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DACIA Logan Review

OUR TEST CAR: DACIA Logan 0.9 TCe Laureate

 
DACIA Logan - Page - 2
Despite only achieving a moderate score for this chapter, the new Dacia Logan is clearly a step ahead in terms of comfort when compared to the previous model and that’s because the automaker has followed a simple principle: fix what was wrong in the past.

The ergonomics are now superior, with most of the controls being within your reach. The steering is lighter, so parking maneuvers are considerably easier, but the ultra-thin steering wheel may offer an unpleasant sensation to many drivers

There are certain areas of the car that provide comfort but aren’t obvious if you just take a quick look around the cabin. The driver’s footrest, for example, is now in its place, so you no longer have to use the rounded shape of the old model. Then there’s the center armrest, which is now offered as an option. This comes after many owners of the previous model turned to the aftermarket world for having one.

Another apparently minor element that could really get on one’s nerves in the old model was the turn signal sound, which was shared with multiple low-cost Renault cars. This has changed now and it feels much more civilized.

However, the cost-cutting shortcuts mean that the cabin of the Logan doesn’t get receive quite as much soundproofing as you’d like it to. And when you open or close the doors, these make unpleasant metallic sounds, with the whole cabin amplifying these. What’s more, both the interior and the exterior the doorhandles also sound unusual in a bad way.

Financial reasons are also behind the lack of a proper grab handle for the rear doors. In fact, the rear passengers don’t get too much respect, as they also lack any kind of storage space, as well as side airbags.

While these absences may or may not be understandable, there’s no excuse for the fact that the climate control system doesn’t seem to fully faces the challenges of your average winter season.

We’ll also mention the sun visor mirrors. It’s great the vehicle has two of them considering its price, but these are not covered - this allows the reflections to draw your attention when the visors are in certain positions.

In the end, the Logan offers a decent level of comfort, mixing elements such as the excellent interior space with issues brought by the low budget nature of the vehicle.

The secret to Dacia’s successful low cost cocktail is a one-platform-fits-all drink with carryover ice cubes. Like the rest of the new models in Dacia’s range, the second-generation Logan rides on the M0 platform, sharing over 50 percent of its parts with that of the 2004 model. We have to explain that the underpinnings of the first generation were already borrowed from the 1990 first-generation Renault Clio.

Fortunately, the engine compartment of the new Logan accommodates radical changes for the petrol units, albeit mixed with just mild ones for the diesels. While the two power versions of the 1.5-liter dCi oil burner have received an output premium of 5 hp and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) each, the petrol range has a new face altogether.

The outdated 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter (8v and 16v) powerplants of the first generation have been ditched in favor of modern, downsized units. It all starts with a four-cylinder 1.2-liter 16v engine delivering 75 hp, or 72 hp when using LPG.

This is followed by the most important member of the new engine line-up, the 0.9-liter three-cylinder turbocharged TCe unit we tested.

The 898cc powerplant delivers 90 hp at 5,250 rpm and a peak torque of 135 Nm (99.6 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm, with 90 percent of the torque being available from 1,650 rpm. The unit comes with an official mixed cycle fuel efficiency of 5.3 liters per 100 km (44 mpg), emitting 122 grams of CO2/km.

To achieve the aforementioned performance and efficiency figures, the aluminum-block unit relies on technical solutions such as a low-inertia turbocharger and variable valve timing. The driver can also use an Eco button on the dashboard, with this activating dedicated engine and throttle pedal maps that favor fuel efficiency over performance.

Other notable changes include swapping the hydraulic power steering with an electro-hydraulic one, as well as the addition of ESP as a standard feature on all models - this wasn’t available at all on the previous generation.

The tech side of the new Logan manages to offer a decent experience, disguising its aging platform so that this can’t be perceived by many drivers - for example, this is why you can’t switch off the ESP. More importantly, the Logan now offers modern powerplants that bring benefits on all fronts.

The Logan range starts at €5,395 without VAT and for the money you get the Acces version. This doesn’t come with too many standard features that are worth mentioning, even though there are a few exceptions. The list includes electro-hydraulic power steering, ABS, ESP, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), as well as four airbags.

We have to explain that this model features black bumpers, exterior mirrors and door handles and it is only offered with the 1.2-liter 16V 75 hp petrol engine.

Next up, we have the Ambiance trim level, which is offered with the aforementioned engine, the 0.9 TCe unit we drove and the 75 hp version of the 1.5-liter dCi oil burner. This starts at €6,129 (plus VAT) for the petrol powerplant and at 7,661 (plus VAT) for the diesel.

