridgeback to chill out in (with parcel shelf removed obviously!) Basically I drive around feeling very smug about my purchase and am not expecting to see many of these available second hand until they're several years old minimum. If I had to find something to pick at it would be: wing mirrors could be designed to provide a better all round view for both parking and motorway driving and space in the back is fine for kids but I wouldn't recommend if you'll be having adults in the back on a regular basis. That said I've driven up and down mountains in the lakes laden down with 4 adults, 2 of which are well over 6ft tall, the car did well up and down the hills despite the weight - and the grown-ups could still walk when they got out at the other end :-) In a nutshell, I would and indeed have recommended both the car and the dealer I bought it from (Arnold Clark Huddersfield) to friends and family with total confidence.

Reliability

Have not had a spot of bother in the last 6 months even through middle of winter.

Performance

Fantastic, gets me in and out of where I need to be. Out of eco, very responsive. in eco responsive option still there but you have to put your foot hard down so when it kicks in it can be a bit of a shock until you get used to it.

Running Cost

Very economical. Tank currently costs about £45 to fill up and I regularly get 500 miles on a tank, even out of ECO and/or on the motorway.

Version

Laureate

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Car was rather dangerous... the doors have very sharp edges and 7/10 you will bang your face/head into them. Also you have to keep opening the boot separate which is very annoying. There is a black tap when the boot is open which is really sharp - I cut my head on it a couple of times, headlamps just died on me after 2 years of owning and if you use the sat nav you can't use radio until 3/4 hours later cause the sat nav voice keeps coming on. The car looks nice outside but it's a real drab to be honest. Avoid this and buy an Hyundai i10 instead.

Version

Comfort

Year of registration

2019

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Purchased a pre-registered Sandero Stepway with 8 miles on the clock. Car drives unlike any car I have owned before - when in a low gear, it's sluggish and does not seem to like going slowly and it feels like it will stall. Only when the turbo kicks in, the car then surges unexpectedly and basically control of the car is reduced this can be problem on corners as the car sometimes tries to overreach and move into the outer lane this has to rectified quickly. I think this is a problem with this type of engine. I would like to return the car but no doubt I would have to fight to get an alternative car with more refined control.

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Review

At first I really enjoyed the car, I believed that it was a good price for the car I was getting. It wasn't brilliant to drive but was ok, with cheap tax, no frills interior but had all the essentials I was looking for. I had read great reviews about the reliability of the car. How wrong I was! 50,000 miles and the engine has a fault that cannot be fixed, so needs a new engine at the cost of 6K! Dacia have said that this is not under warranty anymore so refuse to help. If you are thinking of buying a Dacia be very aware that they are not made to do 100,000 miles as with a typical car. You get what you pay for! I would spend more for a car that has long term reliability.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laureate DCI 1461 cc

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

67.4

Review

You would be a MUG if you purchased anything other than a Dacia Sandero. This is the best value car I have ever purchased in 50 years, granted it is not stylish but it is brilliant at transporting us and our bales of hay or chicken feed anywhere. Not that we are always moving hay and feed around, bet when we have to it is excellent. On the motorway it will cruise at the speed limit all day long without any trouble. Fuel consumption is excellent, I receive an average of 67 mpg. Insurance and all other expenses are very low, and nothing has ever malfunctioned. As I stated IF YOU PURCHASE ANYTHING ELSE YOU ARE A MUG & WASTING YOUR MONEY.GET ONE !!!!!!!!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 turbo petrol

Year of registration

2016

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've had the Dacia Sandero Stepway 0.9 from new, it's now approxatelt 9 months old. The 3 cylinder engine is a refined unit and is also used by the new Nissan Micra. My only gripe is that it can be a little slow in eco mode when setting off from a near standstill in 2nd gear this can be a bit of a challenge if you have a car bearing up on you. I agree about the electric window switches they should have been situated on the door panels which they have now done on the 2017 model. When you consider the difference in cost compared to the Renault Captur you're getting a lot for your money, especially when it is sharing some of its switch gear and the use of hard plastics. In terms of faults, there is a slightly annoying rattle coming from the drivers side door panel which I will tolerate until the 1st service. All in all very satisfied and would certainly get another.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Tce90

