Around three years ago me and my wife had to cut our expenses, a structural adjustment to fit into a shrunken budget. We planned to replace the 2008 Honda CR-V (COAL here) by a cheaper and more economical car in order to cut gas, insurance, taxes, and all the other running and ownership costs. Finding an inexpensive and economical car capable of multiple family duties is not easy nowadays, especially because station wagons are few and not cheap in Brazil. Any kind of SUV or CUV would not qualify either, as they’re even more expensive and not cheap to run, otherwise I would not have let that Honda go away.
The solution we found was, again, a compact sedan, the same market category of the 2009 VW Voyage we owned before the Honda. As one can imagine by reading a previous COAL (here) I would strongly avoid to buy a VW product. Then one day we stumbled in to a four year old 2011 Renault Logan. It had just arrived at a GM dealer used car lot, with only 6.000 km on it.
Renaults don’t have a high reputation in Brazil meaning depreciation was steeper than in comparison to some of the competition, like the VW Voyage and Fiat Siena, so the Logan used market prices tended to be lower than the competition. In case of that particular car, the price was a little bit above the market average for the model and year, due to its very good condition.
Dacia Logan
I was not thrilled to own a Renault but the alternatives were less attractive, considering our budget limitations. So let me give you guys some quick facts about the Renault Logan. It was engineered targeting emerging markets (Eastern Europe, India, Russia, Brazil, and others), but eventually it was also sold in richer countries like some in Western Europe. It’s been assembled in many countries: Mioveni, Romania; São José dos Pinhais, Brazil; Envigado, Colombia; Nashik, India (Mahindra); Tehran, Iran (Pars Khodro, IKCO); Casablanca, Morocco (Somaca); Moscow, Russia (Avtoframos); Tolyatti, Russia (Lada), and commercialized mainly as Dacia Logan, but also as Renault Logan, Nissan Aprio and Mahindra Verito, among other names. The Brazilian Logan was released in 2007. Some sources say from 2004 to 2014 world sales of the Logan were around 1.5 million.
Dacia Logan
It was designed at Renault’s Technocentre near Paris (and not by Dacia, the Romanian Renault’s subsidiary) under the X90 project following a “design to cost” method. For example, body lines were drawn to reduce stamping/production costs, so it has an almost flat windshield, windows and body panels, resulting in a very boxy design. It is said that the Logan has only around 3.000 parts, comparing to 5.000 on “regular” cars. Also, many of those parts are simpler than average, like symmetrical rear-view mirrors that are used on either side of the car, and a single injection-molded piece dashboard. Engines and other driveline components were taken from existing Renault cars, like the Clio.
Back to the Logan I bought, it was an Expression version, which was the top trim at the time. That meant: power windows (front doors), alarm and remote power locks, tachometer, air conditioning, adjustable tilting wheel drive, fog lights, parking alarm sensors on the back bumpers, and an aftermarket Pioneer CD player/USB port with a good set of speakers (unfortunately, it was black. I’d have preferred other colors).
Brazilian Renault Logan
Engine was the 1.6l 8V flexfuel (K7M Hi-Torque, a SOHC) delivering 96 hp at 5250 rpm an 14,1 kgfm at 2850 rpm on alcohol or 92 hp and 13,4 kgfm on gasoline. This engine family dates back to the 1990’s and with more or less the same specifications (in some cases, with a 16V head) was also used on contemporary Renaults like the small hatchback Clio, the mid sized sedan/wagon Megane, and the Sandero, which was basically a Logan hatchback with some different body panels.
Good thing our Logan wasn’t the 1.0l 16V! That would be dangerously week for a sedan of that size. The really good thing about the Logan is its body. Considering it’s price level, it’s huge inside, because it’s wide (1,74 m / 68.5 in), tall (1,534 m / 60.4 in) and has a long wheel base (2,63 m/ 103.5 in) on a 4,29 m (168.8 in) length. The trunk has 510 l (18 cubic feet). That’s very good comparing to a contemporary VW Voyage like I owned, which had 4,23 m (166.5 in) length, 2,46 mm (97.0 in) wheelbase, and 1,66 m (65.2 in) width. That’s even comparable to a contemporary Corolla (which is a much better car overall and, of course, a lot more expensive): 4,54m lenght (178.7 in), 2,60m (102.4 in) wheel base, 1,76m (69.3 in) width, 1,465 m (57.7 in) height and a 470l (16,6 cubic feet) trunk.
Another thing I love on the Logan is it’s ground clearance (I think its around 24 cm 0r 9,5 inches) and its tough but somewhat soft suspension, very convenient considering the poor shape of the roads in my home town. Performance of the engine is enough and economy is average, all adequate considering this car purposes. Actually, because of the relatively wide track and long wheel base long distance trips are fairly comfortable.
