New Models
New Models

2021 Dacia Sandero and Stepway launched in Europe

The all-new hatchback and SUV are unlikely to be offered locally, but Renault says it's keeping its options open.


Good news! The 2021 Dacia Sandero and Stepway models have been officially launched for the European market, however it’s unlikely Australian showrooms will see the all-new cars anytime soon.

Now in its third generation, the Sandero has been built by the Renault-owned Romanian manufacturer since 2007.

The standard hatchback is 4099mm long, has a 328-litre boot, and features 15-inch wheels.

The more expensive SUV crossover Stepway variant gets an extra 41mm of ground clearance, 16-inch wheels, roof bars, chrome highlights and badging, and external aesthetic cladding.

Both models are well equipped for the entry-level class, with an electric parking brake, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, hill start assist, stop and start technology, and automatic windscreen wipers all fitted as standard.

Built on the Renault–Nissan alliance’s CMF modular platform, the cars are offered with petrol and LPG Bi-Fuel variants of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.

Available with or without a turbocharger, this powertrain can be paired with a five-speed manual transmission, six-speed manual transmission, or CVT automatic.

Buyers can choose between two infotainment systems, these being Media Control and Media Nav.

The standard Media Control system comprises a 3.5-inch TFT digital display, and allows drivers to access radio, music, phone calls, messages, and sat nav apps via Bluetooth.

The premium Media Nav system features an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

In the safety department, six airbags, seat belt load-limiters, front and back seat belt pretensioners, emergency call system, blind spot warning, and emergency brake assist are also standard.

The vehicles will officially go on sale for the European market in February, 2021, and the first customer deliveries are expected to begin in the year’s second quarter.

Pricing is yet to be announced, however the current generation Sandero starts at £6995 plus on road costs in the UK (approximately AU$12,500), while the Stepway variant is priced from £9995 plus on road costs (approximately AU$18,000).

A spokesperson for Renault Australia told CarAdvice there are no current plans to import the models, however did not rule out the possibility for the future.

“We’ll investigate – as we do all [Renault] products – and then determine if a business case can be made.”

In 2014 CarAdvice reported that Renault Australia was similarly weighing up the prospect of importing Dacia vehicles for the local market, however these plans never materialised.


William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

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