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

Despite the small engine the turbo really gives it zip. The steering is precise and the interior is well thought out. I talk about the Stepway all the time and would recommend it. Just because the price is below others in this size doesn't mean it is below par in performance & comfort. I would buy Dacia again.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I bought my stepway almost a year to the day. Pound for pound it is the best car I have owned. I have the diesel version Laureate. I had a test drive in the petrol version,very good but as I planned on travelling in this country went for the diesel. This car cruises easily at 70-80 on motorways at low revs on eco,great on fuel and very comfortable and quiet. I have never felt any vibration from the steering wheel accelerator pedal as stated by pro reviews. I have found the sat nav, audio and air con to be first class and easy to use and I am no expert in these matters. I found the elec window controls positioning strange at first but got used to them (would be better in door rest). Key unlock on boot no problem. Just had first service,very thorough and detailed at a third of the price of my Focus. It can be very nippy and corners well I have felt no roll as I certainly did in the focus. Overall it has been a great buy so thank you Dacia

Reliability

5 out of 5

Very good

Performance

5 out of 5

Better than I hoped especially on motorways,

Running Cost

5 out of 5

This has been good as I can do a lot of 3 mile trips as well as motorway

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.6

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

8.9

Review

Good value for money.

Performance

average

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

tce 90

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Decided to try this vehicle after many years of loyalty to Ford Fiesta.looking for a 5-door vehicle to suit grandchildren, 7,200 to change to 5-door Fiesta! Just 3,000 to change to this vehicle. I have been mega impressed with this car! Regular runs up to Bristol, sometimes four per week, absolutely takes it all in its stride. Top economy, makes the fiesta look like it had a drink problem! No problem at motorway speeds, do not believe the negative line taken by reviews comments of "cheap". A good solid 5-door car, for the same price as the most basic fiesta

Reliability

5 out of 5

no problems so far

Performance

4 out of 5

the 900 cc engine is a little stormer,top gear at 70 on motorway is just 2,900 revs,not been left wanting yet!

Running Cost

5 out of 5

frugal!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 tce Ambiance

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

The Stepway is a basic car and nobody should really try and pretend otherwise. You will find last season’s Renault hardware mercilessly recycled into the interior, and bells and whistles are limited: The more basic Ambience model doesn’t come with air conditioning, a built-in sat nav or a fuel computer. It’s hardly the apocalypse, it just feels like what it is, a car designed around a price point. For me however this is practically a plus. I work mostly outdoors and the idea of not having to take a carpet cleaner to fabric panels installed in the doors and over parts of the dash is easily worth having what some people see as a ‘cheap’ plastic interior. It may be all plastic but it’s well designed and the hardware doesn’t feel recycled, there are no large holes, rows of blanking plates or parts which bash into each other. The car is also pretty easy to upgrade and it’s easy to sort out any issues you have with a limited feature list. Sure there might not be a console around the handbrake but when you can buy one for a tenner is it really worth worrying about whether you should spend thousands more on a premium branded car to get a more finished feel? The engine is an absolute gem. It pulls far better than most clunky 1.somethings and feels like a definite step above an entry-level car. As with all things in this car if you’re spoiled by driving the latest top of the range cars then you will be disappointed. For an £8k car though you’d normally expect absolute rubbish - this is a happy exception. As for the ride itself, it rolls a bit but it’s not a deal breaker. Unless you insist on pretending you’re at Silverstone every time you go to the shops then you’ll barely notice it. The roof bars introduce a small amount of wind noise and with the back seats down you can hear a bit of road noise coming from the rear. On longer drives it also becomes quite apparent that there is nowhere to put your left foot. This is so much of a first world problem that I feel embarrassed even mentioning it. One thing the Stepway is absolutely not is an off-road vehicle. It has decent chunky wheels which will give you a bit of extra purchase on the road, it is raised enough that you can bounce down a trackway without fearing for your exhaust but that’s it. This is a family hatchback on stilts and performs accordingly. After about 5,000 miles the fuel gauge failed but aside from that and noticeably soft paint it has performed very well. No car can ever be without its faults and quite frankly for what they cost I was expecting a few trips to the dealer to sort out things here and there. I have been very impressed with the quality overall and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Stepway. It put a brand new car within my reach and has been a reliable and enjoyable drive from day one. If you want to spend double the money then no doubt you will get a better car - I don’t think it will be twice as good though. At the end of the day you pays your money and you takes your choice, I’ve been very happy with my mine.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 dci lauriet