Brazilian 2011 Renault Logan
Before buying it my major concern was reliability but everything has been fine until now. We got it with 6.000 km (3,700 miles) and put it another 40.000 km (25,000 miles). Not one breakdown, just regular maintenance like oil, filters, etc. So overall I’m very happy with it, and hopefully it lasts many more miles and years. Taking my experience with a Volkswagen just a few years back and now a Renault, that’s been a nice lesson on how sometimes better reputation don’t exactly means proper better quality, and that can be hold for the other way around too, at least that’s my point of view.
Current Brazilian market Renault Logan
The Renault Logan has been redone a few years ago, with a much more mainstream design, although maintaining the same general proportions of the older one (same platform). Many people consider the Mk2 Logan more beautiful and I agree, but I grew fond of the Mk1’s quirkiness.
Note 1: pictures of the black Logan and of the interior are of my car. The other pictures are from the internet.
Note 2: this is my last COAL. I must thank Paul for building this wonderful internet spot called Curbside Classic and for allowing me the opportunity to share some of my stories. I’d also like to thank all the readers and commentators for following this series. I hope I have given you guys a little perspective on car ownership in Brazil. Happy motoring!
Thank you, Eliminator, for your well written COAL series. I really enjoyed learning about Brazil through your articles.
The Logan reminds me of our Renault 4 experience. It was a spartan car and obviously Renault has not lost its know how in spartan cars. We loved ours and I would enjoy a Logan for the same reasons: space utilization, ruggedness, simplicity, economy, reasonable comfort!
About a year ago I bought my first brand-new car, a Renault Sandero Stepway. It’s a raised version of the Sandero Hatchback, sharing platform with the featured car. Engine is from the same family, a DOCH K4M with a little bit more power, about 10 more hp. The car has only 7500 km, so it should be running like new. It does. I had had several Brazilian cars (my Renault was built in Sao José dos Pinhais), and the overall experience (mainly with Fiat) had been good enough. As Eliminator says, there’s nothing in its performance beyond average, but for front seat occupants the car is very comfortable, smooth running (except engine noise at speed) and high enough to let me enter my short but “robust” frame with no contortions. My version is the “fully equipped”, including power mirrors, one-touch windows in all doors, and a very complete audio/navigation system with a 7″ touch screen. It even has backup crash detectors. No rear view camera, though. All told, I’d say that if the car keeps going as it does, I’ll probably keep it for many years. Cars in Uruguay are awfully expensive.
Interesting article, but I’m curious about something. For at least a few decades, I’ve wondered about the Euro option thing with power windows up front and manual winding windows in the back. You’d think that the reverse would be more practical if one set of windows must be muscle-powered. Has the power front/manual back scheme ever been used on an American car?
I think so, maybe in the Neon?
The North American Ford Focus S (base model) from 2012 to 2015 had the front power window/rear manual window configuration.
When Ford reintroduced the Mustang convertible in 1983, only front power windows could be ordered as an option, probably because it was adapted from the coupe (which had fixed rear windows). To my knowledge, all four weren’t power operated until the 1986 model year.
Well, knock me over with a feather. I knew none of this US-market stuff!
I rented a Renault Logan in Medellin, Colombia during a 2013 trip there. I drove it to Santa Fe de Antioquia, which is on a flat plain down the hill from Medellin. The 1.4 engine was peppy and brisk going up hills and the manual gearshift engaged quite smoothly as in other Renaults I’ve driven. My Colombian Logan did not have airbags and I remember that the green turn signal indicator light in the gauge cluster had both the left and right arrows combined so it only uses one bulb – another cost-down feature! I liked that car.
A very interesting series, thank you for this. This particular car is interesting as well. It seems to have been quite awhile since I can remember an American company doing some real “back to basics” engineering. The Logan has some very Henry Ford-esque engineering to it. Really, why do we need two separate designs for a left and right side mirror?
It has always seemed to me that with some effort an awful lot of cost and complexity can be wrung out of a typical design, money that could either go into better quality mechanical components or lower cost to the buyer.
I am happy to hear that the car is taking good care of you.
“It has always seemed to me that with some effort an awful lot of cost and complexity can be wrung out of a typical design, money that could either go into better quality mechanical components or lower cost to the buyer. ..”
But how often would that instead go to executive bonuses?? Or shareholder profits?
JP: Totally agree
I don’t see any of that as building to cost, but common sense.
This car, for me, has excellent engineering behind it, headroom, interior room great luggage space in a small footprint.
“Purpose built”, I’d call it. Function following form.
The last car I can remember in the US having anything close to such simplicity [and it wasn’t great for interior or headroom, being so stupidly low to the ground], was the original Saturn S Series.
If Nissan brought this in as a new Versa or even a new line, I’d be all over it.
Thanks for taking the time to write about your COALs. It’s always great to read about experiences from different parts of the world and the conditions that influence the automotive landscape in that particular area. I enjoyed your series as well!
+1
Interesting read on a car I have seen many off but never experienced. Basic and cheap does not have to below par any more. Ask Skoda.
The UK only gets the Logan estate/MPV and the Sandero hatch now, so I hadn’t seen the Mk 2 styling in the saloon form. Dacia has a bright future – many Renault dealers here are pushing Dacia more and more, as a sort of French take on Skoda.
