Dacia has gained great traction over the last two years or so, launching itself into the limelight with its cheap and cheerful Sandero supermini, Duster crossover and the Logan MCV.
With an estate body style, the Logan is aimed at those who want an extremely cheap alternative to more lavish estate models from German kingpins like Audi and Volkswagen.
Some will buy an estate, however, purely for its luxurious qualities. But does the Logan have enough about it to create its own budget niche in the market and challenge the Skoda Fabia estate?
Performance
Engine options are hardly in abundance with the Logan, but its 0.9-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel give you some core options.
The 89bhp 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol will favour those who need something to get them from A to B, simple as that. But don’t let its miniature size put you off, the 0.9-litre still has a fair amount of punch for such a small engine, completing the 0-62mph sprint in just 11.1 seconds. There is also a 1.2-litre petrol with 74bhp available, but it’s hard to see why you would opt for this one.
If you want something that feels a little meatier when it comes to pulling power, the 89bhp 1.5-litre diesel will more than suffice. A great choice if you planning on loading the car up to its capacity.
Ride and Handling
Road noise in the cabin isn’t actually that intrusive, but revving out the 0.9-litre will give you a hefty grumble from under the bonnet.
The Logan is certainly built for comfort as opposed to fun – and if you were expecting fun, you are certainly looking at the wrong car. What you do get is a supple suspension that handles bumps with ease and decently weighted steering. Like the Sandero supermini it is based on however, the steering does lack a little feedback and there is a bit of body roll in the corners, but this probably won’t faze those who are after comfort. Road noise in the cabin isn’t actually that intrusive, but revving out the 0.9-litre will give you a hefty grumble from under the bonnet.
Interior and Equipment
Dacia only arrived on UK shores in early 2013. It currently offers just three models, the Duster SUV, Sandero supermini and Logan estate.
Like every Dacia on the market, the Logan takes a stripped back, necessity-driven approach, with features like electric windows, Bluetooth and remote central locking nowhere to be seen at entry level. The mid-range Ambience trim level on the other hand, adds these features. Although it defeats the point of buying such a budget car, if you go for the top of the range Laureate model you get a leather wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and aircon. Comfort is surprisingly good in the Logan, with loads of cubby holes dotted around and an airy cabin. Rear passenger space is also impressive as there is tons of head and leg room.
Cost
Its price tag is of course a massive talking point and at under £7,000 it is one of the cheapest cars on sale.
If you are after low insurance then the diddy 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol is sure to bring costs down. But if low running costs are your prerogative, go for the 1.5-litre diesel as this returns an average fuel economy of 80.7mpg. Its price tag is of course a massive talking point and at under £7,000 it is one of the cheapest cars on sale. When it comes to residuals with any Dacia model, the ultra-competitive starting price means residual values are actually quite impressive.
Our Verdict
The Logan is perfect for those who need a durable run-around for a busy lifestyle, especially if you are prone to moving things like furniture about. Estate cars tend to come with a certain dollop of grandeur. The Logan on the other hand is much more about practicality and convenience and it is safe to say that it has successfully created its own unique niche in the market place.
