Today, any car enthusiast can purchase new versions of Priora or Logan cars at dealership centers in our country, so it would be useful to compare the capabilities, comfort and equipment of these cars in order to find out exactly which car is better - Logan or, perhaps, the domestic Priora. Let us immediately note that both of these budget vehicles, similar in characteristics and price, are assembled in Russia, although, of course, the concept and culture of these cars are completely different. Let's figure out which is better, Priora or Logan?
Initially, this Renault model was designed as a taxi car, and the French did it very successfully - a spacious interior with a voluminous trunk, an excellent suspension, adapted for use on poor roads, which earned the title “indestructible”, is combined in Logan with disgusting hard plastic interior and foreign noises, squeaks when driving.
Compare engines of domestic cars and foreign cars
The engine in the most budget version of the first Logan is 1.4 liters, eight-valve with a capacity of 75 hp. With. – in terms of torque, it’s not much better than the old VAZ “classic”. Of course, there is enough power for a quiet ride, but staying ahead of passing cars on the highway with such an engine is not such a simple matter.
Economy is also not in Renault's favor. The engine of the previous generation model is 1.4-liter with a power of 75 hp. pp., consumes 7 liters of fuel on average. Logan has approximately the same figure with a 4-speed automatic transmission, but with a 16-valve 1.6-liter engine producing 103 hp. With. In the combined cycle, its consumption is 7.1 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
Second-generation Logan models are available only with manual transmission; only two engines are expected for them:
- 82-horsepower eight-valve engine.
- 102-horsepower sixteen-valve engine.
Their fuel consumption is approximately the same - about 7.1-7.2 liters per 100 km.
The following engines are offered for Priora:
- 87 l. s., 1.6 l, 8-valve.
- 98 l. s., 1.6 l, 16-valve.
- New 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter with dynamic supercharging.
Their fuel consumption figures are similar, but the engines of domestic cars are more powerful, and they also have better torque.
Despite this, unlike the same Priora, the old Logan can be officially filled with 92-octane gasoline, while for modern Lada cars the manufacturer recommends using only 95-octane gasoline. And the “French” will be able to go further at one gas station - after all, 50 liters of gasoline can be poured into its fuel tank, unlike the Lada, whose tank volume is only 43 liters.
The main thing in a car is the engine
Comparing Logan and Priora in terms of technical characteristics, it should be noted that this is precisely the case when power is far from the most important criterion. Logan has a stronger motor. This is a 16-valve unit with a capacity of 102 hp. With. It is 4 units more powerful than the engine installed in the Priora. But in reality, this advantage of Logan is doubtful, because in reality it adds additional kilograms to the car. In addition, the motor is used at full power very rarely.
Priora has under the hood
Although Renault Logan lovers have a choice: the range of engines is quite wide. For example, it could be a 1.4-liter engine with a power of 75 hp. With. Another option: a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 87 hp. These are 8-valve injection-type units. But the transmission is the same for all – 5-speed manual. It must be remembered that the engines installed on Renault Logan and Priora allow you to save on vehicle tax. But for those who still choose power and strength, the 2013 Priora with an engine with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 106 hp is suitable. With.
If the car is used primarily in an urban environment, it does not need a powerful engine.
The technical characteristics of other components and parts are no less important. In this matter, Renault adheres to the criterion: everything simple is reliable. Therefore, the exhaust pipe has one element, and the fuel tank has a removable filter. By the way, the Logan model has absorbed all the best from other cars. So, the rear suspension is borrowed from Renault Modus, and the heating system is also from it. Clio gave Renault Logan most of its parts:
- engine;
- front suspension;
- rear brake;
- door handles;
- steering.
Lada Priora is characterized by high reliability of the braking system due to the use of a vacuum brake booster. The stability of the car is given by the front and rear struts, which are selected by the manufacturer in accordance with the characteristic features of the shock absorbers. The gearbox is reinforced with sealed bearings for long service life.
