I love European "people's" cars. The Renault R4, the Fiat Uno and Punto, Peugeots 205 to 207, the early Golfs– they were all affordable and fun to drive with more character than Marcello Mastroianni. By the same token, I hate what Lee Iacocca called PODS. Lido was referring to Chryslers, but plenty of manufacturers have built cars for Poor Old Dumb Shits. PODS-mobiles are often Russian; Lada leading the pack. More recently, they hail from Korea or Malaysia. They're cheap to buy, miserable to operate and not at all economical to own (as CityRover owners found out). When considering Europe's cheapest car– the Romanian-built Dacia Logan– you have to wonder if the penalty box tradition continues.
Bottom line first. Eurozone consumers can buy a Renault-Nissan developed Dacia Logan for €7500. Back in 2003, that price equated to about $5500 or about twice as much as Tata Motors' theoretical Nano. Today, thanks to a weak Yankee greenback, the base Logan translates to $11,650. But keep in mind that the Logan is a world car, built in Mioveni, Romania; São José dos Pinhais, Brazil; Medellin, Colombia; Moscow, Russia; Casablanca, Morocco; Nasik, India and, yes, Tehran, Iran. Your currency may vary.
From the outside, you wouldn't know the [Euro] Logan's a bargain basement whip. Note the even panel gaps, high-quality paint and almost-acceptable proportions. The Logan looks utilitarian, solid. Ground clearance is third-world- sorry, developing nation compatible. Also to that end, the Logan's enormous hold (24.7 cubic feet) is considerably more capacious than a Mercedes C-class wagon. And with an optional rear row, the Logan seats seven or more (police and safety be damned). Basically, the Logan is station wagon as mini-van.
Unfortunately, the Logan pretends to have a car's interior. Anybody who says that space is the ultimate luxury has never sat in a Dacia. Although the Logan's cabin's been assembled properly, the interior makes an outhouse seem like a penthouse. The materials are hard, scratchy and odd-smelling. Colors are various shades of tombstone gray, ailing mouse, funeral black and deep-pit coal. The single-piece, injection molded dash is as ugly as it is durable. Everything you see and touch is unnecessarily dire.
Luckily, this ain't no living room. The Logan's [optional] diesel powerplant is a pleasant surprise: a bang-up-to-date 1.5-liter common-rail oil burner. The mini-mill may only stable 86 horses, but it delivers strongish torque from 1200 to 4000 rpm in a perfectly linear fashion, and does so less noisily than VW's TDI engines. Even better, the Logan only weighs around 2800lbs. So the car rockets from 0 to 60mph in… wait for it… almost there… 15 seconds. Your problem being?
At autobahn speeds of around 90 mph the Dacia feels almost as unhappy as a moped. Still, in the interests of TTAC's Best and Brightest, I recorded an average of 38mpg. But when in Rome, you do as the Romanians do. When I backed off to around 75, the fuel efficiency rose well into the forties.
The Dacia's handling offers another pleasant surprise. The Logan is softly sprung for pot-holed eastern European roads; it's both comfortable and quiet. Thanks to sufficient damping, the Logan feels well-controlled through the inevitable bumps- a sea change from bouncy and harsh Dacias of old (also based on Renaults). The Logan doesn't hop or skip over rough roads or expander joints; neither does it lose its cool over load-change issues.
The Logan's steering is exact and proportional, giving sublime tactical feedback through twisty European back roads. The transmission is slick and smooth. Combined with the straightforward engine, the Logan is a package you can actually, gulp, hustle. I found myself having unexpected fun, and I didn't have to drive at racetrack speeds (as if) to enjoy myself.