I don’t think Skoda is a budget brand anymore. Today’s Skodas are neither basic nor cheap and I would prefer an Octavia over a Golf any day.
I work in Romania for most of the year and get to drive a lot of Skodas and Dacias. Nothing wrong with Dacia, they’re rugged and reliable basic transport, but Skoda is clearly a few steps up the ladder.
When I think of Skoda steam locomotives come to mind, not cars. Apparently they have not been successful in rebranding their name in my mind. 🙂
So does VW need a sub-Skoda brand in their Sloan ladder? 😉
In my book, Dacias are A-o.k. We’ve had them in the u.k since 2012, there is simply nothing comparable for the price. Yes, the base model with the headline grabbing absurdly low price really is VERY basic but even after you’ve optioned one up with cruise, air con, sat nav etc it’s still thousands cheaper than the nearest equivalent.
We’ve run a 2013 Sandero from new, a 1.5 turbo diesel with all the options and despite four years of quite punishing use as a work vehicle mainly in city traffic it continues to provide sterling service.
While they have underpinnings from older Clio models, the engines are bang up to date and the same as Renault use in more expensive models. My personal record is 82 m.p.g.
Highly recommended.
… a “design to cost” method. For example, body lines were drawn to reduce stamping/production costs, so it has an almost flat windshield, windows and body panels, resulting in a very boxy design.
Thanks for the clarification of that term. I found a film produced by Renault corporate highlighting some of the company’s accomplishments, including a “design to cost” model. My interpretation of that term was breaking new ground in unrelenting cheapness of material and design, rather that a design philosophy centered on simplification.
I presume your Logan was built in Brazil. Do you see electrical components on it with names like Ducellier, Marchal or Paris-Rhone? My French built Renault had components from those vendors and their reputation then was the equal of Lucas and Marelli.
Here is the Renault video.
Steve, yes, all Logan and some other Renaults sold in Brazil are local built, at the São José dos Pinhais plant. I read that last year it has built 205,000 cars.
As for the electrical parts, many of the most critical are sourced by VALEO, for example, the alternator and fuel injection control module. I think there are some by VDO too. Recently I changed the front lights bulbs and they were Phillips. I still have not seen any by the ones you mentioned, but it may use some by Magneti-Marelli.
PS: I forgot to mention that the face-lifted Logan like mine use asymmetrical rear view mirrors. The symmetrical ones were dropped around 2010.
As for the electrical parts, many of the most critical are sourced by VALEO,… I still have not seen any by the ones you mentioned,
Well! That’s what I get for not having owned a Renault in 35 years! Had never heard of Valeo, so looked them up.
Valeo bought out all the companies in my rogue’s gallery. SEV Marchal (1970-1971), Paris-Rhône and Cibié (1977-1978), and Duecllier in 1984. No doubt Valeo discontinued use of the legacy names to divorce the company from their problematic reputations.
I don’t recall any VDO components on my Renault. VDO used to be known for instrumentation. The speedo on my Renault was from Veglia.
Ironic that your headlights are from Phillips as Marchal and Cibié were best known for their high performance lights back in the day. The US still used it’s old sealed beam headlight specification in 1980, so the stock lights on my R5 were from GM’s AC division. The “Black Beauty” package added driving lights, Marchals of course.
Good News!
LOL….you get the feeling they don’t respect Dacia?
Looking at the video, I was immediately struck by how much the Dacia Sandero looks like a first gen Nissan Versa, not surprising as they share a platform.
About 5 years ago Logan was the typical taxi car. Cabbies loved their suspension, interior space and overall reliability. Right now they are overshadowed by the Kia/Hyundai.
PS Is it the Logan/Sandero that make that irrotating “beep-beep” sound when the turn signal is on?
Yes, we have the “beep-beep” on the Logan/Sandero and other Renaults, like the old Clio. By the way, the horn sound on the Logan is weak too, not far from what you can hear from Mr. Hulot’s little car! (Mr. Hulot’s Holiday or Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot). I love Jaques Tati!
As you mentioned the subject, the Logan is very common in Brazil as taxis too. Where do you live?
Russian federation
I am a fan of french cinematography, ill be sure to watch “Les Vacances De M. Hulot”.
Unfortunately he shoot only a few movies, anyway I highly recommended them. Tati was of Russian descent, if I’m not mistaken.
Really nice, I like to read about Russian history and culture, and for sure I’d love to travel there, and I don’t care about no World Cup!
Eliminator, thank you so much for your COAL series here. It has been fascinating. Knowing literally nothing about motoring in Brazil (or shamefully, much about Brazil at all), your posts have caused me to read plenty of information on the internet about Brazil. Even one person in another country (Australia) far from yours now knowing just a bit more about your country can only be a good thing for the world!
I would never have the courage (or ability) to write in any language other than my native tongue (English), so your efforts here doubly appreciated.
Well done!
Thank you!