The Logan MCV’s unashamed target is to offer huge amounts of space for not much cash – and on that basis it hits the mark. Sure, there are compromises to be made – including noisy engines and below-par safety and security test scores – but get beyond those and the MCV is a fine budget choice.
We’d go for the 0.9-litre petrol engine. That does sound small, but it’s got a turbocharger, so is acceptably powerful. It’ll be a better bet than the non-turbo 1.2 petrol and the noisy 1.5-litre diesel.
Entry-level models are seriously sparsely equipped, so we’d recommend mid-range Ambiance trim, which at least offers the barest of essentials and crucially keeps the price low. Higher-spec Laureate versions have much more equipment, and are a good choice if you must have a few toys, but they erode the car’s chief selling point – its bargain price.
Oh, and if you’re wondering what MCV stands for, it’s ‘maximum capacity vehicle’