It's not too much of a stretch to call the Logan an intriguing modern-day interpretation of the Volvo 240. The Logan's cheap, robust and easy-to-repair; ideal for struggling economies and rugged roads. Stay away from any and all options– the diesel (a 1.4-liter petrol engine comes standard), air conditioning, electric windows– and the Logan's priced well below the competition. For a young, hard-working family with a few kids and a dog, there is no better deal. It's not for nothing the Dacia Logan leaped to the top of the Euro sales charts. And yet…
It's also not for nothing the Logan crash test is so popular on YouTube. Clearly, dramatically, the Logan is no Volvo. While it has front airbags in Euro-spec, many national versions of the car do not. In a German slalom test, the Logan rolled over at 65 km/h- albeit on worn tires (like that'll ever happen). And, again, the Logan's hideous interior would test the will of a Spartan. As Auto, Motor und Sport put it, "this is a car for those who have little financial power, but plenty of mental fortitude."
But when in Rome, you do as the Romanians do.
Now THAT’s a great line. Thanks for the review! My friend in France is seriously considering one (he’s not a car guy), and I really can’t blame him. It’s the ultimate car for utilitarians, and a screaming deal.
I’d rather buy a lightly used C-class car (mazda3 or european civic), but the Dacia remains a great option.
What you see is what you get
Well, never mind then…
I’ve been a resident of France for a little over 4 years now and I’ve come to greatly respect the French styling and comfort in their cars, while staying as far away from them as possible (I did have a 1st gen Renault Clio for a while). The Dacia [by Renault] Logan scares the holy hell out of me. Not only the we-just-barely-passed-all-European-safety-tests, but the cheapness that just oozes out of this car at every angle. I think the only reason to buy one is if you have a limited budget and you need to seat 3 kids. Even then, I still think you’re better off buying a 3 or 4 year old Scenic or Kangoo.
Renault has done a great job at marketing this car and even some car guys I know tell me “What’s the point of buying anything more, you can’t go over 130km/h anymore.”
I’ll tell you, if I had kids (or even a dog), I would not want to do 130km/h is this thing.
I have a hard time seeing this garner 3-stars, like the A5. Yeah, it gets a great-big 5 stars for value, but come on…Fit & Finish 4/5 stars? Like the A5? Hmm.
I obviously can’t speak for the quality of the interior materials (which I think is a vastly overrated area anyway), but the interior design doesn’t look any worse than a number of American or Japanese econoboxes. It’s certainly no worse than the rental PT Cruiser I had about a year ago
The Dacia would be a great vehicle in some of the more rural areas…a cheaper competitor to a Subaru or older Volvo. Stick a small gasser and sell it in the US, under Nissan maybe. Priced at a KIA or Aveo.
I wouldn’t trade my Mazda in for this, but it would be a great vehicle for around town, short trips, hobby stuff… the family truckster.
I guess Ford is selling the Transit Connect as that sort of vehicle too.
Interior isn’t too bad, as long as it doesn’t rattle in 2 years.
€7500 is phenomenal. Even if we assume the current abysmal USD rate, you could upmarket and safety-ize this thing a bit and still keep it well under $20k.
I will always have a soft spot for the people-to-cost ratio, especially when you can eke pretty solid fuel economy out of it. I love these rest-of-world reviews!
From the outside, you wouldn’t know the [Euro] Logan’s a bargain basement whip.
Martin… are we looking at the same car? This car’s design has Ssang Yong Rodius written all over it.
TTAC front page – RELEVANT in the real world questionaire:
2008 Lexus LS600hL Review – Take Two: NOPE
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Review: NOPE
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review: NOPE
2008 Audi A5 Review: NOPE
2008 BMW M3 vs. 2008 Audi RS4: NOPE
2008 BMW M3 Review: NOPE
2008 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5 dCi Review: YES
It looks nothing like that vehicle in the link. This has a much more simple and clean look to it, like an early-2000s Ford, Volvo, or VW.
I do like the rear doors…clever feature.
As a longtime Volvo enthusiast, I see fantastic potential in this type of design for North America.
Seats 8, gets well over 40 mpg, versatile, can use alternative fuels, durable and very cheap components, and I do have to say that the boxy look does work quite well when all you’re concerned about is comfort, space and utility.
