Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G: Italy's favorite gas car – Road Test

We tried the Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G: the Italians' favorite gas-powered car, excellent price / equipment ratio, spacious and pleasant (also thanks to the powerful and lively engine, even if it is a little noisy and not controlled by new drivers). The trim, consumption and only 2 stars won in the Euro NCAP crash tests are not entirely convincing for the petrol variant of the third generation of the small Romanian car.

Appeal	Dacias were once the favorite car for those who wanted to spend as little as possible, and that's it, now they are the best choice for those who want to make a smart purchase.
Technological content	Few: automatic braking, light and rain sensor, and a complete infotainment system.
Driving pleasure	Cornering agility and a lively turbocharged engine ready for low revs: it's hard to ask for more at this price point.
style	The look that winks at the world of SUVs lends a lot of personality.

La Dacia Sandero ECO-G this is a car LPG the most beloved by Italians, and if you go into details, taking into account individual settings, the most bought option is Stepway Comfort... Version a gas of third generation of Small It took a little time for the Romanian language to conquer the "real country" (private clients, so to speak) thanks to its low running costs, excellent price / maintenance ratio and record interior space in its category.

In our road test we tested one of the market queens: Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G Comfort... Let's get to know him together strengths e defects.

How are you doing on liquefied gas

La Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G our main character road test give the best things while traveling LPG: in carbonated mode engine Eastern European B-segment 1.0 turbo three-cylinder TCe - unfortunately not steerable novice drivers – generates maximum power (101 hp) and torque (170 Nm). A slightly noisy engine that, thanks to supercharging, provides full traction at low revs and interesting performance: a top speed of 177 km / h and 11,9 seconds for acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.

I consumption they are not his strong point (on the other hand, LPG is more convenient at the price of the pump than in efficiency): in our test with normal driving style, we exceeded 11 km / l. In short, given the petrol price of € 0,680 per liter, just over € 6 is enough to drive 100 km. Great tank 40 liter fits instead spare wheel.

How is it on gasoline

Less good: in this "configuration" engine it generates 90 hp. and a torque of 160 Nm. There are no big differences in starting point (claimed “0-100” among other things are identical), but rather in recovery, which is no longer exceptional on gas. due to the very long sixth gear.

head consumption: Drive very carefully to stay above 15 km / l. This means that under “standard” conditions (taking into account the fuel price of 1,692 euros per liter) less than 12 euros is required to travel 100 km.

Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G: Inexpensive but offers a lot

La Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G Comfort our main character road test is no longer “inexpensive”, but remains a vehicle characterized by price low and out of the rich standard equipment:

• ABS / APU
• Automatic headlights
• Automatic wiper ignition
• AEBS
• Front and side airbags for driver and passenger
• Front power windows
• Manual rear power windows
• Driver side impulsive front window
• Modular gray quartz roof rails
• Driver's armrest
• Lattice with Stepway patch
• Rim 16 ″ Flexwheel Saria Dark
• Automatic door closing with speed sensor
• central locking
• Manual climate
• 3,5 '' TFT on-board computer
• Cruise control
• ELECTRONIC CALL
• ESC + HSA
• Chrome Fog Lights
• FCW
• Interior trim in orange and satin chrome
• Light signature "Y-shaped" on LEDs
• Isofix hooks
• Tire repair kit
• Speed ​​limiter
• Body-colored exterior door handles
• Media display (8-inch screen, AUX / USB, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring via cable)
• Folding and divisible bench 1 / 3-2 / 3
• Body-colored bumpers
• Black upholstery with white and orange stitching on the back, headrest and seat, Stepway wordmark on the back.
• Tire pressure sensor
• Rear parking sensors
• Body-colored power mirrors
• Overspeed warning
• Goalkeeper protection from the black side
• Steering wheel TEP
• Steering wheel adjustable for height and depth

To whom is it addressed

Mostly to the majority of Italian motorists. There Dacia Sandero, the main advantages of which are a spacious interior and trunk record-breaking (410 liters, which becomes 1.455 with the rear seats folded and four useful hooks for hanging bags), this is one of the best new cars you can buy for less than 15.000 euros (a figure within reach of many pockets). The presence of a plant LPG - food is in demand among those who want to save not only on the price list - this is also a plus that should not be underestimated.