Adaptation to domestic conditions
For driving on Russian roads, the “French” is adapted in approximately the same way as a VAZ car, although there are differences. We have already noted the excellent suspension and generally good chassis of the French car. Besides, what can we hide - Prior’s reliability is still lower than Loganov’s. According to statistics, the latter visit car services approximately 30% less often. Although, of course, modern VAZ products are becoming better and more reliable - many Priors today run 200 thousand km or more without serious breakdowns.
Regarding the suitability for driving on bad roads, the following factors can be listed in favor of the Lada:
- higher ground clearance - 165 mm versus 155 for Renault,
- shortened wheelbase - 2492 mm, unlike 2634 mm for Logan.
There are differences in the volume of the interior and trunk of cars. Logan has a clear lead here - the latter has a more spacious interior, and a larger trunk - 510 liters versus 430 for the Lada.
However, for some reason the previous generation of the French car was deprived of such a design solution as a folding rear seat, so there was no additional opportunity to increase the trunk volume in Logan, unlike the Priora. Nevertheless, in the updated 2014 model, the wishes of car owners were taken into account, and the rear seat now folds, further increasing the volume of the luggage compartment.
Chassis
As already mentioned, Renault carefully prepared for driving on Russian (and not only) roads, which are not of particular quality.
Excellent suspension and wheelbase, in general, create an aura of “indestructibility” for the car. Whatever one may say, this is almost 100% true! Logan owners quite rarely turn to car repair shops with similar problems with the chassis. The same cannot be said about the owners of Prior. Here the reliability is lower, and sometimes the assembly of the car “pleases” with traditional VAZ “quality”: it needs to be tightened here, screwed here - and this is on a new, just purchased car! But the overall impression of the Priora chassis is still not bad. It is interesting that, according to statistics, the Priora runs more than 100-150 thousand km without serious breakdowns, and this, you see, is not such a bad indicator as for a VAZ.
As for the ground clearance of the represented rivals: the Lada has more – 165 mm versus 155 for the Logan. The Lada has a shorter wheelbase: 2492 mm versus the Renault 2634.
Interior and trunk volume:
Renault Logan is the undisputed leader here. Trunk – 510 liters. The Priora has 430. And the Frenchman’s interior is more spacious, it’s not for nothing that it was developed for a taxi. As for the design disadvantages: the first Renault Logan did not have the ability to increase trunk volume by folding the rear sofas. Priora has the opportunity. However, the French also approached the matter with due attention: in the 2014 model, the wishes of owners who want to transport something large were taken into account, and the seats became completely foldable. Thus, making it possible to significantly increase space when transporting luggage or cargo.
Exterior and interior of domestic and foreign classmates
Next, we can talk about an equally important feature of cars for many motorists - appearance. Of course, both of these models are budget ones. Previous generations of both Priors and Renaults today look frankly pathetic, one is no better than the other. The first differs little from the archaic VAZ “ten”; the exterior of the “Frenchman” has also not gone very far - its appearance is simple, angular and completely devoid of frills.
The updated models look better - Logan has new optics, stamping, in addition, the radiator grille has become larger, and the bumper has also changed. All this made the updated model look similar from the front to other modern and more expensive Renault models, for example, Megan and Sandero. The VAZ car has a new false radiator grille, a lower air intake grille, DRLs built into the headlights, a new rear bumper, and LEDs in the taillights. But in general, in terms of design, it is also very close from the previous generation.
In terms of interior, none of the cars stands out in anything special, although everything looks quite nice. At first glance, the new Priora has a rather high-quality soft plastic instrument panel that catches your eye. At the same time, even the new generation of Logan can offer the driver only hard plastic throughout the cabin. But at the same time, its new seats, according to the owners, have become somewhat more comfortable.
About the exterior and interior of rivals
Front brake pads for Renault Duster 4x4
Next, you can move on to the features of cars that are not so significant for domestic owners-innovators, such as the appearance and interior decoration. Let us remind you that both models are “rotating” in the budget segment. The previous generations of both cars look very poor.
If we compare, in the next generations manufacturers worked hard to give their offspring more attractive exteriors and interiors. Logan has acquired new optics, stampings on body panels, an enlarged front grille, and a modified bumper.