But if it’s cheaper than a Kia in terms of materials, and even less safe to drive, it would have a lot of trouble selling stateside.
The proportions looks a little odd because this is the stretched long version. The wheelbase is extended behind the back doors. There’s an even shorter and cheaper version out there.
It sold like hotcakes here up to last year, this year… I bet not so much with the import restrictions.
It’s equipped with 1.6lts engine, A/C, alloy wheels, fog lamps and Renault badge. Four doors only sedan (thanks God). Recently facelifted.
But that thing is FUGLY FUGLY FUGLY dammit, and here, a little bit expensive: roughly US$ 13K, more expensive than a Twingo (an actual cool car)
A Fiat Palio, even in the previous generation form (already on sale) is nicer.
And Iranians can buy their national car, the Samand, at about the same price. Looks better also.
I like this review. This is the kind of car we’re going to be buying when the economy truly hits the shitter and the environmental regulations get even more stringent.
It’s inexpensive, functional, has a low cost of ownership, get’s good mileage for a people mover, and it’s a good medium size.
Mock it all you want, but cars like this are the future of American roadways.
Samir, we are all entitled to our opinions and mine is that the R Odius is simply hideous. Look, I’m not saying the Logan is a beaut — it’s obviously not. It’s just a piece of functional machinery heavily slanted toward maximum carrying capacity. But it is clean (apart from the cluttered front end), and doesn’t have any major aesthetic malfunctions. Which is not something you’ll find me saying about the Ssangyong, which is a car nobody asked for, and nobody can explain away.
In Colombia, the 4dr version of this car is roughly $17-19,000USD with a 1.6 8v motor. It is the same price as a Renault Symbol 1.6 16v (a Clio sedan), or an Aveo 1.6 16v, or Hyundia Accent or Skoda Fabia (which are smaller, but much nicer).
The only things this car has going for it are its size and suspension. Besides price, (it is 30% more expensive than it should be here) it has several things against it: it requires supreme fuel, it’s interior is actually not that durable (upholstery, foam is terrible), it has Renault electrical gremlins, it has an antiquated low power, high consumption motor.
If they brought in the mpv version with a diesel at less than 25,000usd, that would be much more appealing.
Man in Colombia is more expensive than in Venezuela?… damn you guys are jodidos pal coño.
These things seem to be everywhere now here in France. I have friends who were on a 6 month waiting list for this one. This is the car to have when you’re on a budget. No worries and little hassle, this is the thing to haul stuff, lug around the kids with out worrying about the upholstery… it is pre-ugly… which is a good thing in a way. And then you might have a little left over for a more interesting ride like some small two seat sports car.
The Logan’s cheap, robust and easy-to-repair; ideal for struggling economies and rugged roads.
Sounds like just the ticket for the US of the present/future.
Keep in mind, that the price (7500 euro) equates to about the same number of dollars in purchasing parity. Quite a deal. BTW, I’m seeing a lot of Kia Rondo 5’s suddenly; the closest thing we have here like this.
Paul Niedermeyer
Keep in mind, that the price (7500 euro) equates to about the same number of dollars in purchasing parity.
Very important point. This is the equivalent of selling a car like this for $7,500, assuming we could build it in Mexico and sell across the NAFTA zone without hindrance. That would be positively groundbreaking in the US.
I am positive that the US magazines would destroy this car to hell based only on the interior materials, let alone the exterior. Then they would go into the “unrefined” engine and so on…, even badged as a Nissan.
I don’t think the US public would buy this car. I live in a 3rd world country, and wouldn’t buy it. It’s FUGLY, I’ve not seen it in a picture, it’s in the automotive landscape.
As I said before, I would take a brazilian Fiat Palio over it any day. The Fiat is even simpler than the Renault, both are mostly european designs, which means they’re “unnecesarily complicated” in some areas (the electric system comes to my mind), but the italians make simpler cars than frenchs -I think somebody is going to flame me for this-, parts are plentyful here and way cheaper than Renault’s. And the Palio looks better too.