Le two stars received in Euro NCAP crash test Objectively, they are not the best, but it must be said that they have more to do with the lack of driver assistance devices than with protecting passengers in the event of a collision.

Driving: first hit

La new Sandero Stepway has a more mature look than its ancestors: less "cheap" and more rugged forms, complemented by some smart solutions, such as modular roof rails which, if necessary, can be transformed into cross members. To be alone Small it's very bulky (at 4,10 meters long - plenty of room to maneuver), and the bulky C-pillar doesn't help with parking: thankfully, there are rear sensors and off-road-style raw plastic guards to keep you out of touch.

They are noticeable inside finish improved over the past, even if not yet at the level of the "cousin" Clio: the dashboard, for example, is completely made of hard plastic (albeit well assembled). Of the "buns" we note a pleasant fabric insert and the debut of the model. depth-adjustable steering wheel while the decision to remove the gas springs that kept the hood open, to replace them with a more traditional temple, is a step backwards.

The engine starts, the first turns on, and immediately you notice excellent handling. Speed six-speed mechanics. At the first corner, it is impossible not to appreciate the evolution of behavior on the road: Dacia Sandero Stepway ECO-G it's as nimble in the corners as it is reassuring, and the only downside is the shock's too dry response to obvious disconnects. A superb frame adorned with a powerful braking system gives you the very best when you travel calmly: if you are looking for scope, limits steering (not very communicative).

Driving: final grade

To get acquainted with Dacia Sandero a LPG: a reliable travel companion, able to meet the needs of those who need a versatile vehicle and do not want to spend too much money on a vehicle. A car that also retains used value very well: Romanian company models are actually very much in demand in the used car market and are not easy to find (those who buy them keep them for a very long time).

After driving hundreds of kilometers, you get used to everything except the infotainment system controls: the system works very well, but the touch controls on the left are a bit slow, and the two connectors USB on the dashboard, only the most inconvenient - to the right of the dashboard - can be used to Apple CarPlay e Android Auto (optional - 200 euros with a navigator with maps of Italy, 300 euros with maps of Europe). Solution suitable for installations without a display as it is close to support smartphone but not very convincing on the more luxurious versions (among others, the ones most appreciated by buyers), because it is too far from the glove compartment under the air conditioner (the place where the mobile phone is usually located).

What does it say about you

You are a person who pays attention to the essence and does not follow trends, you are looking for a car that can handle city traffic and long journeys without problems. You love LPG because it allows you to travel many kilometers for a few euros.

Specification

engine	turbo LPG, 3 cylinders in line
Potenza	101 CV GPL, 90 CV petrol
emissions	114 g / km GPL, 130 g / km petrol
consumption	13,5 km / l LPG, 17,2 km / l petrol
maximum speed	177 km / ha GPL, 173 km / ha petrol
Acc. 0-100	11,9 with
Length Width Height	4,10 / 1,85 / 1,59 meters
Luggage capacity	410 / 1.455 liters
Empty weight	1.134 1.154-kg

Kia Rio EcoGPL Urban	The only real LPG rival Sandero is more comfortable and less fuel hungry than the Romanian rival, but loses points such as “driving pleasure” (naturally aspirated engine), “space”, “price” and “equipment”.
Invitation Mitsubishi Space Star LPG	Small Japanese gasoline is a champion in efficiency, but not very versatile. A naturally aspirated engine has little horsepower.
Nissan Micra LPG Visa	The engine is shared with the Sandero (but 9 horsepower less) and at a higher price.
Renault Clio GPL Life	The engine is identical to the Sandero engine, and the platform has a lot in common with the platform of the Romanian "cousin". However, we are talking about a much more expensive car.