Jan 09, 2008 07:28 PM
5926 Views
I got a chance to test drive this beauty(or ugly duckling?) today.
These are my observations after taking a test drive of Logan 1.6 GLS which is the highest petrol version available.
Things that impressed me:
Space is huge. Specially the boot space. People who require frequent airport or rail station trips should look for this car.
The only other car in this price range that can match the boot space is Tata Marina.
Passenger space is also huge. Only cars in Camry/Accord range has similar passenger space.
Suspension is better than most of the cars. That makes the ride quality pleasing and relaxing.
Ride quality is class above entry level sedans. It can handle pot-holed roads with ease that will put many SUVs to shame.
Build quality is rock solid. External body is muscular. Can match sumos and ambys on road.
Car is very stable at high speeds, althogh I havent experimented with understeering and oversteering limits.
So, unless you are competing in a rally, you should be pleased with the stability.
Gear shift is excellent. As good as my Zen. Better than many other cars available at same or higher price range.
Interiors: Some people say it looks cheap, but frankly I found them quite good with beidge all over the place.
Of course one should not expect them to match a 9 lacs+ car. But definitely better than Icon/Accesnt/Esteem.
Even City has become old now. This was far more refreshing.
Lots of goodies like airbags, courtsey delay lights, glove box lights, distance to empty indicators, rear wiper/defogger, etc.
Last but not the least: Value for money - With discounts the dealer offered me a price of under 6 lacs on road.
You can't expect more at this price.
Things I did not bother about:
Engine noise is so so. I would not say its a quiet engine. Refinement is also average. Definitely not in the league of Hondas/Toyotas
Overall, nothing impressive but nothing to get irritated about.
Placement of power window switches. Although not placed in door handles, I did not find them difficult to operate at all while driving. Foot pedals are well placed. Some have complained about less space between clutch and cetral console, but I never faced any problem with that.(I am only 5'5)
AC, music and other controls are located in a centrol console that looks a bit vague.
It has a neat dashboard which is informative, with average looks. The rpm indicator is in multiples of 10(like 10, 20, 30 . so on) x 100. One can get confused with speedometer and tacometer.
Usually 1000 is the multiplying factor.
Brakes are good, but not outstanding. Will serve your purpose but wont work like miracle.
Things that I am a little worried about
Pickup is low. That should be fine if it gives an impressive mileage(like honda city, which compromises pickup with mileage)
I am ready to sacrifice the pickup but only if this car can give at least 13 Km/ltre on city with AC on.
Indicator lights are not showing left/right dirctions. Thats really strange.
After sales service is unknown. No history record available. Renault is new in India and Mahindra has never released a sedan in the past.
Looks: If you have to impress your friends and relatives with looks, then no - there is no'love at first sight' factor.
But once you get them inside, they will forget all about the repulsive shapes of the exterior,
couched into the luxury of the backseat and smooth ride.
Compared to:
SX4 - Much more expensive, but more exciting to drive. Passenger confort is less. Better service network.
Accent/City/Icon/Esteem/Indigo - These are all too old. Their life expectancy is questionable.
Feista - Much like SX4, expensive with poor service. But better driving dynamics
Aveo - Similar car with better looks but less space. Slightly expensive.
Marina - Bad looks, but otherwise a good spacious car.
Conclusion:
With less than 6 lacs for the largest sedan - you really can't go wrong with it. Nothing to loose.
Or may be just play the waiting game and see how many Logans are seen on roads in the next few months.
