- 27.05.2019
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- Test drive, Cars
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- SMH agency
There have always been a huge number of different opinions around the French automobile industry, the most popular of which is that these cars are incredibly boring and created for those over 60. However, without trying it for yourself, you should not draw conclusions. Therefore, the editors of our magazine decided to take the Renault Sandero Stepway all-terrain hatchback, which recently appeared on the domestic market, for a test drive and understand what this “Frenchman” is like, especially since we got a car in the City configuration with a CVT that had just appeared on the market.
First impressions
When I was informed that a new test car had appeared in our editorial office, I was happy, but when I found out that this car was a Renault Sandero, I was pretty upset. “Another boring and cheap car,” I thought. I also immediately remembered that even in the legendary Top Gear show, presenters Clarkson and Hammond always joked about James May, who liked the Dacia Sandero (for us it’s the Renault Sandero). I was quite curious if the car was really as boring as people say it was. Doubts regarding stereotypes also arose due to the fact that millions of people across the country choose Renault cars and are satisfied with their choice. Therefore, without thinking twice, I came to the Renault dealership in order to pick up the “controversial” hatchback.
When the manager and I approached the car, I was pleasantly surprised: instead of the gray and unremarkable car I was expecting, I saw a bright car that not only had a distinctive red body color, but also a modern design. Filled with vivid emotions that I did not expect at all. I got behind the wheel of the car, and from that moment my acquaintance with the new Renault Sandero Stepway began.
Renault Sandero Stepway hatchback 5 doors 2021
The Renault Sandero Stepway, following the Sandero hatchback and Logan sedan, decided to update. The restyled car was presented at the end of August 2014 at the 2014 Moscow International Automobile Salon. Do not forget that for the automotive market of Eastern Europe it is presented under the Dacia brand, but for us Russians the name of the French brand remains unchanged - Renault.
The appearance of the car is almost completely identical to the second generation Logan (of course, except for the rear). During the update, the Renault Sandero Stepway received a modified form of optics, a different front bumper, and a new false radiator grille, which emphasizes the features of the fresh design. The rear of the car was also tweaked: the trunk lid was modernized thanks to a different shape of the headlights. Not only the plastic body kit, but also the roof rails on the crossover are responsible for functionality. Also, all this created a more respectable, serious appearance of the car, its new bright and memorable image. The increased ground clearance (195 mm), suitable for Russian realities, allows us to talk about this “five-door” as a functional and practical car. Well, let’s not forget about the stylish 16-inch wheels, which are a real decoration for the exterior of the Sandero Stepway model. The interior is spacious and comfortable, making it pleasant and comfortable for the driver and passengers to be inside. Note the large trunk, which holds 320 liters.
Buyers can expect a Media Nav multimedia and navigation system for their money, including a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and USB input, as well as cruise control, speed limiter and rear parking sensors. The car can be powered by two different engines: the first, petrol, has a volume of 1.2 liters and a power of 75 horsepower. The second, 1.6-liter, is powered by diesel fuel and is capable of producing either 82 or 102 horsepower.
Exterior and interior features
I got the car in one of the most “top” available modifications called City Drive. Moreover, the buyer’s choice of a car in this particular version will be constantly reminded by the “City” nameplates located on the thresholds and the central pillar of the car.
What attracts you most about a car? Color, wheels, headlights, body features... Renault engineers and designers took into account all consumer preferences and paid attention to every detail of the car's exterior: Stepway City has an all-black protective cover on the front and rear bumpers, black glossy mirror caps and black roof rails. Black accents are also complemented by chrome trim on the fog lights and door handle trims. The car received a new red-burgundy body color, stylish two-tone 16-inch wheels and new LED front optics, which harmoniously fit into the appearance of the car and made the front of the car more lively.
The interior of the Stepway City series also has new elements, for example, a new ergonomic steering wheel, which contains control buttons only for cruise control: Renault still prefers to place the multimedia control unit behind the steering wheel. Speaking of multimedia, the car is equipped with a Media Mav 4.0 system with a 7-inch touchscreen monitor that supports not only USB, but also Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car is equipped with a standard navigation system with a very clear interface, and the screen itself responds to touch almost instantly.
