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Judging by Renault’s latest design of the Kwid Ultra, we are surely in for a real treat when the new Sandero Stepway makes landfall somewhere in 2021. The French manufacturer has never shied away from interesting designs and relatively good value for money for its showroom cars.
Oh dear. For reasons which don’t matter anymore, I’ve test-driven this exact model before and after this review. Don’t despair though, dear reader, for I aim to bring you a fresh look at this bargain basement hatchback crossover thingy.
Renault is a strange old brand. It started just a few months shy of the year 1900 and has always danced to its own tune. They’re reasonably big on motorsport but never bothered much with luxury cars. At some point they aced all EuroNCAP crash tests but still focused on affordable transport for the masses; like this Sandero Stepway.
Like many South Africans, I don’t always agree with new car pricing strategies and as a result, all cars I’ve ever bought were pre-owned. Thus it’s a refreshing change to test one of S.A.’s cheapest (and locally built) vehicles in the Dacia-flavoured shape of Renault’s Sandero.
Something tells me the year is drawing to a close. The temperature has breached tolerable levels, the beach I frequent for irregular walks looks like the mall usually does on a Saturday and the jingle-laden mall itself looks like it’s about to burst at the seams.