Before buying a budget car, many car enthusiasts have a dilemma - which is better: Renault Logan or Lada Granta. The first car is produced by a French concern, and the second is a representative of the domestic automobile industry. Both models do not stand out for their special dynamic performance or luxury, but they fully justify being in their price segment.
Comparative characteristics of Renault Logan and Lada Granta cars
The presentation of the Lada Grant took place in the summer of 2011 as part of AvtoVAZ’s own exhibition in Moscow. A few months later, the car entered the assembly line, becoming a logical continuation for the following outdated models:
- Samara;
- Kalina;
- 2107.
Renault Logan is a representative of the B-segment and is produced on a front-wheel drive platform.
The car is aimed at a wide audience of buyers, as it is inexpensive and offers extensive opportunities for car enthusiasts.
Manufacturers assemble cars in Russia, which determines their low cost and low maintenance.
Owner reviews
Based on the rating of the website cars.mail.ru, the cars received the following average rating:
- Renault Logan 2 - 4.2 points out of 5
- Lada Granta sedan - 3.91 points out of 5
- Lada Granta liftback - 3.8 points out of 5
Body and aerodynamics
In 2014, the first car with a liftback body on the Russian market rolled off the AvtoVAZ assembly line. This version has an increased trunk volume, like in a sedan, but has a 5-door layout. This is an important feature that can come in handy when transporting large items. Perhaps the domestic auto industry was not ready for such a new product, but it soon received many positive comments and reviews from owners. The streamlined body looks stylish and also gives the car improved aerodynamic properties.
The French concern showed an almost identical model, but with a more improved external design. Logan's body has a 4-door layout and is a sedan. The choice between Lada Granta or Renault Logan is a matter of taste, since the cars largely repeat each other.
Let's sum it up
Now we can say a few final words regarding what to choose when the Renault Logan and Lada Granta cars are standing in front of you.
Logan has been present on the Russian market for more than 10 years. This is a decent amount of time for consumers to note all the strengths and weaknesses of the car. But this is objectively not enough to decide what to buy for yourself - Logan or Granta. After all, the same conclusions are needed regarding the Russian opponent. And then it will become clearer whether to buy a Frenchman or support the domestic auto industry.
If you need a work car for a reliable and comfortable ride, it is better to give preference to the Renault Logan. When you properly care for it and operate it correctly, major repairs will be required at least after 300 thousand kilometers. There are examples when Logan passed all 500 thousand. Yes, conclusions are drawn largely based on the history of the first generation. But the second generation retained the main strong qualities of its predecessor, plus in some places it became better.
Renault Logan does not use complex designs, multi-level schemes or additional expensive parts. All this has a positive effect on the service life of the machine. Even if something in Logan breaks, it will be quite cheap to restore, repair or replace it.
Currently, Logan is considered the most reliable car in the budget segment. Therefore, many people do not even have doubts about what is better to buy - Logan, Granta or some other car. In their understanding, you cannot buy anything better for that kind of money than the French model. Logan is cheap, but built to last. Yes, there are minor assembly flaws, but this does not spoil the overall impression of the car.
In defense of the Lada Granta, we can say that for the Russian auto industry it is a kind of breakthrough, an exit to a higher quality level. The demand for the model is largely due to its affordable price, which is lower than that of its competitor. Plus, there is a solid luggage compartment, a good level of comfort in the interior and a nice design. Consumer expectations regarding accessible service were confirmed.
It’s not for nothing that Granta is actively used as a first car for beginners, purchased for taxi services and used as a car for work, trips to the country, fishing, etc. Reliability and comfort are at a decent level, and fuel consumption is also low.
Appearance (design)
There are both similarities and differences in the design of the exterior and interior of the models under consideration. The key features that are observed in both cars are conciseness and minimalism.
Interior
The interior of the domestic liftback is decorated with cheap and hard plastic, which is decorated with silver inserts. Despite the 5-seater design, the car can comfortably accommodate only 4 adults. There is not enough space on the rear bench to seat 3 tall people, as they will feel discomfort due to the lack of knee and headroom. The second row of seats itself is quite comfortable and ergonomic.
The luggage compartment volume is 480 liters, which is a fairly good indicator for a subcompact vehicle.
If you fold the back row, you get an almost flat floor.
The interior of the updated Logan looks more stylish than the exterior. The interior features interesting solutions, original decorative details and high-quality finishes. In terms of ergonomics, the interior of the sedan raises no complaints. All controls have a well-thought-out placement and are in their places. The center console is made in a minimalist style, but it can accommodate a 7-inch touch screen.
The finishing materials in the Logan's interior are not much more expensive than those in the Greta, but they are more pleasant to the touch. The front row of seats has lateral support and reinforced lumbar support. By default, flexible adjustments and heating are provided. The rear sofa is adapted to seat 3 adults.
Exterior
During the restyling, the Lada Granta went through several changes in the exterior design. The front projection looks stylish and original. The exterior has adjusted proportions, and there is no imbalance between different parts of the body.
At the front there is an X-shaped concept from the Tolyatti automobile plant. The car has slanted optics, a massive logo and chrome inserts.
Grant's exterior is adapted for a young audience. As for the French sedan, it looks more restrained and utilitarian. But during the change of generations, the body design was improved, and the number of reasons for criticism was reduced.
From a profile view, Logan has a classic 3-dimensional design. The roofline is almost flat, and the wheel arches are flared. The rear pillar looks massive.
Comfort of cars
Renault Logan has a digital dashboard with touch controls. Even in the basic configuration, the cabin is equipped with a climate control system that provides maximum comfort when driving in hot weather.
