Renault's looking to extend its good run in India and up for launch in 2015 is the Lodgy MPV. We got a chance to drive it and here's what we think.
It’s light and easy to drive, though. The steering does not have too much feel, but it is quite accurate, so driving this ‘mini bus’ is pretty easy. Then the clutch is light and gears slot in without complaint. It is reasonably stable at speed as well and also turns without too much fuss into corners, which makes it quite friendly to drive. Go a bit faster around corners, however, and there is a considerable amount of body roll. This is not a car you want to hustle, but it doesn’t intimidate you, and that’s exactly what is needed.
The Lodgy’s greatest strength, however, is the space on the inside. There’s ample room in the cabin for even large passengers and space in the first two rows is all but unrivalled. Even tall passengers can stretch out and be comfortable on these massive seats. The third row has a surprising amount of room as well, and it’s relatively easy to access.
Dacia is a low-cost brand, and that means luxury takes a back seat. Still, for India, it is likely to receive a reworked cabin with better materials and more features such as rear air-con vents. The fit and finish of the car we are driving is similar to that of the Duster. The buttons and switches feel durable and hard-wearing. The dash is pleasing to look at and Dacia has equipped it with an interesting touchscreen on the centre console.