Dacia Logan MCV Estate review

Another of the Logan MCV’s trump cards. It costs thousands less than rival small estates, especially if you go for a lower- or medium-range version. Not only that, but relatively strong resale values mean you won’t lose much in depreciation when you sell the car on. Its engines aren’t quite as economical as those in its (few) direct rivals, but your bills should still be small. Insurance and company car tax costs are also cheap.

The Logan MCV was awarded just three stars overall in its Euro NCAP crash test in 2014, with a particularly poor rating for adult occupants. Every version also gets only front and side airbags; curtain ’bags are not available, even as an option. Security experts Thatcham awarded the car four out of five for resisting being stolen, and just two out of five for resisting being broken into. You have to pay extra for an alarm, too.

Entry-level Access cars get doors and a steering wheel but little else. We’d go for mid-range Ambiance trim, which has the barest of bare essentials such as electric front windows, a radio/CD player and Bluetooth. Range-topping Laureate versions are worth looking at too, and are the only choice if you want air-con – they also come with alloy wheels and electrically adjustable door mirrors – but they’re priced a little too close to more capable rival small estates.