The Ambiance adds color-coded bumper, the Eco-Mode feature, an MP3 audio system with jack and USB connectivity and steering wheel column-mounted controls, superior interior trimming and power front windows, as well as other, less important features.

The third and best equipment level is the Laureate, which also allows you to opt for the 90 hp 1.5 dCi diesel unit. This starts at €7,016 (VAT not included) for the entry-level 75 hp petrol unit and climbs to €9,032 (plus VAT) if you opt for the aforementioned diesel powerplant.

The most important standard features it adds include a manual climate control system, power & heated exterior mirrors, a trip computer, color-coded exterior door handles, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, fog lights, as well as a better interior trimming.

As for the list of optional features, this varies quite a lot depending on the equipment level chosen. The entry-level Acces model doesn’t come with any such goodies, while the Ambiance allows you to go for air conditioning and fog lights.

The range-topping Laureate allows you to opt for three packages. First, we have the Media Nav, which brings a seven-inch touch screen. The hardware is provided by LG, while the navigation software comes from NNG. As for the maps, these arrive via Navteq. The system also offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It does a decent job but nothing more - we have to consider that it retails for €300 (plus €100 for the maps), a very impressive price for an OEM navigation system of this kind.

You can also choose the €400 Security pack, consisting of rear parking sensors, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the €350 Look pack, which brings 15-inch alloy wheels and electric rear windows. The final touch is brought by the center armrest, which can be ordered as a separate option for €100.

The second generation of the Logan has brought a slight pricing increase, but it has also seen the model being gifted with considerably more features.

The new Logan hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP so far, but don’t hold your breath, the results will probably climb up to four out of five stars at best.

The previous generation of the Logan received a three-star rating, with the dummies being in a pretty bad shape after the crash. Dacia’s latest model to be tested by the aforementioned organization, the Doker light utility vehicle, also received a three-star safety rating.

The aforementioned situations are not coincidences: at least for the short to medium term future, Dacia won’t deliver a five-star model, despite parent Renault’s usual safety brilliance.

The company itself has admitted this, explaining that such a development would push the price of the car past what it thinks the consumers are willing to pay. In terms of passive safety features, the Logan can come with dual-stage airbags for the driver and passenger, as well as side airbags for the front seat occupants.

Nevertheless, the Logan has made significant changes in terms of active safety. While ABS was an optional feature on the previous generation (pre-facelift), the new one not only offers this in standard, but also adds ESP for all models. Just like the revamped version of the first generation, it also offers EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist). In addition to that, it features daytime running lights, albeit not with LED technology.

It’s hard to call this an active safety feature, but the suspension now allows for less body roll. If we add this to the intrusive ESP, we end up with significantly less chances of getting off the road, a problem that was clearly present with the previous model.

When building a low-cost vehicle, there’s always a thin line between cheap and value for money - the Logan finds itself on the good side of this balance and this is the best part of the car. The new generation may come with a small pricing increase, but it’s also better equipped, so the ratio between the two stays positive for the customers.

The Logan range now starts at just under €7,000 ($9,300), but a model like the one we drove, with the smart 0.9 TCe engine and gifted with most of the necessary features, climbs to the €10,000 ($13,312) level. We have to mention that the prices include 24 percent VAT.

Another good part of the Logan that’s even better now is its interior space. This vehicle can accommodate up to five passengers and their luggage, no matter how long the journey is.

This Dacia is also robust and dependable, albeit slightly less compared to the old model if you go for the downsized 0.9-liter TCe engine. However, if you’re not planning to abuse the car in rough areas, this powerplant is certainly the way to go. It offers a good compromise between refinement, power and fuel efficiency.

However, don’t expect the Logan to excel at any chapter other than the aforementioned ones. We are dealing with a budget car and you’ll feel it in each and every aspect of everyday driving. This, of course, is the worst side of the vehicle.

The interior styling may have evolved, but it’s still uninspiring. The fit and finish is rather poor and this can be felt both inside and out. For example, you end up with a bootlid lock that freezes during the winter - Now that’s a special story.

Renault welcomed back the Dacia brand and brought it under the international spotlights in order to offer people a no-frills budget line-up of vehicles. The French carmaker did just this, which is why Dacia’s models are now more successful than many of its own. The Logan undercuts all its competitors in terms of pricing, but you inevitably pay for this. It may be a utility-derived choice like the Duster, but unlike Dacia’s crossover, it’s not a pleasant one.
THE END
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autoevolution Jan 2013
49
History
5
Exterior
4
Interior
4
In the city
7
Open road
4
Comfort
6
Tech facts
6
Gadgets
5
Safety
4
Conclusion
4
75user rating 104 votes
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