• Capacious cabin for a small car
• Elevated driving position
• Standard 60/40 split rear seat

It’s big for a small car, the Dacia Sandero Stepway, and the dimensions are used efficiently with a satisfyingly roomy cabin. Four adults will have no issues getting comfy in there, although a fifth might be a bit of a squeeze.

You’ll find a few areas to place your cabin detritus but none of them are covered barring the glovebox, so you’re hard-pressed to keep your valuables out of sight.

The Sandero might be big inside, but its exterior dimensions are still quite small so there shouldn’t be any problems when it comes to parking it. The extremities are all easy to judge but if you do struggle, mid-spec Comfort models come with reversing sensors while top-spec Techroad cars get a reversing camera, too.

Boot

Not only does the Dacia Sandero Stepway have one of the largest boots in its class, the 60/40 split rear seat that’s standard across the range, is also unusual at this price point.

Okay, they don’t fold completely flat, but they do add a welcome degree of flexibility.

The biggest gripe is, like with the regular Sandero, the tailgate can only be opened from the outside with the key, although there is a release handle down by the driver’s seat. Still an unnecessary faff, though.

Safety

• Four-star Euro NCAP crash test result
• Not much modern safety kit here
• Two Isofix points in the back

The four-star crash-test rating from Euro NCAP was rather good back in 2013, but times – and accident-mitigation technologies have moved on since then. Unfortunately, the Dacia Sandero Stepway has been left behind.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)? No. Blind spot monitoring? Look elsewhere. Lane-keep assistance? Not a chance.

Of course, ABS, a suite of airbags and electronic stability software are present and correct, but that’s about your lot. Remember, despite the Stepway’s looks, it doesn’t have four-wheel drive or any form of traction enhancement.

Got kids to ferry about? You’ll find a couple of Isofix child seat mounting points on the outer positions of the rear bench.