FROM next month, Dacia's best-selling UK model, the Sandero Stepway, will be available with two new power units and in two fresh trim levels.

The Romanian branch of the Groupe Renault empire has added its entry-level SCe 75 petrol engine to the range as well as the new generation Blue dCi 95 diesel engine, with revised trim-levels on the popular small SUV.

The SCe 75 engine is available with manual transmission in the new Essential trim only priced at £8,995. With 75hp, a 0-62mph time of 16.7 seconds and top speed of 97mph it's not going to take your breath away but the bonus comes with low Group 6 insurance and combined fuel consumption of up to 45.6mpg.

For those who want more get up and go, the TCe 90 turbocharged petrol engine remains available offering more power and torque with little penalty in fuel consumption. It costs £1,000 more in Essential trim.

Almost matching that engine in terms of power is the new generation Blue dCi 95 diesel which is available with a manual transmission across two trim levels, Essential and Comfort, priced from £11,195. With the Blue dCi 95 engine, the Stepway ticks off the 0-62mph sprint in 12.3 seconds and goes on to a maximum of 111mph while offering fuel consumption of up to 62.7 mpg.

The new Essential trim level offers air conditioning, electric front windows, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and body coloured bumpers while Comfort trim adds technologies such as a touchscreen satellite navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, rear parking sensors, cruise control, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors and electric rear windows.