To all of you TTAC’s Best and Brightest I’d like to tell a little story.
First, I live in Bogotá Colombia and, second, I am the proud owner of one of these cars a 2006 Renault (in Colombia its badged as a Renault not as a Dacia) Logan 1.6 petrol Sedan.
Just as the reviewer said the interior sucks and it´s true but you have to understand that its not the essence of the car but giving a cheap, comfortable, spacious and realiable transportation to the masses. On the other hand the car is great. The Renault version looks way better than the Dacia one, and here in Colombia it’s a plus that it is badged Renault as the marque Dacia is unknown here.
Considering the list equipment (The car has a great A/C, 2 airbags, four power windows, power mirrors, alarm, original Renault CD radio, power steering, ABS, and power lock with remote control) and the 3 EuroNcap stars (remember: cheap chinese and korean cars don´t even go near EuroNcap tests) the price paid for it was pretty good (aprox usd$ 10360.)
It’s a shame it is never going to get stateside as it could be the choice of many americans.
jems86.
In my opinion:
Not all Americans are materialistic a lot of TTAC readers buy less expensive car that they can pay on monthly basis. That’s why they read TTAC and they judge for themselves the quality of car not because of comments that readers leave on TTAC.
Majority of readers or people who leave comments on TTAC like German cars. Even American cars that are made in America are being ridiculed. I know this car is for the Masses. Affordable and reliable. Americans will buy this car if it’s only sold in United States. If Hyundai are being bought by practical American consumer. The 2008 Dacia Logan will have a market in the United States. Americans are spoiled when it comes to cars. I mean some people still drive to a convenient store that is only 2 to 5 blocks from their houses just to drive their lovable cars.
This car has a market here. if Hyundai can do it I think Renault can do it too. Look at the interior looks like a Mazda 3 THE VENT LOOKS LIKE A MAZDA and some other stuff and seats 8 rather tha 4 on a Mazda. 5 I think it’s a little crowded
take care
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh4UnitIDrI
Please check this Video and let the American consumer decide, word of month is always the last to be heard on buying cars.
Here in Brazil this is also badged as a Renault, though this particular version is not sold here. We get only the sedan and the Sandero, which is this car in a gussied up design, true hatchback form. It starts at abot R$30 000 (roughly USD 18000) with an anemic (for its size) 1.0 16v engine and nothing else. Seriously, just the streering and 4 tyres as we joke in Brazil. 18 thousand dollars! For nothing!!
Like all cars here it’s overpriced and it has not really made a dent in the sales of competitors, which are by order of sales Chevy Classic (old first generation Corsa sedan, sells best ’cause it’s cheapest), Fiat Siena (easily the classiest and best looking), Chevy Prisma (sedan version of Chevy’s Celta hatch, which is based on 1st generation Corsa, too), Chevy Corsa Sedan (2nd generation) and Ford Fiesta Sedan (good looking but ageing ’cause based on Fiesta that is going away in Europe). You can insert the Renault Logan here in last place. Place which was previously occupied by the Renault Clio Sedan which is due to die since it is more expensive than the Logan, but whose clients are the only ones drifting to the Logan.
Martin, loved the review! Please get Mr. Farago to permit more of the other world cars, since even though American readers may not enjoy or understand as much, people in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa really love reading. Thanks!!
I WILL remember that this is a three stars out of five rating.
OMG, if you are serious, the leap to four or five stars must be exponential.
Geez, people. Give the stupid, corrupt, inane, insane, death-watch-American car manufaturers a break – will ya?
For crying out loud.
“The materials are hard, scratchy and odd-smelling. Colors are various shades of tombstone gray, ailing mouse, funeral black and deep-pit coal.”
For years I’ve been trying to describe to others what the totally destroyed taxis looked like when I had to use them in my African third world “tour” experience. That above comment nailed it. Thank you.
