Hi James,

The Renault Fluence has some good points, such as its big boot and relatively spacious interior. It is also well-priced new and comes with loads of equipment. The diesel engine is also a good one, returning decent economy with acceptable performance.

However, on balance, there are much better cars on the market. Even Renault's own Megane feels of higher quality and is better to drive.

If you're buying new, be aware that the Fluence does not hold its value very well, so while the likes of the Toyota Corolla etc. may look more expensive to start with, it ends up saving you money in the long run thanks to better depreciation.