Dacia Sandero Stepway Laureate Diesel Right Hand Drive
1 Spec I could do without:
• Cruise Control, liked it in the USA on an automatic car and long open roads, on a manual here it’s a waste of space even on long runs.
• MediaNav, for me the sat nav is so massively useless compared to the market leaders in add on kit it’s a waste of time, I have mine now switched off and use a Tom Tom for long journeys. So many issues, its not in the correct line of sight, the representation of the 3D view ahead is r******, speed camera database is too out of date, I need to be able to use the hands free phone while still having the sat nav display in front of me, etc.
• Silly stickers on the doors, lots of people get them removed
• The rear head rests are supposedly different to Ambiance? They look the same to me...
• Don’t need reversing sensors thanks
2 Spec I want added
• Electronic folding door mirrors
• Proper full sized spare wheel
• Alloy wheels
• Voice activated hands free calling
• Locking wheel nuts
• Black underseal in the wheel arches and under the car not body colour
• Temperature gauge
• Both rear fog lights wired in, both lights are there but only one is wired in to save them pennies on production costs
3 Things that stopped me buying an ambiance
• Air con
• Rear loud speakers
• Height adjustable drivers seat
• Electronic rear windows (would hate to have children in the back operating windy up windows, at least with elec windows you can disable their switches)
(it seems to me if they added these things to an Ambiance it would be a winning spec)
4 Things that really need fixing
• Pedal layout, sizing, spacing, feel, heaviness, and so on is terrible. No space for left foot, or foot rest. Left foot does not fit between clutch and panel to the left of it. Clutch pedal travel is far too long, and pedal is far too heavy on a long journey. Left foot aches in stop start traffic, it really shouldn’t be like this in this day and age. Accelerator and brake are far too far off the floor, and again travel is far too much. The pedals need redesigning around ergonomic foot usage. Probably they need to replace the cable operated clutch with a hydraulic clutch to do it properly. Really is this what Renault pedals are like? If so it's so far behind modern practise its ridiculous. The thing is putting better sized and laid out pedals in would not cost any more than this layout, so it really should be sorted. I note its different on left hand drive versions. This is ultimately the one thing that will stop me recommending this car.
• Needs decent pioneer or similar loudspeakers these cheap ones are r******
• Headlight adjustment is a cable system, they should use an electric system.
• Chrome features in the cab reflect the sun into your eyes when driving, so chrome "Dacia" badge on steering wheel, chrome around air vents and instruments. Really these need replacing with something that doesn’t blind the driver in normal use.
• Palming me off with the wrong sized wheel as a spare. If it was a space saver which saved weight I maybe persuaded. But a 15 inch full size wheel when the car has 16 inch road wheels THEY ARE TAKING THE MICKEY. Dealer laughing at me when I complained I HAVE ALREADY DIRECTED SEVERAL POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ELSEWHERE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME.
5 Things I would prefer
• Automatic option
• More leg room in the back
• Option to have the car without the roof rails. Keep the extra ride height but ditch the roof bars.
• More lateral support for front seats
6 Dealer experience
• I didn’t pay enough attention as I was in a hurry and ended up over paying. Ripping me off so much they felt embarrassed to show additional car price or reduced part ex value and simply stuck an extra figure in for "optional gold service". No such gold service noticeable. Well guess what you have probably already lost more business than the extra money you ripped off me.
• Laughing when I complained about the spare wheel. Massive PR mistake.
• Sticking dealer advertising all over my car, stickers, oversized rear number plate holder, etc.
• Not impressed
Overall conclusion:
Despite these comments I really like the car. The engine has very good driving characteristics. If it wasn’t for the clutch pedal I would recommend it openly. I don’t find the ride, handling, road noise, etc. too bad and lots of the reviews along those lines from professional reviewers I disagree with. I don’t find the overall quality too bad, and I have had premium brand new cars before.