Buying guide – This is what you need to know about the Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia has been Renault’s budget brand since the beginning of this millennium. First with the Logan sedan, which has since become a cult car. However, Dacia has even more to offer. It surprises friend and foe with the Duster and the Maximum Capacity Vehicle or the Logan MCV, a seven-seater station wagon with ‘barn doors’ à la Mini Clubman for the price of a Toyota Aygo. The first generation from 2009 is available in its cheapest form for just under 10 grand. Even Dacia can’t sustain that for long. The second model from 2013 transforms into a regular station wagon and now costs €11,590. That’s still cheap. Subsequently, the range gradually expands to include the Duster, Lodgy, Dokker and Sandero. All models are based on one idea: a lot of car for less money than the competition.

A Dacia is always based on Renault technology and runs off the production line in Romania and in Tangier, Morocco. Because diesels have been cornered, Dacia dropped the 90hp 1.5 dCi in 2018 and is concentrating on three-cylinder petrol engines. There is nothing left to choose; what remains is the 0.9 TCe. For the Netherlands, among others, it builds the TCe 90 and TCe 90 Bi-Fuel versions, a popular petrol-lpg combination. There are many trim levels, of which the Ambiance forms the basis. Elementary facilities such as cruise control, an adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable seats, air conditioning, parking sensors and an outside temperature gauge have been deleted on this version. Those who opt for the most expensive Prestige will spoil themselves with these items, supplemented with alloy wheels, steering wheel controls, USB and aux connections and navigation. If you want to take it even higher, go for the Stepway, a Logan MCV with apparent off-road aspirations – albeit without four-wheel drive.

calculate

However basic the Dacias were initially, the brand could not escape with the times. Apart from stricter emission and safety requirements, it now puts more effort into design – until recently led by the Dutchman Laurens van den Acker – but at the same time it pays attention to the costs. There is simply less margin on cars from the lower price regions. Developing and building such a car is only possible with a very strict calculation. Therefore, compare the first generation Logan MCV with the second, which will populate the showrooms from 2013. The first is based on the Logan and has two more (more expensive to produce) opening rear doors. The current one, which is based on the Sandero, has a large tailgate. The first was as a seven-seater, now only five people can fit in it. Anyone who wants to bring the E-team on Saturday with a new Dacia to the football club, these days, has to rely on the Lodgy or the even more no-nonsense Dokker.

Although the current Logan MCV no longer has a third row of seats, there is still plenty of room for the rear passengers. Downsides are only the seat length of the front seats, which is on the short side for tall Dutchmen, and the lack of large compartments and bins, such as a large glove box. The second MCV still offers the largest luggage space per euro in its segment. It is understandable that the price-conscious consumer will find this Dacia an obvious option. Now, after two decades of Dacia, the question is: how is the brand holding up, and in particular the second model range of the Logan MCV?

Technic

This time we get our photo model from Autobedrijf De Groot in Veenendaal: a 0.9 TCe of nine years old with almost 125,000 kilometers of experience. As mentioned, Dacia shares the technology with models from parent company Renault, such as the Clio. This power unit excels in reliability. At most, owners grumble about holding back the engine when the air-conditioning compressor kicks in. It simply eats power and the smaller the engine, the better you feel it. The cruise control gets it from time to time because it can not keep the speed of the car quite constant. Now that we live in the cold period, a relatively common complaint comes to the fore: In cold conditions, moisture can build up in the lower hose of the intercooler. If that freezes, the power source will shut down and in the worst case scenario, it won’t even run at all.

Electrical disturbances are rare. Brake lights sometimes go out due to a blown fuse. Tanger-built MCVs (September 2017 – October 2019) have blocking ignition keys in the lock. A recall has been launched for this. Furthermore, the charge indicator on the battery is more likely to die. The result is that the engine no longer starts because the sensor no longer functions. Some owners have found a blown brake light fuse and more frequently the ‘check engine’ light comes on as a result of a loose plug behind the ignition.

Body

There is a six-year body warranty on a Dacia, slightly shorter than the average. The rust devil gnawed on early Dacias, but this MCV has made short work of that. Some owners criticize the paint quality; they report a rapidly wearing top layer. Do they brush their MCV so exhaustively? On the bridge at De Groot we only notice the beginnings of rust on the welds of the wishbones. Furthermore, such a nine-year-old Logan MCV is holding up very well. At most, we suspect the exhaust pipe, which has been damaged beyond average. It will not last a car life. You don’t have to, because it’s a replacement part.

A tour of the car does not reveal any shocking things either. Most striking is the sill, which consists of different parts and is attached with little accuracy at the height of the rear door. Normally, such a side wall consists of a completely pressed piece. Here you notice the savings and sharp calculation: the Dokker and the Lodgy use the same parts.

Interior

First the complaints from users: the side windows do not open and close electrically, a self-dimming mirror is missing, the navigation is slow, there is no automatic lighting and also an electric handbrake, automatic air conditioning, folding mirrors and extensive steering wheel adjustment are missing. Is that bad? For some it is, for others it can be missed like a toothache. If you can accuse the Logan MCV of a low quality level, it concerns the interior. And especially the use of materials. Here you feel the hand of the miserly bookkeeper. Your feet are on carpet that curls too easily and the cheap plastics on the door panels get scratched, so to speak, if you look at them too long.

The art of omitting insulating material weighs down the weight, but also weighs on the hearing. The Dacia is already noisy from 80 km/h. Take this especially with you during the test drive. Step on the accelerator and hear the buzzing sounds in the spacious interior, which turns out to be a sound box. And also take in the tire noises. You do not necessarily have to leave the car in front of it, but do take it into account in your decision to sign the purchase contract. For the snobbish E-pupil, this Logan MCV may not be the hippest car, but it’s quite good in it together with its fellow sufferers. You can immediately teach them what cranking means: after all, the rear side windows have no electric operation. But it can hardly break. And the sports bags can be taken along without any problems. Just like a whole camping equipment. Then immediately put an extra mat on the floor if you like the carpet, because the bookkeeper has also saved money there.

Conclusion

Members early Dacia’s under rust and other inconvenience, today the brand is beyond all doubt. Dacia is for those who pay attention to the little ones. It suits consumers who would rather spend their money on an expensive bottle of wine than on image. In that respect, Dacia is completely classless, unpretentious and averse to snobbery – like a Skoda or Lada once was. Well, you can’t live on pretensions, but all the more so on a satisfied clientele. At a time when everything revolves around image and boasting, a Dacia is a welcome, sympathetic change. This Logan MCV proves that under the direction of Renault, it prefers to spend money on quality that really matters.

Looking for a second generation Dacia Logan MCV? View the offer here.