The new Stepway

Don't worry fans, Dave isn't being replaced, I've finally had the opportunity to look over the new Sandero Stepway in the flesh thanks to Hartwell Kidlington.

So now for a quick run down of the visual updates.

Firstly and probably the most obvious is the grill, now when I first saw the photos I was very much meh, not sure, a bit marmite, but now I have seen it first hand I have to say it does look fabulous.

The restyled front end gives the car more 'presence' and a slightly more aggresive look, hey those pesky Evoques need reminding not to kick sand in our face. The front bumper is slightly tweaked and those of you who are super observant will notice a square cover to the towing eye.

While we are at the front, new headlights, firstly LED daytime running lights that look uber cool.

And the headlights looking more angular and fit well with the front grill.

Moving around the car we have new style wheel trims, yes they are still trims and yes they still look like alloys, again looking chunkier to fit with the new style.

A very subtle change, that I hadn't notice until it was pointed out is the roofbars have had a colour change to a darker carbon colour.

And now to the rear, new style lights that look very nice, however I was disappointed (though I should have remembered budget) to find they weren't individual LEDs, they are just shaped externals with a single bulb behind all four, the positioning of the bulb makes two of the squares light up brighter when the brakes are applied.

Lower down we have a new rear valance, slightly different shape again and a new style exhaust with chrome tailpipe at the rear, rather than the previous pointing downwards.

One more finishing touch and one that I thought finished the new look off nicely was the introduction of a LAUREATE badge on the tailgate.

Moving inside the first thing you notice is new seat design, they look and feel a little more hard wearing and definately appear firmer than the previous ones. My only concern would be the grey outers of the base could be easily marked and the material looks harder to clean.

Then you notice the steering wheel, looking smarter with the chrome edging, smart looking buttons and THE HORN IN THE CENTRE, sorry I had to shout that I'm so pleased. The wheel also has a far chunkier feel which is great.

If you look closely you will see the electric window switches where they have always been on the centre console.....WHOA....what? I thought they had moved them....no panic those switches are now for the driver to control the rear windows.

This is something pretty amazing a car manufacturer who has listened to the feedback of it's owners, one of the biggest gripes that I have read from many fans of the car has been the positioning of window switches, now they have moved them to the doors.

Just one final thing from inside, the media unit surround has been updated and looks very smart.

Oh sorry I nearly forgot the Stepway Laureate now has a reversing camera fitted.

So all in all lots of great updates and the new Stepway looks fabulous BUT and for some it's a small but, for others it's HUGE, they still haven't fitted a push button lock to the tailgate, something I find a little strange as all the European models have it.