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I saw a couple of Dacia Stepways driving around and thought they look a smart car, and after further investigation, found they were a more rugged version of the Sandero. I ended up taking delivery of a new one on Christmas Eve in Cinder red. It's a fantastic car, great to drive, comfy ride, quiet engine, good sat nav and stereo system. There is only one complaint I have about the car is that the boot only opens from the outside with the key, there is no button or catch to open it, there is a boot release next to the drivers seat in the car. So I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a compact smart looking family car. 10 out of 10 for the Sandero Stepway!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laurette 1.5dCi

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I think car buyer have missed the point about this car. It is cheap and NOT cheerful. The faults they found are irrelevant and to be honest it seems that the attitude is ....well it can't be that cheap so I must find faults.... Anyway I have had the car for a week now and it is excellent. Comfortable quick and excellent MPG im getting 60 around town. Being top of the range I paid 11k and the car has sat-nav, air-con, Bluetooth, Reversing sensors, cruise control and speed limiter. Seats are very comfortable and durable. Fairly quiet drive and sound system is very good indeed (it beats the pants of my old 2010 Vauxhall Meriva) love the speed limiter as you set your required speed and you will not go over it, its not cruise control as you still press the gas pedal but you cant go over your chosen speed, so handy for average speed restrictions or if you are a stickler for speed limits. Car buyer seemed to complain about the "vibrations" coming from the pedals .....err what on earth?? its fine and another pointless complaint. Love my car as its cheap and the road tax is only 20 quid! how good is that.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Laureate

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

I bought a Dacia Sandero Stepway for my wife last week, and so far I have been really impressed. We went for the Laureate version which came with sat nav, media player, bluetooth, reversing sensors, heated mirrors, on board computer etc, and it is packed with equipment we did not expect for a budget car. Around the lanes, it is easy to drive with good visibility, and on the motorway it does ok too, although you won't win any land speed records you certainly won't be in the slow lane either. Road noise is noticeable at speed, but not so bad that you can't live with it (we turned the radio up!) We have the 900cc turbo petrol engine version, but quite frankly you soon forget about that after a while (my motorbike engine's bigger!) as it's quite sprightly as long as you're in the right gear (it's got gear up/down indicator as well). So, so far so good. We went out to find a secondhand car and after wandering in to a Renault dealer, came away with a brand new one. It's too soon to give a mpg average yet, but the signs are good - the fuel gauge has hardly moved after about 200 miles. So the missus is happy, and I'm in her good books (for the time being!)

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Review

At first I was very pleased with the Stepway it seemed like a good value car with a non frills interior, good fuel economy and low tax. The drive itself was ok, it was never going to be amazing but seemed decent value for money for a family car. Until the car has done around 50,000 miles and the engine malfunctioned. Dacia refused to fix and wanted 6k for another engine, almost the same as buying another car. These cars are not made to do the typical 100,000 miles you would expect from a car, if you want a long term option look elsewhere.