Why don’t Europeans like sliding doors? I think it would make these vehicles much more useful. k
I too like the reviews of mass-market cars. The true marvel of modern industry is its ability to bring utilitarian but admirable products within the reach of ordinary laborers.
A noted architect, whose designs for large projects had received much applause, was asked why he did not design homes. Houses, he explained, were too complicated. Similarly, its hard to make cheap but good cars.
TTAC front page – RELEVANT in the real world questionaire:
2008 Lexus LS600hL Review – Take Two: NOPE
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Review: NOPE
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review: NOPE
2008 Audi A5 Review: NOPE
2008 BMW M3 vs. 2008 Audi RS4: NOPE
2008 BMW M3 Review: NOPE
2008 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5 dCi Review: YES
TTAC front page – RELEVANT in the car enthousiast world questionaire:
2008 Lexus LS600hL Review – Take Two: MEH
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Review: YES
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review: YES
2008 Audi A5 Review: YES
2008 BMW M3 vs. 2008 Audi RS4: YES
2008 BMW M3 Review: HELL YES
2008 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5 dCi Review: NOPE
JJ:
While I enjoy seeing cars like the LS600hL, Evo, C63 AMG, A5, M3, RS4 reviewed by Top Gear (ie: stunts, ridiculous competitions, etc.), I prefer to read about cars like this Logan and wish TTAC would review more vehicles the majority can afford than review vehicles the majority wished they could afford. Maybe I’m just too practical…
TTAC front page – RELEVANT in the real world questionaire:
2008 Lexus LS600hL Review – Take Two: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Review: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 Audi A5 Review: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 BMW M3 vs. 2008 Audi RS4: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 BMW M3 Review: DONE ELSEWHERE
2008 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5 dCi Review: YES
I like that TTAC is doing something off the beaten path. More of these reviews. If I want to see any of the above I’ll read Car and Driver, Road & Track, and/or Motor Trend. They’ve all done them and put them out in the same month. BORING.
Why not just get a used car instead of this? I’d assume price is the main buying point of this car, but I know for certain they’re plenty of good-quality used car bargains available for the same price. How’s the depreciation on this thing, too?
lets see
ugly- no problem most cars sold in america are ugly.
Large, holds a lot- good
diesel- good, wonderful torque even if small, I like diesel
MPG – great
Interior – humble – OK, I know its not an audi
Not a lotus elise – well this was known before I thought of reading the article, so OK
This is a nice companion to the small cheap pickup truck that nobody will sell in the USA.
jems86, FromBrazil, I am from Venezuela, somos vecinos.
We get here the Chevy C2, Mexican facelift of the 1st gen Corsa, Logan (4dr only), Palio, Siena, Palio Young, Siena Fire, Palio Weekend, Sentra B13 (mexican Tsuru)-f@#$%&ing expensive, Fiesta (only 5 dr), Aveo, Clio, Symbol, VW Gol, VW Fox, Hyundai Getz, Signo (prev gen mitsubishi Lancer) had the Ka but it was discontinued recently (and the new brazilian looks awful).
I’m with FromBrazil… next in line should be Palio, Corsa, Fiesta, Clio, Gol, Twingo, etc…
Wow, I’m impressed how faithful and industrious TTAC’s Best and Brightest are: only 506 pages views, yet 34 comments! Best ratio of views-to-comments in the business.
OK, after this poor attempt to provide comic relief to the broken page counter issue, I’ll (finally) begin to address some issues raised here.
romanjetfighter: interesting and important question. It seems that Dacia buyers are often former used-car buyers who appreciate the low price and three-year guarantee of the Logan. Apparently, many people out of principle buy used because they dislike the depreciation and also dislike giving untrustable car companies so much money.
Interesting article touching this subject from The Economist here:
The Logic of the Logan
http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11436819
If Dacia really has tapped the great unwashed masses of used-car buyers, then they firstly created a new purchasing demography, and secondly don’t have to worry about cannibalistic effects. Pretty impressive, I would say.