In Grant, air conditioning is offered as an option at an additional cost. Moreover, both models have running lights with high-quality equipment.
The Renault development is equipped with electric windows for all 4 doors. In the AvtoVAZ model, these mechanisms are installed only at the front.
Russian designers decided to abandon the standard air conditioning, but provided an air purification filter through the ventilation holes.
Gearboxes
The most common transmissions in Grant are the mechanical 2180 series, as well as the modernized 2181. In the first case, we are dealing with an outdated gearbox driven by traction: it constantly howls, gears shift poorly and with a crunch. The second has a cable-type drive, which improves shifting.
All problems associated with Granta manual transmissions have long been studied. Gears, couplings and synchronizers in initial gears are unique consumables. When replacing, it is better to immediately replace the release bearing in the clutch and fill it with imported synthetic oil, which will make it easier to engage gears in winter.
To make driving a Grant more comfortable, you can give preference to the Japanese transmission: although it is also outdated, it is extremely reliable. The JF414E boxes installed on the Granta can be found on various Nissan models. Its service life is at least 150 thousand kilometers, the oil is changed every 70 thousand. Not many modifications with an automatic transmission were sold, not all cars reached this mileage, and if a malfunction was detected, AvtoVAZ replaced the entire transmission, so it is difficult to find statistics on them as such. The main thing is to monitor the oil level, prevent both overheating and underheating of the box, and also take care of the low-placed crankcase, which is easy to damage on our roads.
Technical features and equipment
The overall dimensions of the Grant allow it to be classified as a subcompact car according to the European classification. It has the following parameters:
- length – 4260 mm;
- width – 1700 mm;
- height – 1500 mm;
- wheelbase - 2476 mm.
Ground clearance is 180 mm.
Logan's dimensions look like this:
- Length – 4346 mm.
- Width – 1733 mm.
- Height – 1517 mm.
- Wheelbase – 2634 mm.
- Ground clearance height – 155 mm.
Safety
During test drives, the cars demonstrated good reliability and safety indicators. Renault Logan is offered in several trim levels, but all of them have a wide range of safety equipment and driver assistance assistants. The interior is equipped with high-quality side and front airbags, 3-point seat belts in the front and electronic systems that control the vehicle's stability on the road. Most of the body is made of high-strength steel.
Lada Granta is inferior in safety to its French opponent.
Its main disadvantage is the inability to pass European and international crash tests, including Euro NCAP.
There are no special improvements compared to the previous release. However, the car has airbags, an impact-resistant frame and electronic assistants.
Motors
The Russian car is offered with 3 types of naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines. Each unit has an in-line layout and a volume of 1.6 liters.
The base engine has 8 valves and generates 87 hp. With. power with a thrust of 140 Nm. The next engine in the hierarchy is equipped with a 16-valve platform and produces 98 hp. With. with a torque of 145 Nm. The most powerful power unit with 16 valves and 106 hp. With. power demonstrates a rotational potential of 148 Nm.
On the Russian market, the French car will be available with 3 engines. As with the Lada Granta, they have an identical volume of 1.6 liters and 4 cylinders. The standard 8-valve engine has a power of 82 hp. With. and torque 134 Nm. The figures for an average installation with 16 valves are 102 liters. With. and 145 Nm of thrust. The top representative of the line generates 113 hp. With. power 152 Nm of torque.
Suspension and steering wheel
Lada Granta is produced on a front-wheel drive platform and has a transverse engine. At the front there is a spring design with McPherson struts and anti-roll bars. A semi-independent spring-lever type design is installed at the rear.
The chassis and steering are adapted to Russian operating conditions. They show their strengths during sudden acceleration or maneuvers. When maintaining speed within 2500–3000, the car will behave stably and predictably.
The braking system is distinguished by its quick response to pedal pressure.
Renault Logan also has front-wheel drive and an identical suspension design. Stability when accelerating is at a high level. This also applies to the responsiveness of the brake mechanisms. In this case, the suspension is considered softer.
Behavior on the road
Most motorists expect their car to run smoothly in all conditions. Such results depend on the design features of the suspension and steering. The machines in question are characterized by stability on any type of road surface and optimal maneuverability. They are suitable for both city use and long driving on rough terrain with various obstacles.
Cost and options
Lada Granta is offered in the following trim levels:
| Version | Price in rubles | Peculiarities |
| Basic version | 430 000 | GLONASS, driver airbag, 13-inch wheel size, ABD, EBD |
| Premium option | RUB 588,800 | 4-speed automatic transmission, 16-valve 1.6-liter engine, air conditioning, on-board computer |
The cost of the new Logan starts from 554,000 rubles. But in the initial configuration the car does not have a climate center and an automatic transmission. The next version of Life can be purchased for RUB 700,000, i.e. for 100,000 rubles. more expensive than the premium edition of Granta. The maximum package costs about 740 thousand rubles. It offers an expanded range of body and interior colors, an on-board computer and other options.
Summary
Price, price and price again is the main weapon with which the Lada Granta 2021 confidently defeats its rival. Of course, the Renault Logan 2021 is supported by its reputation as a reliable car, more comfortable placement inside due to its advantage in length, configuration variability with additional options and packages, as well as better automatic transmission dynamics. But none of the above will fundamentally change the current balance of power in this price segment. Direct confirmation of this is the statistics on the sale of new passenger cars in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year. According to the results of the first quarter, Lada Granta took first place, overtaking Vesta, and showed an increase in sales by 39%, while Renault Logan began to be purchased only 11% better.