The center console and door handles have an additional animation with a texture called “Twist”, which reminds me more of carbon elements. In any case, it looks stylish, and certainly better than plastic “wood” inserts.
Otherwise, the interior of the new Sandero remains the same: all the same vents and dashboard, the same gear shift lever, and, finally, all the same “Spartan” materials, which feel like they are made of reinforced concrete (remember the price tag and forgive this small flaw in the car). The seats of the car are made of fabric and have very nice stitching with an ornament.
From the very beginning, the speedometer and driver's visor did not seem entirely convenient to me: the first has an inconvenient division into speed (not 60, 80, 100 km/h, etc.), but (50, 70, 90 km/h), and the second It is equipped with a mirror without any cover, so when driving with the visor down, the reflection slightly distracts the driver. But it's all a matter of time and habit.
Feelings behind the wheel
Let's look at the car from the driver's side as it moves. Of course, Stepway does not have excellent dynamics, but for its “horses” the car drives, and, moreover, quite briskly. Do not forget that the car is positioned as an all-terrain vehicle, which, accordingly, has increased ground clearance. Therefore, the car has a significant roll when cornering. Otherwise, high ground clearance gives the driver only advantages: ease of movement both in the city and outside on light off-road conditions, as well as a very comfortable fit and good visibility, which is also improved thanks to the low window line. By the way, the small dimensions and high seating position of the car will allow you to park the first time without much difficulty.
Photo gallery and video of Renault Sandero Stepway 2021
You can get acquainted with the French new product in the photo and video from the test drive.
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Chassis and technical characteristics
Stepway City is equipped with a modern automatic continuously variable transmission CVT X-Tronic paired with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a power of 113 hp. By the way, this combination is also installed in larger Renault Kaptur, so for the compact and lightweight Sandero Stepway this engineering solution gave more dynamics. As for consumption, the “French” again pleasantly surprised me: in the combined cycle the car “sniffs” only 6.7 liters of 95 gasoline per 100 km.
Despite the fact that the car is equipped with a CVT, when you press the gas pedal more than a third, the transmission imitates step shifts, like a traditional automatic transmission. The box also has a manual mode, which allows the car to drive a little faster, but fuel consumption immediately exceeds 9 liters.
Driver functions
Sandero Stepway in our modification has front and side airbags, electrically adjustable mirrors, a stability control system with anti-slip and hill start assist functions, air conditioning with climate control, the control of which is located under the multimedia monitor. Even lower is the control for the rear electric windows, cruise control and speed limiter. A pleasant bonus for the buyer will be the Renault Start remote engine start system, the range of which reaches up to 200 meters.
The package includes heating not only the front seats and side mirrors, but also the windshield, which is a relevant option in our harsh winters.
Bottom line
Our communication with Renault Sandero Stepway lasted a week. During this time, I drove more than 700 km, which helped me draw a conclusion: this car cannot be classified as a “retirement” car used for trips to the country with seedlings. This Sandero is perfect for both beginners and experienced drivers, both girls and boys, both young people and older people. This is a truly versatile machine that combines simplicity and, at the same time, keeps up with the times, having modern options. I do not rule out that if it weren’t for such a good package, my opinion would have changed. However, we are talking about a specific car in a specific configuration, and I had very pleasant impressions of this car.
Soft and reliable. Test drive Renault Sandero Stepway Life City 1.6 CVT
The all-terrain hatchback Renault Sandero Stepway is made by slightly modifying the serial Sandero through inserts in the suspension, due to which the ground clearance has increased by a couple of centimeters and amounted to 195 mm. Engineers installed softer springs and selected shock absorbers to match them. Now a modern variator from the Japanese company Aisin has been added to this set. The new transmission revealed unexpected facets of the car. We study how the Sandero Stepway behaves with a pretentious, expensive automatic transmission while driving along the rough spring roads of the Golden Ring.
