Publications
Partners
Renault South Africa is on a hot streak. Speak to anyone within the brand and they’ll seem overly excited about everything they currently have on offer and with good reason...
Ever since the new Clio arrived in 2013, demand for the French automaker’s cars is at an all-time high in South Africa, add the impressively selling Duster and new Sandero to the mix and it’s easy to see why they’re glib about their prospects.
VALUE PROPOSITION
In May 204, Renault expands its Sandero range with the new Stepway derivative. The Stepway was the best-selling model in the previous range as its raised ride height, “outdoorsy” feel and value proposition made it a hit with families.
This new model seems to be hitting the same notes; it’s raised up off the ground by 193mm (29mm more than standard Sandero), kitted with roof rails, front and rear skid plates, 16” flex wheels (steel wheels made to look exactly like alloys), large wheels arch trims and fog lights.
Other than the front seats embroidered with Stepway badging, the interior remains the same as Sandero hatchback.
The Stepway has a leather steering wheel and gear lever, power windows, radio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel controls with cruise control. Boot capacity is rated at 292-litres.
POWER
Stepway uses the same engine as its hatchback sibling and its three-cylinder 1-litre turbo is capable of 66kW/135Nm. Economy is the biggest upside of the small turbo as fuel consumption is rated at a claimed 5.4 litres/100km.
The 1-litre turbo trumps the 1.6-litre used in the previous Stepway in each facet, even on the 0-100km/h sprint time, which is decreased by 0.4 seconds to 11.1.
Safety is where Renault really pushes home the value-for-money card. The Stepway is packed with safety features from the basics such as Emergency Brake Assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution and electronic stability programme to hill start assist and rear parking sensors.
During our 200km blast around Cape Town we found that the extra ride height goes unnoticed from the driver’s seat as the Stepway feels identical to its shorter Sandero sibling.
It isn’t until you need to mount a kerb to get that bonus parking at the beach that you are thankful for the extra bit of clearance.
The Stepway doesn’t have much to compete in its segment, its closest rivals would be the VW Polo Vivo Maxx, though at R175 000 the Vivo is R15 0000 more expensive.
PRICE
Renault Sandero Stepway - R159 900
The Renault Sandero Stepway is sold with a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a two-year or 30 000km service plan.
Ever since the new Clio arrived in 2013, demand for the French automaker’s cars is at an all-time high in South Africa, add the impressively selling Duster and new Sandero to the mix and it’s easy to see why they’re glib about their prospects.
VALUE PROPOSITION
In May 204, Renault expands its Sandero range with the new Stepway derivative. The Stepway was the best-selling model in the previous range as its raised ride height, “outdoorsy” feel and value proposition made it a hit with families.
This new model seems to be hitting the same notes; it’s raised up off the ground by 193mm (29mm more than standard Sandero), kitted with roof rails, front and rear skid plates, 16” flex wheels (steel wheels made to look exactly like alloys), large wheels arch trims and fog lights.
Other than the front seats embroidered with Stepway badging, the interior remains the same as Sandero hatchback.
The Stepway has a leather steering wheel and gear lever, power windows, radio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel controls with cruise control. Boot capacity is rated at 292-litres.
POWER
Stepway uses the same engine as its hatchback sibling and its three-cylinder 1-litre turbo is capable of 66kW/135Nm. Economy is the biggest upside of the small turbo as fuel consumption is rated at a claimed 5.4 litres/100km.
The 1-litre turbo trumps the 1.6-litre used in the previous Stepway in each facet, even on the 0-100km/h sprint time, which is decreased by 0.4 seconds to 11.1.
Safety is where Renault really pushes home the value-for-money card. The Stepway is packed with safety features from the basics such as Emergency Brake Assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution and electronic stability programme to hill start assist and rear parking sensors.
During our 200km blast around Cape Town we found that the extra ride height goes unnoticed from the driver’s seat as the Stepway feels identical to its shorter Sandero sibling.
It isn’t until you need to mount a kerb to get that bonus parking at the beach that you are thankful for the extra bit of clearance.
The Stepway doesn’t have much to compete in its segment, its closest rivals would be the VW Polo Vivo Maxx, though at R175 000 the Vivo is R15 0000 more expensive.
PRICE
Renault Sandero Stepway - R159 900
The Renault Sandero Stepway is sold with a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a two-year or 30 000km service plan.