Priora also acquired an updated radiator grille, DRLs integrated into the head optics, and LED rear lighting components.
Regarding the interior, we note that both Lada Priora and Renault Logan cars have little to distinguish them from many of their competitors. In terms of quality indicators of the finishing material, Priora was ahead, since the plastic in the cabin is softer and tactilely pleasant than in Logan. But the chairs, as many owners note, are more comfortable in the French bestseller. We continue the comparison of LADA Priora or Renault Logan.
Options are almost the same
The starting price of the lowest configuration Priora is almost 40-50 thousand cheaper, and the difference increases even more when purchasing the necessary “add-ons”, because the basic configuration of the cars is rather poorly equipped. In both cases, motorists are offered the following options:
- electric windows for the front seats,
- driver airbag,
- Daytime Running Lights.
But for additional money, the new Renault Logan can be equipped with a “winter” package, including filament heated windshield, and in addition:
- climate control,
- anti-lock system,
- rear parking sensors,
- stabilization system,
- multimedia system with the ability to pair it with a mobile phone.
The Lada is also equipped with all these options, that is, everything that until recently could not be imagined on a domestic car. What is it worth, for example, just the opportunity to additionally equip an AvtoVAZ car with side airbags or cruise control. That is, the equipment of a modern VAZ car may be even better than that of another foreign car.
There is also a multimedia system, which, however, does not feature a large number of functions, but reliably performs the tasks of playing music and video, radio, dialing a telephone number, etc. Depending on the configuration, the motorist has access to electric heated exterior mirrors and a safe parking system , automatic control of low beam headlights and windshield wipers. A climate system, heated front seats, cruise control, and other additional equally useful options are also available.
What should you choose in the end?
Concluding this review comparison, it should be noted that, of course, in terms of quality, the European competitor of AvtoVAZ assembles more reliable cars, their service is somewhat better than that of P. But with equal configurations, new VAZ cars are much cheaper than Logan, servicing them is not so expensive, And sometimes it’s easier to carry out minor repairs on these cars yourself in the garage.
In a word, in the minimum configuration both cars look rather poor - a minimum of options and capabilities. However, for additional money, both Renault Logan and Priora can be equipped with anything. The reliability of the domestic car still causes some concern, however, its cost is significantly less than that of the Renault model. In terms of appearance and level of comfort, many drivers prefer a domestic car, although Logan is more functional - there is more space in the cabin, and the trunk is almost the most spacious in the class.
Therefore, it is probably impossible to unequivocally answer the question regarding which car is better. It all depends on the driver’s preferences and whether this time he can overcome his, perhaps, distrustful and sometimes disdainful attitude towards AvtoVAZ products and believe that the modern Priora is a high-quality budget car that can compete on equal terms with European models.
A start
Both presented cars began their production quite a long time ago. Since the start date of production of both Logan and Priora was set approximately ten years ago, it would be foolish to expect special delights from the first generation car in terms of design, options or technical and dynamic characteristics.
In order to unambiguously decide which of the two presented competitors is better and who should be chosen, Priora or Logan, it is worth comparing the appearance of one car against the other. Carrying out a similar experiment and carefully examining the design solutions of the exterior, one and the same detail strikes you: the appearance of the car is characterized by maximum simplicity.
The Lada almost completely repeats the appearance of the VAZ of the tenth family, which has been known for almost two decades, and Logan unpleasantly surprises with the angularity of its shape, the cheapness of the materials used and its homeliness.
Moving on to the interior, the eye immediately falls on the low quality of finishing materials. Looking at the Lada, it immediately becomes clear that the finishing materials used are similar to those used in the legendary “ten”. For Logan, materials of slightly higher quality are used.
Looking at the Frenchman's technical characteristics card, the following becomes clear. The manufacturer clearly decided that it is best to focus on efficiency: the model’s “arsenal” has only three units with a volume of 1.4 and 1.6 liters and a power of 75, 82 and 102 horsepower. However, the domestic development is even the leader here, since with equal volumes it can offer 87 and 106 horsepower. True, the Frenchman is still somewhat more economical, which is a good trump card against the AvtoVAZ product.