The topic of new versus used is highly interesting but difficult to resolve, because it can be thrown at any car purchasing decision. Why buy a new Mercedes and not a used Ferrari? For me, it’s sufficient to point out that the real-money depreciation of a 10k car is low, even if the percentage depreciation is maybe not top-notch.
FromBrazil: thanks again for your kind words. Tell all your friends in Brazil to read TTAC and I’m sure Mr Farago, seeing the geographical page view analysis, will be more than glad to publish articles that interest you.
I appreciate all the other comments, especially those who welcome this kind of wacky review. Personally, I think it’s great that TTAC is taking the risk to go off the beaten path, as jimal put it.
Jeebus, you go away for a little break and suddenly TTAC looks less totally US.
These cars will be available to all via hire companies in Southern Europe. There they will be abused by racing italians, the “don’t give a toss” spanish, overweight Germans and hung over drving on the wrong side Brits.
This will last 3 months before they are shipped off as nearly new good deals to the locals and eventually they will be used to transport sheep in the hills by local farmers before expiring in a field in about 3 years time – the fuel injection system being too complex to repair.
Remember the answer to the question “what is the fastest road car in the world” is “any hire car”.
The R4 was better, the 207 is rubbish.
Regarding the previous poster who referenced the fact that Americans may not be interested in these world car reviews:
I certainly understand why many non-USA residents may feel that way, due to the typical myopic attitude about the rest of the world and USA-only grandiosity demonstrated by the typical (overweight) American. However, there are many of us who are moving away from this view and find that automotive products, attitudes, and ideas from our the international friends are fascinating.
TTAC – please keep providing these types of reviews. I am breathlessly awaiting the arrival of Fiat/Alfa Romeo on these shores due to comments made by the many Alfistis worldwide that regularly visit TTAC, and look forward to checking out MiTo, 500, 149, 8C Competizione…etc, in 2010-11 due to what I have learned on this web site.
Keep up the good work!
Personally, I think it’s great that TTAC is taking the risk to go off the beaten path, as jimal put it.
Of course you can also go off the beaten path and still review M3s and the likes…
Maybe the high price of gas will bring the truly simplistic utilitarian vehicles back to America.
I don’t want to high cost of luxury, don’t want the high depreciation of luxury, and I’m not out to impress anyone with a daily driver. I’d rather have an impressive house and retirement account than drive thirsty, expensive vehicles everyday.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a car guy and want some cool cars for occasional use but my daily driver needs to be useful, frugal mpg, but still a quality vehicle that is not going to get me killed in a crash or stay broken most of the time.
“But when in Rome, you do as the Romanians do” – I want to believe the person who wrote this knows that Rome is in Italy and Romanians live in Romania, therefore two countries completely different. But let’s say this person stays ok with geography and let’s comment about Dacia.
I want to say just that this car won’t disappoint you as FORD or GM did. My father owned one for 16 years! Do you believe it? How many cars in these days can do that?! The answer is definitely not anyone made in USA one. Any American car will function as long as the warranty will last, after that God help us! Why?! Because this is a consumption society and this is how things are done, just to get broken so that you will always be in debt.
Why Dacia? Because you want an inexpensive car, functional, at a low cost for the owner, large enough to hold a lot of stuffs, a car on diesel (low fuel consumption, of course if the American market will accept that because it seems like they didn’t accept for KIA SOUL), a car with great MPG, and a good medium size. The last but not the least, the owner can manage to repair it at a low cost, sometimes the owner can manage to repair it by himself or with a little help of a mechanic.
I am not saying Dacia is a luxury car, I am saying Dacia is a smart car, and I am saying is a car that will keep the owner away from becoming a debt slave. People don’t forget, the car is not an investment, all the time is a loss!
Last I heard the Kia Soul diesel is a demo car only in the USA. Sounds interesting though!
I’d give the Dacia a look were they sold here in the USA.