Renault Logan 2012 Review

Quick Review

The Renault Logan is a small family car. For 2012, there have been no substantial model changes.

The Renault Logan is affordable and has a respectable amount of space in the five-seater cabin for a small car. The ride and handling are reasonably good, beating some of the Logan's rivals. On the minus side, the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine can only deliver a limited amount of power. The fuel economy is not great and the safety features are limited. The hard plastics used in the cabin give it a cheap feel. With all these flaws, the Logan should actually be cheaper.

Another subcompact, the Chevrolet Aveo, has slightly better handling than the Renault Logan. It has similarly respectable interior volume, but even less power. The Aveo looks a little nicer inside and out, but also has a higher price. The Toyota Yaris a better quality vehicle generally -- but again, it's more expensive and still underpowered. The Kia Rio has nicer styling than the Logan and a less cheap-feeling cabin, but again, it's more expensive. All of these rivals offer better fuel economy than the Renault Logan.

The Logan makes an acceptable entry-level small family car for the shopper on a budget.

The Renault Logan is a surprisingly pleasant drive for a low-end small car. It's more agile and less woefully underpowered than many of its rivals. The suspension is precisely tuned and there's little bouncing or body roll on corners. It's a comfortable ride with moderate wind and engine noise.