Mahindra Renault Logan - GLX 1.4 Petrol Quick Review
Vinod offered me his new Logan for a test drive. It is a Logan GLX 1.4 Petrol version. It has front power windows, AC and Power Steering.
Looks - External
Certainly Logan is not a head-turner, but it has got decent looks. Vinod told me that this is DACIA LOGAN originally. Renault bought Dacia some time ago, and Mahindra is selling the same Dacia Logan as Mahindra Renault Logan in India. The finish is pretty decent and looks a little big and wide than any other car in its class. No sexy curves, but a mere utilitarian boxy cuts. Features tyres similar to Ford Ikon.
Looks - Internal
The interiors are pretty decent and BIG. Imagine it is as big .. that you may wonder if you are driving an SUV (okay thats exaggerating). A off-beige color interior mated with same color dashboard and black round AC vents similar to Fiesta and Aveo. The interiors look plasticky and okay. The leg space is great and good. But the non-adjustable steering offers a INDICA style driving dis-comfort. The front seats are decent with generic thigh support. The rear seats are wide and 3 persons can sit comfortably, with ample leg-room and excellent head-room. The upholstery is good matching the interiors.
Engine & Performance
Logan 1.4 Petrol is powered by DACIA engine and not a renault engine. So do not expect miracles in this model. The engine is revvy, but not that peppy. On the velachery highway, we were able to cruise comfortably and during the course, I didnt notice any power lag. This means, one would not find any noticeable performance drop in city driving. The car is pretty decent for city driving. The AC is above average and does not slow down the car’s performance. The gear shift is smooth but long throws made me feel like.. driving an Alto. Anyway given the value it offered, I dont mind the gear throws.
Comfort
Logan can take good amount of shocks from bad roads. The body noise is barely audible and Mahindra has done a good job. The suspensions are sturdy and offer you a comfortable ride. The steering is not upto the mark. Swift scores a lot better in terms of steering ergonomics.
Overall & Conclusion
Mahindra Renault Logan is a all-rounder sedan for India. Logan GLX 1.4 costs Rs.5.3Lakhs on road (Chennai). The car is focused on the budget-conscious buyer offering ample space and decent performance. If Mahindra plays the cards well, this could become a class on its own, like 800 and Ambassador. Rating - 3.9/5 stars
- Rajesh Sundaram
Addendum:
Vinod has posted his review in his blog. You can read it here