The Dacia Sandero Stepway only achieves two stars in the Euro NCAP safety test

The Dacia Sandero has only achieved two stars in the safety test carried out by Euro NCAP. Euro NCAP highlighted the SUV’s limited emergency braking system. In contrast, the Volkswagen ID.4, the Cupra Formentor and the Skoda Enyaq earned the coveted five Euro NCAP stars.

The Dacia Sandero Stepway underwent the safety tests and achieved only two of the five possible stars. The organisation’s director described the model’s emergency braking system as “disappointing”. This two-star rating has also been matched by the Dacia Logan. Euro NCAP added that “automatic emergency braking will soon be a legal requirement”, and that the system fitted to the Sandero and Logan “can only react to other vehicles and lacks both lane support and the ability to help prevent accidents with pedestrians or cyclists”.

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The Dacia Sandero and the Dacia Logan, under scrutiny

Although in the rest of the tests the Dacia models performed well, Euro NCAP’s rules state that a model’s overall score can be no higher than its lowest individual score. It should be noted that the Dacia Sandero Stepway obtained good results in adult occupant protection, child occupant protection and pedestrian safety. However, Euro NCAP pointed out that “the overall rating would be four stars were it not for its shortcomings in other tests”.

The body responsible for the safety tests revised its criteria over the past year and since then has placed particular emphasis on active safety technology, including automatic emergency braking. As a result, Euro NCAP has stated that the tests are now considerably tougher and it is more difficult to achieve five stars.

Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said that “safety has advanced, and the greatest progress is now being made through the use of advanced technology to prevent accidents from happening. Clearly, Dacia has found its market and is holding on to it, but a two-star rating shows little ambition, even for a low-cost product. Its decision not to offer a camera is clearly out of step with the market and is disappointing, since Dacia is aware that its cars will soon have to comply with the new General Safety Regulation”.

Dacia, for its part, added that “at Dacia, the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance. We continue to improve the safety of our cars year after year and, as a result, each vehicle generation is safer than the previous one. Our efforts in passive safety have been recognised by Euro NCAP, earning four stars for occupant protection for both adults and children, and very good performance in pedestrian impact. In terms of active safety, where Euro NCAP has become increasingly strict, we have chosen to fit equipment that offers the greatest value to the customer, with AEBS across the entire range and the blind spot assist.”

“The new Sandero and Sandero Stepway are safe and protect occupants to a high level. However, we will take these results into account while still striking the perfect balance between safety, customer expectations and affordability.”

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackDacia Sandero23 versions · from 13,520 €