Renault Sandero Stepway vs Renault Sandero comparison

It is a common practice among automakers to make special modifications based on conventional vehicles. Previously, charged versions were often found with a stiffer suspension, improved performance, dynamics and a high top speed.

Now it is practicing the transformation of ordinary hatchbacks into SUVs. In fact, they are just off-road hatchbacks, although the manufacturers themselves insist on the close proximity of developments to SUVs.

Some consumers consider the crossover hatchback to be nothing more than a commercial move. They add a black plastic body kit around the perimeter, slightly increase the ground clearance, and increase the cost. Because of this, there is a lot of controversy as to whether it makes sense to overpay and whether a simple hatchback is so different from its crossover version.

Renault Sandero is a prime example of such a controversial car. On the basis of this compact hatchback of the European B class, a cross version was made. And here it will be interesting to determine which of them is better and whether there are really significant differences between the cars.

General technical information

It's worth starting with the general technical characteristics that are relevant for the Sandero hatchback and the Sandero Stepway cross-hatchback. This comparison will help you understand what both cars are based on and what they have in common.

The front-wheel drive subcompact hatchback Renault Sandero was introduced in September 2012, but under the Dacia brand. The Renault logo moved to the car in the summer of 2014. The last update for the Russian market of the 2nd generation Sandero was shown in July 2018, after which sales started.

At the heart of the hatchback is a front-wheel drive modular platform M0 with a transverse engine and extensive use of high-strength steel to create a monocoque body. The front suspension is independent, MacPherson struts are used here. The rear suspension is semi-dependent with a torsion beam and hydraulic shock absorbers. Anti-roll bars are installed in a circle.

The rack and pinion steering gear with hydraulic booster is already in the basic configuration. The front brakes are disc and ventilated, and the rear drum units. From the start, the car comes with an ABS system.

The Russian version of the all-terrain hatchback based on Renault Sandero, which was named Sandero Stepway, was presented in the summer of 2014 in Moscow. An updated modification was released in 2018. But the changes only slightly affected the exterior, the interior was slightly modified and several options were added. The car is distinguished by a solid body kit and increased ground clearance up to 195 mm.

The platform of the 2nd generation Stepway is the same as that of the Sandero. Similar suspension with identical architecture. The car was slightly improved to adapt to Russian conditions. In particular, an anti-gravel coating was applied to the bottom, the seams and joints were treated with mastic, the fuel lines were hidden in special plastic casings, and the engine crankcase was covered with steel protection.

There are ventilated disc brakes in the front, and classic drums in the back. The steering system consists of a rack and pinion mechanism and a hydraulic booster. In the database, you can count on ABS and EBD.

So far, we can say that the cars are almost identical. But there are some distinctive features. This mainly concerns the adaptation of the pseudo-crossover to the Russian climate and roads.

Exterior and external dimensions

If you look at the appearance of Renault Sandero and Renault Sandero Stepway, it is not difficult to guess how they differ. The difference is immediately visible due to the plastic body kit, accentuated wheel arches and more impressive ground clearance. Plus, there are roof rails on the Stepway, additional protection elements for the front and rear bumpers are used.

Objectively, the Stepway version looks better and more attractive. The car looks like a real crossover. And for many consumers, this is a big advantage. If you remove all these additional crossover elements, you will not feel the difference in the exterior of the two cars.

The overall impression of the two Sandero versions is positive. The cars look nice, modern and tasteful. Considering the cost and class of models, it was hardly worth counting on something more.

Special attention should be paid to the dimensions that are relevant for the usual Sandero hatchback and its crossover version Sandero Stepway.

The dimensions for Renault Sandero are as follows:

• length 4070 mm .;
• width 1733 mm .;
• height 1523 mm .;
• wheelbase 2589 mm.;
• clearance 155 mm. (under load);
• curb weight from 1100 to 1151 kg.

Sandero Stepway responds with these numbers:

• length 4080 mm .;
• width 1757 mm .;
• height 1618 mm .;
• wheelbase 2589 mm.;
• clearance (ground clearance) 195 mm .;
• curb weight from 1111 to 1127 kg.

Slightly increased overall dimensions are associated with an increase in ground clearance, as well as with the use of body kits. But the wheelbase remains the same.

Interior and luggage compartment

But looking for serious differences between the Sandero hatchback and the Sandero Stepway cross-hatchback is almost useless.

The Stepway salon completely repeats the interior decoration of the usual version of the hatchback. The only distinguishing feature is the improved sound insulation. This allows you to drive onto the ground and gravel while maintaining a fairly high level of acoustic comfort.

The interior itself is well executed, although it looks budget. The plastic is not hard, the materials are pleasant to the touch. There is a lot of space in front, but behind tall passengers, there may be a little lack of legroom. These are subcompact cars, so you can't expect a huge amount of space here.

Looking into the luggage compartment, you will not find any differences here either. In both cases, 320 liters of free space are offered when stowed. But if you lower the rear row, creating an imperfectly level floor, the loading area will increase to 1200 liters. For cars of this size, this is a good indicator.