Version

0.9 TCe Essential

Year of registration

2018

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Bought this car to replace an ageing Citroen C1 as a second car, the reasoning being that it offered more space and a better ground clearance for driving on tracks (I live in SW Scotland). Basically, it's a good car for the money; quite roomy, the TCe engine is remarkably powerful for such a small engine in such a large car, and it's well equipped, even in the Essential version. But we had to get rid of it because of the doors. These are flared up over the roof, so that when opened there is a quite sharp corner pointing inwards from the main line of the door. My wife has only one eye and cannot judge distances well. Within the first two weeks she had twice caught the side of her face on these corners, either when getting in, or when opening the back to put shopping on the back seat - a problem compounded by the fact that the boot can only be opened with a key, making it more likely to put things in the back rather than try to unlock the boot with a handful of shopping. It seemed to be only a question of time before she took out her one remaining good eye on a door corner, a risk we were not prepared to take. Other niggles: Despite driving gently on country roads, I never managed to get the right side of 50mpg, even in eco mode, which reduces the performance drastically (similar driving of its replacement, a Suzuki Ignis, has yielded 70mpg). The lack of a boot handle/button is a pain (see above), and it was very noisy on rough surfaces. The fuel filler becomes extremely slow if you want to fill the tank right up, making it a long-winded business. Overall then, still a good car for the money, but beware the doors and fuel consumption.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 tCe

Year of registration

2018

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I bought my first Sandero Stepway Laureate in 2014, did 40k miles in it and never once had to return to the dealers for repair other than annual service. It was totally reliable wether in town or on motorways including long distance holidays to Cornwall (we make a 700 mile round trip every year). Yes, there are rivals out there offering a bit more in extras but everything you really need such as air con, Bluetooth, sat nav, on board computer easy to navigate, it has it and for the money it takes some beating. I don't get this roll when cornering some mention. If you drive sensibly it is a little dream to handle and does its job on Motorways, country roads and slow moving traffic without leaving you feeling knackered at journey's end. There are minor niggles such as sharp edges on the door corners, boot locking device but these are nothing compared to its overall job of being a good honest car, cheap to run, reliable, roomy and comfortable. We traded it in in April 2018 for the newer version with a lot more refinement. Got a good price and this later version is better than the first. We have had it six months now and as with the old one it has not needed to go back to the dealer for any niggles or faults and has been in and out of London, up and down motorways and our holiday to Cornwall. Typically, I didn't achieve the quoted economy, but it's not bad.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Faultless

Performance

For a 900cc turbo charged engine it works. Easy around town, well within itself on longer journeys

Running Cost

Servicing prices reasonable. MPG could be a bit better but my style, where I drive has to come into the equation

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Petrol 0.9 Ambience

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Having had a Volvo for over 10 years, I was sceptical about owning this little Dacia Stepway. I needn't have worried! Okay so the inside is basic and doesn't have air conditioning for that one day of summer the UK experiences a year and I miss having a temperature gauge to tell me how cold it is outside, but other than that, it's perfect and I love my car. I wanted an affordable four door car with five seats and a big boot - I got all these requirements with the Stepway. I bought second hand and have (touch wood) not had any issues with her. I drive predominantly in eco mode but when I need to join a motorway or zip around a roundabout, I take eco off and boy does he fly. Negatives: The windscreen wash needs filling up more regularly than other cars I have had and there was a slight paint issue on the drivers door (which the dealer dealt with promptly). Also, as mentioned, the lack of a temp gauge ircks me, but it's no big problem. Positives : the initial cost of the car and the room inside and the fact that he drives very smoothly. If you are thinking about going for a test drive, ask the dealer to borrow the car for a few hours. My husband was determined not to like this car, but he couldn't find anything wrong with it - hence it is now sitting on our drive. I have had a few people ask me what I think of this car and I respond "I love it".

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

laureate 1.5 dc

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've had the vehicle for 2 years now and have been very pleased with it. The fuel consumption great, performance is fantastic and it is a pleasant car to drive. We use the car for running around town and do a lot of trips to south Wales and it does everything that is asked of it. We have been so pleased that we may look at the Logan Stepway as this gives us that extra space but still has the Dacia benefits. So if you are thinking about this car go ahead and give it a test drive.

