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Lots of space and super cheap to buy: first owner of the Dacia Logan MCV couldn't go wrong. However, used car buyers need to look carefully.
The vehicles from Dacia are the cheapest new cars on the German market. This also applies to the Dacia Logan offered between 2013 and 2020, which competed here in the estate version (MCV) from just under 8.000 euros. For the money there was a comparatively handsome sheet metal dress, well-known technology and a lot of space. The question remains, how does the Logan MCV fare at TÜV?
Body and interior
While the first Dacia Logan generation could at best be assigned to the “pretty-ugly” category, the second clearly blossomed. It wasn't enough for a beauty prize or a design award, but as a driver of the 4,50 meter long station wagon you no longer have to apologize for your stylistic taste.
Especially since the Logan offers a decent amount of space and can definitely convince in terms of trunk volume (573 - 1.518 liters). On the other hand, you have to be satisfied with a simple interior, only in the higher equipment lines a little chrome-colored trimmings loosen up the sober dreariness. However, ergonomics and workmanship are right. The operation poses no problems for Renault drivers, as the Logan, like the technically closely related Sandero, used many technical components from the Clio III.
At the end of 2016, the MCV received a facelift with a new apron including a modified grill and a new light signature as well as LED daytime running lights. At the rear, modified bumpers and LED taillights with a four-square look make the difference. In 2017 Dacia brought the Stepway variant, which allows the station wagon to drive up in off-road style. It comes up with a two-tone front apron, black side skirts and wheel arch extensions as well as an underride guard at the rear. There is also a lift by 4,6 centimeters.
Motors and drive
Dacia initially had two petrol engines, a liquefied petroleum gas variant (LPG) and a diesel on offer for the Logan. The 1,2-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine has an output of 55 kW / 75 PS and is fine for patient drivers with low demands on driving dynamics. The standard sprint takes 14,5 seconds and the top speed is 162 km / h.
The 0,9-liter three-cylinder with 66 kW / 90 PS is a little faster. The turbo mobilizes at least 135 Nm and manages to accelerate from 11,1 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds and move the speedometer needle up to 175 km / h. With an average consumption of 5 liters, it is below the value of the four-cylinder (5,8 liters). The most economical is the 1,5-liter diesel with also 90 hp (220 Nm). He is content with an average of 3,8 liters, but is also not an athlete (Vmax: 162 km / h). The LPG variants also lack any sporting ambition. Initially, the 1,2-liter vacuum cleaner is the basis here, and from 2016 the three-cylinder.
With the facelift, there are only three-cylinder engines in the gasoline range, but the diesel is still on offer. A one-liter three-cylinder has an output of 54 k / 73 hp and is positioned below the 90 hp engine. Towards the end of its model life, the Logan was given the top engine version, the 1.0 in the expansion stage with 74 kW / 101 PS. The 90 hp unit is only available in conjunction with an automated five-speed gearbox. A manual five-speed gearbox is used in each of the other engines.
By the way: there is no all-wheel drive, and the Stepway versions only have front-wheel drive.
Equipment and safety
At a price of around 8.000 euros, you can't expect too many features. In fact, the basic version called "Access" is only for die-hard people, especially since this version was only available with the entry-level petrol engine. No radio, no air conditioning, no electric mirrors or power windows are on board; Those who do not want to do without these conveniences have to look at at least used models at the "Essential" level, better still than "Comfort", here the air conditioning is also standard.
The best equipment is offered by "Stepway", here almost everything is available that Dacia has ready for the station wagon, including GPS. Many extras can also be booked for Essential and Comfort, so that you have to pay attention to the details given when studying the used car offers.
When it comes to safety, Dacia only offers the bare essentials. Modern assistants are missing. The MCV completed the NCAP crash test in 2014 with three out of five stars.
Quality of the Dacia Logan
Those interested in used cars should take a very close look at their dream model or have it taken. The low prices for new cars are likely to tempt first owners not to treat their vehicle with particular care, let alone to pay it regular service and workshop visits.
The TÜV inspectors find many weak points during the main inspections. Axle suspensions, the lighting system, brakes and loss of oil cause problems. In the evaluation, compared to the average of all vehicles examined by the TÜV, the MCV models stand out due to their increased defect rates. The TÜV report shows an average of 2 percent for 3 to 5,5 year old vehicles with regard to the assessment of “significant defects”. The Logan is 10,4 percent. The big differences also continue in the 4 to 5 year old cars. The Logan gets a rating of 19,2 percent for “significant defects”, with an average of 9,2 percent.
Conclusion
The Logan MCV is not a bargain in the used car portals. For older models you have to shell out at least 3.500 to 4.000 euros, if you are interested in a Stepway vehicle, for example, you have to invest at least 6.500 euros.
