In every sense, the Renault Logan has become a breakthrough model for the French brand on the Russian market. It is loved for its unpretentiousness, indestructible suspension, reliability, and relatively low cost. However, now Logan has become even more practical. Renault has presented its off-road version, the Stepway. Moreover, Logan now has a CVT. The “Southern Automobile” went to Montenegro to test the new model’s durability.
As always happens, due to various sanctions, economic problems, political issues, and other difficulties, most new automobiles arrive in Russia with a significant delay. A similar situation occurred with the Logan/Sandero Stepway family. The updated cross-hatchback and cross-sedan arrived in our country two years later than it appeared in the same Eastern European countries. But, albeit with a delay, the off-road Logan has finally arrived.
Many were surprised by the arrival of a CVT version of the Logan/Sandero Stepway series, available in the top-of-the-line City trim. Essentially, by introducing this family update, Renault offered Russian buyers a wide range of Logan options to suit every budget. If you don’t have the cash, get a basic Logan or Sandero with a manual transmission; if you don’t want to look like a taxi driver, go for the Stepway version, and even the City. These offer increased ground clearance, a unique two-tone wheel design, and an off-road body kit. And on the outskirts of the city, it’s more comfortable to cruise with the CVT rather than yank the handlebars. But first things first.
A few modifications and you get an SUV
By and large, the transformation of the civilian Logan into the Stepway version cost Renault engineers minimal effort. The regular Logan was equipped with longer springs and different shock absorbers – the ground clearance immediately increased to a crossover 195 millimeters, against 172 mm for the regular one. Further, plastic overlays were installed on the arches and sills around the body, and the bumpers received spectacular silver overlays.
A couple more bright accents in the appearance of the Logan/Sandero Stepway are the chrome-framed fog light frames and the LED strip of daytime running lights, which were not there before. The picture is crowned by the two-tone design of the wheel rims, which are made in the style of pseudo-casting. The City version can be distinguished by its black-painted rearview mirror housings and barely noticeable lettering on the door pillars.
However, all-wheel drive is not and will not be available, as that would make the Logan too expensive and would also compete with the Duster.
Some might think that Renault decided to create the Logan Stepway sedan-crossover in imitation of AvtoVAZ and its Vesta Cross, but this is definitely not the case. Rather, the domestic auto giant stole the idea from the French. However, in Europe, the Logan Stepway has been sold under the Dacia brand as a station wagon since last year, while in Russia they decided to sell the sedan. In my opinion, the Stepway version is a kind of top-of-the-line or even luxury version of the Logan. Even using the Sandero hatchback as an example, the Stepway version sells better than the standard one.
Interior
The fact that the Logan/Sandero belongs to the top segment can be distinguished not only on the outside, but also on the inside. The Stepway name is embroidered on the seatbacks, and the seats themselves are upholstered in wear-resistant fabric. The crossover version received an improved three-spoke multi-wheel, which is covered with leather that is pleasant to the touch.
However, the steering column is only adjustable for height. The MediaNav multimedia system with navigation is simple and easy to use, its menu is not overloaded with unnecessary functions. The seven-inch display doesn’t offer the brightest colors, but it’s worth remembering that this is a budget car. Incidentally, the head unit supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another new feature, more functional than stylistic, is that the gas tank can now be opened from inside the car.
Let’s go
As for the engine lineup, it hasn’t changed. All engines are gasoline with a displacement of 1.6 liters. The first two are eight-valve and sixteen-valve, producing 82 and 102 horsepower. But the most interesting is the 113-horsepower Nissan engine. It is paired with the X-tronic CVT, already familiar from the Kaptur crossover. But in the case of the Logan, this is new. Previously, a CVT was not installed on the Logan/Sandero models. The car with the CVT left mixed feelings.
As for driving in a straight line and in the city, the X-tronic is excellent, but as soon as you hit a mountain road, the car barely pulls, requiring you to constantly switch to manual mode and rev the engine. You have to floor the gas pedal to get the car to accelerate, but the engine starts to roar loudly. The CVT imitates the operation of a classic automatic, but it still lacks the dynamics in the mountains. However, most Stepway series buyers with a CVT are primarily city dwellers and will clearly not be driving on mountain trails, and this transmission can save significant fuel. Apparently, it’s no coincidence that only the City versions are equipped with a CVT—the engineers knew their target audience from the start.
The car with a four-speed automatic transmission doesn’t deliver the fastest performance either; apparently, they decided to switch those who don’t like fiddling with the stick to a CVT. The price difference between the CVT and the automatic is 35,000. It may not seem like much, but in the budget segment, that’s a significant amount.
Personally, I liked the Logan Stepway version with a five-speed manual the most. You confidently control the engine’s torque, engaging the right gear and setting the optimal dynamics.
As for the suspension, the car has no equal in its class. It pleases with its energy absorption and smooth ride. The time-tested design—a beam at the rear and MacPherson struts at the front—has proven its reliability and efficiency. You can pound potholed asphalt at speeds approaching 100 km/h and still feel quite comfortable inside.
Prices
Currently, the Logan Stepway sedan is priced even lower than the Sandero Stepway hatchback at official dealers. In the Life trim, the Sandero hatchback starts at 709,990 rubles, while the Logan costs 662,000 rubles. With absolutely identical equipment levels, the difference is almost 50,000 rubles. The Stepway Life City versions with a CVT start at 787,990 rubles, and the Logan Stepway City at 814,999 rubles. The top-of-the-line Sandero Stepway Drive City costs 896,990 rubles, while the Logan Stepway Drive City sedan costs 857,990 rubles. Renault predicts that the Logan Stepway will account for approximately a third of all Logan sales as the second-generation Logan/Sandero ages. At the same time, the version with a CVT will account for 10% of sales of all Logan.
