IF YOU’RE in the market for a practical car that’s cheap to buy and run, the Dacia Sandero Stepway may be worth considering.

This great value no frills vehicle has been introduced as a rugged version of the regular Sandero hatchback, which grabbed headlines as Britain’s cheapest car.

Dacia’s unique selling point is low costs and, at less than £10,000, the Stepway conforms to that philosophy, undercutting most of its main rivals on price.

If you’re looking for a raised ride height along with a bit more interior space than you’ll find in a hatchback, then the Stepway is a cheap and cheerful alternative to crossovers like the Fiat Panda Trekking or the Nissan Juke.

As well as its taller stance, the presence of roof rails and black trim around the bumpers and wheel arches lend the Stepway the look of an SUV.

However, it’s important to remember that the Stepway is front wheel drive, which limits its ability to tackle genuinely treacherous terrain, although it is more than capable of overcoming mildly challenging and rough surfaces with little fuss.

Would-be buyers can choose between two engines: a 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol, tested here, and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel, which has attracted praise for its cheap running costs in other motoring media.

Both of those engines deliver 89bhp, with the only transmission option being a five-speed manual box. For an engine that’s less than 1-litre, the petrol unit pulls nicely through the rev range and feels very smooth around town. It’s also capable of getting a move on if you work it hard, while having the added benefit of not using too much fuel even when you put the engine through its paces. Official figures show average fuel economy of 55.4mpg and, in real world driving, the needle on the fuel gauge seemed to go down at a reassuringly slow rate.

But the quality of the engine should come as little surprise, as it’s sourced from parent company Renault, whose vehicles it has been proven in. In terms of ride quality, the jacked-up suspension allows the vehicle to absorb even the most severe bumps in the road.

the higher ride height also means you get a commanding view of the road ahead. On the down side, the refinement of the cabin isn’t helped by a noticeable amount of road and wind noise once you get up to higher speeds.The handling is trustworthy, although the steering doesn’t offer much feedback to the driver and there’s also a bit of body roll to be aware of when cornering briskly.

There’s a simple two-trim set-up in the Sandero Stepway range. Starting with entry-level Ambiance, which comes with air conditioning, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and electric front windows.

Once you step up to Lauréate, you get rear parking sensors, cruise control and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav.

The Sandero is a pleasant-looking vehicle, with the exterior lifted by the 16-inch alloys, a distinctive front grille and tinted windows.

The interior decor is unfussy, as you might expect for a car in this price bracket, although you do get some flashes of chrome on the dashboard and a leather gear knob.For the most part, the cabin is more solid than scintillating, with lots of hard, grey plastic to be found.

Where the interior really scores a victory is when it comes to space.

With the Stepway sitting somewhere between a hatchback and a small SUV, there are few comparable vehicles that could provide as much headroom and legroom for those in both the front and back.

There are also a number of well-located storage spaces for oddments.

In many ways, the unpretentious Stepway is beautiful in its simplicity and could certainly provide a family on a budget with a way to access the practicality of an SUV-like vehicle.

Dacia Sandero Stepway

PRICE: £9,595 on the road

ACCELERATION: 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds

TOP SPEED: 104mph

ENGINE: TCe90, 898cc

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual

ECONOMY: 115g/km

INSURANCE RATING: 8E