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Renault Logan Stepway Is Real and Rugged

A lot of companies try to make their regular cars look more rugged with varying levels of success. Romanian carmaker Dacia started calling its unshaved lumberjacks "Stepway" about a decade ago and never looked back.
Renault Logan Stepway Is Real, and It's Rugged 3 photos
Photo: Renault
Renault Logan Stepway Is Real, and It's RuggedRenault Logan Stepway Is Real, and It's Rugged
We feature a lot of renderings here on autoevolution, and some of them feature this kind of transformation. But when Renault revealed the Logan Stepway today, I had to check when its digital version came out, which was in 2017. At the time, we suggested that a project like this had only a slim chance of happening, yet here we are... eating a slice of humble pie.

As you can tell, the Logan sedan has received a rugged body kit and a mild suspension lift. We have to compare it to the Volvo S60 Cross Country, the only such car in modern memory until it was discontinued this year.

Why is it called a Renault?

Well, those familiar with how the Renault-Nissan group works know that the Dacia brand isn't only really used in Europe. South America, the other big market for these cheap cars, gets the French brand. But rather surprisingly, this project comes from Russia, where the Logan is also locally made.

As a result, the engines available are a little more rudimentary than the ones in the rest of Europe. The base unit packs 82 horsepower, but there are 102 and 113 hp 16-valve versions too. For extra convenience, there's are automatic versions, either a 5-speed EasyR or a 4-speed conventional unit with a torque converter. The slowest model takes over 15 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Also, a 90 HP 1.5-liter diesel is offered with a 5-speed manual.

The Logan Stepway may have been launched as a reaction to the Lada Vesta Cross, which ironically is also made by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and probably shares at least one engine.

At least the Logan is pretty well specced, being equipped with Android Auto, parking sensors, and heated front seats.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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