French crossover with local flavour

It's appealingly cocky.

Based on its value-for-money price tag, the fact that since inception the Sandero has already sold more than 7000 cars in this country and because it is the only entry-level crossover on sale locally, Renault is optimistic that its new Sandero Stepway (which is also now the new flagship of the Sandero range) is destined to become a big seller.

Moreover, of course the "Proudly South African" pitch is also going to help the Renault sales staff to up their sales commission cheques.

And it steps up to the plate

Not that their task is going to be too difficult because with the exception of one or two grumbles, the Stepway is a genuinely attractive option when measured against others in its class and price range.

For instance, Renault did a screw-by-screw comparison between the Stepway and one of the other top sellers in this category, the VW Polo Vivo Trendline, and the Frenchies reckon the Germans offer 17% less value than the Stepway.

At the Media launch I spent some time on motorways, quiet, winding country roads, built-up areas and on some seriously slippery, muddy surfaces during a thunderstorm of note in KZN and in my book the Stepway is an option that deserves serious consideration.

Nice, but a pity about the decal.

Let me give you a few examples of why I liked it, starting with its stylish, young and zesty wannabe-an-SUV looks which will appeal to both first time and last time new car buyers.

There is something appealingly cocky about the car's junior urban warrior stanch, raised ground clearance, 16-inch wheels, integrated front fog lamps, SUV-style roof rails, front and rear skid plates, and its chrome-tipped exhaust tailpipe.

Never a bundu-basher, but...

I also liked its pronounced wheel arches, black radiator grille with satin chrome trim which also extends to the exterior mirrors, roof rails, skid plates, door sills and door handles and the black-masked headlights.

The Stepway is never going to be a bundu-basher even though it has design elements that hint in that direction, but its raised driving position certainly gives the driver a much better all-round view which was particularly noticeable when we hit the mud and gravel. And the driver's seat is height adjustable to accommodate both the long and the short.

The cabin lay-out is modern, neat, attractive and functional which is unusual for French badges. It also feels spacious, thanks to the fact that it is 20mm higher than the Sandero hatch.

Talking about size, the Stepway's width, length and wheelbase comes close to C-segment measurements while its 320l luggage space rivals B-segment hatchback contenders (and it's more convenient, thanks to a wide-opening tailgate).

Front occupants have acres of space and three not-too-bigs can fit into the rear. The split rear bench seat can also be folded down to increase luggage space to 1200l.

it holds the road nicely, but may pant a bit on those lon-n-g-g inclines and when loaded.

But what certainly is the car's main attraction is its comprehensive list of standard luxury and safety features such as power steering, a trip computer, air-con, remote central locking, electric front windows, a four-speaker sound system with MP3 compatibility and iPod connectivity.

Occupant protection is enhanced by the latest Bosch 8.0 ABS anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA), a collapsible steering column, dual front airbags, inertia reel seatbelts, and front and rear head restraints.

Sure-footed

On the road - and particularly on gravel and in mud - the Stepway feels surprisingly sure-footed, thanks to its MacPherson strut-based front suspension and rugged rear torsion beam.

The Stepway's ride height has been upped to 175mm which makes it easier to negotiate more challenging terrain without compromising handling or ride comfort.

The ride quality is also surprisingly good for a vehicle in this price range. The steering is light and power-assisted for easy driving and parking, and the traction is more than adequate for a vehicle of this build and nature.

The five-speed manual gearbox has a shorter ratio than the Sandero hatch and is linked to the only disappointing aspect of the Stepway, which is its sleepy engine.

Under the bonnet rests (and it really seems to be resting most of the time) an engine which requires hard pedalling to maintain legal speeds, even at the slightest incline. And, to add to its woes, our Media launch drive was at the coast which means that up on the energy-sapping Reef the engine will be even sleepier.

The living quarters are well-appointed.

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Bearing in mind that we travelled with only two aboard I am sure with four occupants and a load of luggage aboard and long stretches of undulating road ahead, Stepway drivers will get grumpy because of the constant need for stirring the soup spoon from fifth, to fourth, to third and maybe even down to second and then all the way back up again once over the rise.

A tad tight, perhaps?

The eight-valve unit produces a peak power output of 64kW at 5500r/min, coupled to maximum torque of 128Nm at 3000r/min. which means keeping the revs up if you need full power and this will no doubt push up fuel consumption.

Renault says the Stepway will get from rest to 100km/h in a yawning (my word, not theirs) 11,5 seconds and is capable of reaching 175km/h.

On our launch drive and even down a slight decline we battled but could not get it past about 161km/h, but then, in fairness, the cars were all brand new and probably still a little stiff. Or maybe it was the wind. Or the speedometer.....or maybe just the engine.

Renault claims a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 7,2l/100km and a CO2 emissions rating of 183g/km.

The strange thing is that Renault is hardly short of engines and they could easily have slipped its more sprightly 16-valve engine into the same bonnet space or, perhaps even better, offered a second model choice fitted with the happier engine.

What's with the decal? What's in a name?

One can understand that Renault wants this car to bring in the lolly but it is already saving about 38% in the vehicle's overall costs by manufacturing it locally instead of importing it and how much extra would the zippier engine have cost them?

If I was Renault I would be a tad concerned that a potential buyer would take a Stepway for a test drive and enjoy everything about it but that he or she will be turned off by the sleepy coffee grinder under the bonnet and then stroll across the road and decide on a VW Polo Vivo, Ford Figo or a Chevrolet Spark.

Renault is hardly short of engines and they could easily have slipped its more sprightly 16-valve engine into the same bonnet space or, perhaps even better, offered a second model choice fitted with the happier engine.

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And while we are grumbling, the Stepway has a decal on the front door which most motoring scribes felt cheapened the brand. A neat metal name on the side or back would look much classier and will have added to the appeal of the car.

Decals are like tattoos - they have the same limited appeal (except if it's a small tattoo just peeking out of a tiny bikini bottom).

Zat name...Eet lacks zee, 'ow you say, zee sex appeal

Most of us also found the name a tad silly, but then very few car manufacturers show creativity when it comes to christening their four-wheeled offspring. My dictionary lists many steps, from step ladder to stepping out and stepping stone, but aikona stepway. Maybe it is a direct translation from something meaningful in French but it certainly has zero appeal in English.

But most of my grumbles are minor and personal (except for the bit about the dopey engine) and the bottom line is that the Sandero Stepway is unique in its segment, it offers good value for money, it's practical, safe, attractive and it will become a good seller, as it already is in Brazil, Mexico and Romania.

And Renault SA's boss man Xavier Gobille has a point when he says: "The arrival of the Stepway marks an important new chapter in the Sandero story.

"It offers local buyers an alternative to more conventional vehicles in the budget sector and it will further entrench the Renault brand in SA by reaching a more diverse customer base."

Pop the corks!

Of particular interest to prospective buyers, particularly those who have reservations about modern French cars in general, is the fact that because the Sandero Stepway is locally made it means cheaper and better availability of replacement parts.

Pop a wheelie, and pop the corks - all being well.

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This is sharply underlined by the 2010 Kinsey parts report in which Sandero emerged as the most affordable car on sale in South Africa.

The Stepway's price tag includes a three-year/45 000km service plan, a five-year/150 000km warranty, and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.

By the time you have read this report the first Sandero Stepway should be on dealer showroom floors and I won't be surprised if the champagne corks start flying right from the first sales staff pay-day!

Sandero Stepway features.

Sandero Stepway specifications.

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