Everything you need to know about the Renault Sandero

The Sandero is a small, safe, French hatch which can also be had in Stepway (crossover) guise. Sporting a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine and safety features such as traction control, it's become synonymous with economical, fuss-free motoring. Got one in mind? We have all the details.

By Ané Albertse

Published: 6 September 2023, 21:18

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

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The Sandero has now sadly been discontinued and replaced by the Renault Kiger, but there are still many Sandero models available on our website.

Find used Renault Sandero models now

In this article:

Who is the Renault Sandero a good car for?

What is the Renault Sandero like to drive?

Tech features in the Renault Sandero

Renault Sandero pricing

Similar cars to the Renault Sandero

Is the Renault Sandero a good car?

The Renault Sandero has proven to be a solid, relatively reliable and safe car for any age group. Thanks to Renault's alliance with Nissan, you won't struggle to find parts, and servicing as well as replacement parts are inexpensive.

Who is the Renault Sandero a good car for?

The Sandero is suitable for everyone, as long as you don't require too much space on the rear seat or expect sporty driving dynamics. New drivers as well as pensioners looking to scale down will find favour with the Sandero, especially the Sandero Stepway, which has higher ground clearance.

What is the Renault Sandero like to drive?

The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine offers enough pep for everyday purposes, it's really light on petrol, and although the suspension is not perfect, it is well-suited to our wide range of South African potholes as well as dirt roads, especially if you opt for the Stepway with its crossover demeanour.

Is the Renault Sandero a good first car?

It's certainly one of the safest entry-level cars, thanks to traction control (new models as from 2014) as a safety feature. It goes a long way in keeping you in control of your car if disaster strikes. The entry-level Sandero was tested by GlobalANCAP in 2017 and was awarded a 3-star safety rating for adults. Also read 10 reasons why the new Renault Sandero Stepway Plus is an ideal first car.

Is the Renault Sandero a good family car?

Young families will be well-served by the Sandero. The boot offers a practical 292 litres of space, there are three x 3-point safety belts on the rear bench, and the Stepway Plus models offer 4 airbags (the rest of the range has 2). In the aforementioned GlobalANCAP crash test safety test, the Sandero scored an impressive four stars in child occupant protection.

Find out what is covered under the Renault Sandero's warranty.

Is there a hybrid Renault Sandero?

No, even the pure petrol model has been dropped!

View the latest used Renault Sandero and Sandero Stepway models for sale in South Africa

What’s it like to drive?

Reviewer's opinion

Under the bonnet, you will find a rather small, 900cc engine. That's right, it's less than 1 litre. But that's not a major concern as the Stepway is rather light and with the addition of the turbocharger, this unit manages to produce 66 kW and 135 Nm torque. That's more than enough to get you and keep you, going on the highways and byways. In fact, the TechRoad will do the customary 0 - 100 km/h sprint in 11.1 seconds and top out at 169 km/h - more than you will need unless you're loaded to the hilt. - Chad Lückhoff - AutoTrader

Read the full review of the Renault Sandero 66kW Turbo Stepway Techroad (2020) here.

What does it look like?

Exterior

This is the Renault Sandero 66kW Turbo Stepway TechRoad variant.

Interior

What is the Renault Sandero like inside?

It all depends on what model you choose, but the Sandero is solidly built for its price and the layout is ergonomic. You also had the option of adding some creature comforts like leather seats, if you could afford to spend a little more. Above is the interior of the Sandero Stepway TechRoad model which was introduced in 2020.

Tech features

7-inch Multimedia touchscreen, FM/AM tuner, integrated navigation, Bluetooth® audio streaming and hands-free calls, voice control and vehicle applications (TechRoad model only)
Radio-CD MP3 with Jack and USB ports, Bluetooth® and satellite controls (Expression model only)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (TechRoad model)
Hill-start assist
Speed limiter/Cruise control (TechRoad model only)

Price and specs

Which is the cheapest Renault Sandero?

The cheapest model was the Renault Sandero 66kW Turbo Stepway Expression. The non-Stepway models are no longer for sale either. The only other Sandero was the flagship model, the 66kW Stepway Turbo TechRoad model, which retailed at R251 900 when this article was first published. The Sandero Stepway Plus has also been discontinued.