Renault’s Sandero Stepway (1.6) is actually a good looking vehicle. Way more interesting than the plain old Sandero first launched in South Africa. And, of course, extremely Proudly South African!
Touted as the crossover model in the range, it’s 20mm taller than its blander siblings and boasts increased ground clearance (meaning it’s going to be happier in the dirty stuff) and also sports roof rails, back and front skid plates, fog lights (in front), halogen headlights and a nifty chrome-tipped exhaust.
Oh, and 16” alloy rims as well, with wider footprint tyres to provide a better ride.
As with just about every French-badged car these days, you get a host of standard equipment: antilock braking, electronic brakepressure distribution and electronic brake assist, and power steering, collapsible steering column, and front and back head restraints. The interior is pretty smart too, with metallic finishes on the centre console and door handles. And it’s very spacious.
If truth be told, though, I found the (front) electric window buttons on the centre console irritating and the wind-up windows in the rear odd. And - more brutal honesty - the fascia finish looked a tad cheap. My conclusion was it was sexier on the outside than inside.
Still, it’s a budget car and, especially approaching it from the rear, an attractive one at that, so for R150 000, or just a smidgen under, you won’t do too badly with the Stepway. It’s no speed machine (64kW at 5500rpm and 128Nm at 3000rpm), offering a top speed of 175km/h, but consumes a not unduly thirsty 7.2 litres/100km. And because it’s made right here in SA, parts are easily accessible and really affordable.
On the road, it behaved well, and I must say I drove mostly in the rain, four days’ worth, which was an excellent test! Road and suspension noise were definitely audible but the braking was pretty top-notch and we always felt very safe in the car.
Xavier Gobille, managing director of Renault South Africa, said: “The arrival of the Stepway marks an important new chapter in Sandero story. And that it’s produced, like the Sandero, at the Renault Nissan Alliance assembly plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, is hugely beneficial for issues such has parts supply and the cost of ownership, as shown by the 2010 Kinsey parts report, where Sandero emerged as the most affordable car in the country.”
When you buy your Stepway, the price includes a three-year or 45 000km service plan and a five-year or 150 000km warranty - and you also get a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.