Reliability

no prolems

Performance

1st class

Running Cost

good

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9tce Ambiance

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I think some of the people that reviewed this car have spent way too much time behind the wheel of cars that are around four times the price of the Dacia!I simply can't find any of the faults they mention. I've not had mine long but have covered several hundred miles trouble free and considering the fact that it only has a 0.9-litre engine the performance and fuel consumption are quite impressive. I would say to anyone considering a Dacia Sandero Stepway to read the reviews but definitely take everything they say with a huge pinch of salt, after all it is only someone's opinion. All considered so far a brilliant car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel laureate

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've just done approx 500 miles on a trip around Devon and the vehicle was returning up to 70mpg on the motorway and never fell below 58 mpg on other roads.The car was a pleasure to drive and handle.

Reliability

5 out of 5

So far this car has done everything that I have asked of it that is long trips and around town

Performance

5 out of 5

Getting better as the engine loosens up

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Very low as no road tax and fantastic fuel consumption

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

laurette 1.5 diesel

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

W have now owned this car for one year and we are more than pleased with it, we use it for local and long trips, on our last long trip we attained 64mpg. Performance wise it is very good and has no problem keeping up with other traffic. During the year I have been looking for points that the expert testers spoke about no room at side of clutch pedal noisy diesel engine, vibrations from the engine and sloppy handling on cornering. As an ex motor engineer I can see that none have appeared yet. On the results of our first year another Stepway will be top of our list. So if you are thinking of a Dacia Stepway go and give one a good test run

Reliability

5 out of 5

so far no problems

Performance

no problems

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Good mpg, tax exempt, paid for 2 year service plan up front

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 diesel Laureate

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I have owned this car for 18 months and I think its fantastic value for money. The only problem I have had is a faulty Media Nav which I hope to get sorted soon. With regard to fuel economy, on a recent trip to Cornwall, the Stepway covered 825 miles before a refill was needed. After 325 miles it was still showing full tank and I was concerned that the fuel gauge was stuck. Admittedly i drove with a lightweight foot and a lot of the journey was motorway but i am over the moon with the performance of this car.

Version

laureate

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

great looking car..but really rubbish to drive..when you turn a corner you lean also

Performance

utter rubbish

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

0.9 TCe Laureate

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Review

I wanted a car that was higher up but not too large. Having looked at the Vauxhall Mokka, Nissan Juke and Renault Captur and studied reviews of these cars I decided to opt for the Dacia mainly due to the large price difference. I have had my car for a month and can honestly say I can't fault it. The interior is comfortable and it has everything its rivals have i.e. sat nav, parking sensors etc. For such a small engine the acceleration is really impressive especially up hills! I am finding this really fun to drive - good vision, comfortable, brilliant turning circle and sharp brakes! My husband has had a top of the range Skoda Yeti for a while but he uses every excuse to drive mine when he can as he is equally impressed with this car. The only difference I have found is that the driver's seat adjustment is not on a ratchet but apart from that I am finding it difficult to fault. Some people say this car has a cheap interior but I think it is perfectly adequate and if people want to pay a third more for swankier plastic that's up to them. I prefer value for money and I think the Dacia offers that.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.9 Diesel Laureate.

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

59.7

Review

Having taken a test drive, I bought the top of the range "Stepway", I needed an economic mid sized car. I purchased a "mercury" coloured top of the range "Stepway", it has averaged, 55.9mpg to 62.4mpg, from day one, the drive is "sparkly", for a small diesel, not to noisy on tick over, very quiet at normal road r.p.m. Comfortable ride, easy to park, interior is quite grey but serviceable, seating is very grippy and firm, very comfortable. Only gripes, the factory tyres are noisy, no spare wheel. Overall, a comfortable, economic car, it's big plus is it's "price", you get a great car, built with tried and tested Renault parts. Look closely it's the new Renault "Clio", more a "Captur" for half the price! They are in my opinion well built, have everything anyone needs in a modern car, a well made, safe modern car, with a great modern look. The car is nearly a year old, the only fault, I have had, the "Media Nav" ( LG ), has failed, it will be replaced next week. It's covered 8,200 miles, no problems at all, and averaged 59miles to the gallon, in comfort and safety, the styling is "brutish" from the front, but up to date, all round. I would highly recommend to all, who ask me, I'm very pleased, all I want in a modern car, and economic to boot!!