Motors, gearboxes and their capabilities

When choosing a regular Sandero or Renault Sandero Stepway, technical characteristics can play an important role.

There is no significant difference, it is worth presenting the available configurations of the two machines.

Renault Sandero is sold in 3 versions in terms of engines and gearboxes:

• The most affordable option comes with an 8-valve 1.6-liter 82 horsepower engine. Fits only with front-wheel drive and 5-speed manual transmission.
• The next most expensive engine is 16-valve 1.6 liters and 113 horsepower. Complete with 5-speed mechanics.
• The most expensive version provides a 1.6-liter engine with 16 valves. He gives out 102 horses. But the high price is due to the presence of an automatic transmission. Such an engine does not work with mechanics.

And Sandero Stepway has one more configuration. As the cost of modifications increases, they look like this:

• 8-valve 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine with 82 hp. and with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox;
• 16-valve 1.6-liter engine and 113 horsepower with 5-speed manual gearbox;
• 16-valve 1.6-liter engine with 102 horses and automatic transmission;
• 1.6 liter 113 horsepower engine with CVT.

At the same time, dynamics, maximum speed and fuel consumption will be practically at the same level. The difference can be at most tenths of liters and seconds.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h will take from 10.7 to 13.9 seconds. The maximum speed does not exceed 177 kilometers per hour. For 100 kilometers of track in a combined cycle, you will need to spend from 6.6 to 8.6 liters of gasoline.

Mechanical versions are more economical and more dynamic. But for a city with heavy traffic, it is better to take an automatic machine or a variator. The efficiency and dynamics of the Renault Sandero are comparable to those of the Renault Sandero Stepway.There is no global difference here. The main difference is the lack of a CVT box for the regular Sandero.

Cross-country ability and handling

Since the cars use the same steering systems as identical braking units, there is virtually no difference in handling between the Sandero and the Sandero Stepway.

But the clearance makes its own adjustments. The fact is that the Sandero Stepway is a few centimeters taller than the usual Renault Sandero hatchback. This has a positive effect on cross-country ability, but makes the cross-hatchback less stable at high speeds. Since the owners of such cars rarely squeeze the gas to the floor and reach the maximum speed, the driver will not really feel a significant difference in the operation of the controls.

But there is a serious difference in cross-country ability. Almost 20 cm of ground clearance, special body kits, protection of the engine crankcase, underbody and bumpers allow Stepway to storm something more than just asphalt. On such a machine, you can travel on the ground and gravel. It is not worth getting too carried away, since there is no all-wheel drive, and it is still a hatchback.

Security systems and electronic assistants

And in this component, it cannot be said which is better - Renault Sandero or Sandero Stepway. The car in two versions is offered with approximately the same set of options and equipment. Only the configurations of the cars are different.

In the base, Stepway has 2 front airbags at once. As the level of equipment increases, side airbags also appear. A regular Sandero has only one driver's airbag from the start, and an airbag for the front passenger appears only in the middle configuration.

Sandero is offered with cruise control, ESP and HSA systems almost at the top of the range. The same is available at Stepway from equipment level 2, right after the basic one.

Stepway is filled better from the start, it has more security systems and electronic assistants in the initial versions, while in the hatchback they appear only in the Life and Drive trim levels.

Options and prices

Comparison of Renault Sandero and Renault Sandero Stepway cars in terms of the offered configurations and current prices will be more illustrative.

To do this, contact an authorized Renault dealer in Russia. The comparison shows that there are 3 trim levels available for the conventional hatchback:

• Access.
• Life.
• Drive.

At least 577 thousand rubles will have to be paid for a hatchback. The cost of the Drive configuration starts at 748 thousand rubles.

Sandero Stepway has 4 equipment levels:

• Life.
• Life City.
• Drive.
• Drive City.

But here the pricing policy is different. The minimum equipment costs from 739 thousand rubles. Drive will cost 823 thousand, and Life City costs at least 840 thousand rubles. The richest version starts at 923 thousand rubles.

In many ways, this difference is justified precisely by the equipment included in the cross-hatchback. Plus, do not forget about the crossover appearance, improved noise insulation, body kits, bumpers, underbody protection and engine crankcase. These are all important improvements that require additional money to be spent.

Who to give preference to

For many potential buyers, the question remains as to what to choose if the regular Sandero and its crossover version Sandero Stepway are offered.

In terms of technical performance, the difference between the machines is minimal. But behind the crossover appearance, there are significant improvements and improvements to the body, there is protection for the engine and the bottom, and an increased ground clearance is offered.

If you do not know what is better to choose between the Renault Sandero hatchback and the Sandero Stepway cross-hatchback, pay attention to the conditions in which you plan to operate the car. If you live in a city, you are not going to travel outside of it, and the quality of the roads is quite good, it would be logical to choose the Sandero city hatchback.

A cross-hatchback will be a priority option for those who live in the suburbs, or in the city, but often travel outside of it. Who needs to drive on bad roads, sometimes storm the ground and gravel. Stepway more effectively withstands the harsh climate, has improved noise insulation, body protection. Given the reality of Russian conditions and weather, for most people who want to take Sandero in one of the modifications, Stepway will be the priority option.