Renault Fluence review

Renault Fluence: 3/5

Good points: a lot of car for the money, highly specified

Not so good: not the bargain it once was

Test car details:

Model tested: Renault Fluence Dynamique 90 1.5 dCi
Pricing: €22,290
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: four-door saloon
Rivals: Ford Focus saloon, Mazda3, SEAT Toledo/Skoda Rapid
CO2emissions: 118g/km (Band A4, €200 per annum)
Combined economy: 63mpg (4.5 litres/100km)
Top speed: 175km/h
0-100km/h: 13 seconds
Power: 90hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,750rpm

Our view:

Aided by the government backed scrappage scheme (and generous discounts) the Renault Fluence was the fourth best-selling car in Ireland in 2011 and still holds the top slot as best-selling saloon of its size in Ireland. Facing stiff competition from the SEAT Toledo/Skoda Rapid twins (ok technically not saloons but...) can recent updates help the Fluence retain its position?

At first glance, things seem to be going in the Renault's favour; while the first generation car sold well it could never be described as a looker. In fact we would go so far as to say it was dull. With inspiration for the facelift drawn from the new Renault Clio that is not a label that could be applied to the new car, especially in the black and chrome of our test model.

While the exterior is all new (well, at the front anyway) the interior is as-it-was from the original car. Depending on your viewpoint this can be a good or bad thing, but the part leather upholstery and silver dash detailing of our test car impressed. At first glance the centre console seems busy; it's a mass of buttons that can easily confuse, but with the radio functions controllable from a stalk behind the steering wheel the console becomes less daunting.

The 90hp 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine has seen use across the Renault range and what it lacks in power it makes up for with economy. At 4.5 litres/100km (63mpg) the Fluence fares well against the competition while sub-120g/km emissions make for motor tax of just €200 a year. Softly sprung suspension means the Fluence is perfectly at home on the motorway, where it can soak up the miles, but this does mean it has a tendency to roll once the corners appear in the road ahead.

Unfortunately for the Fluence the game has changed since it was a top seller. The end of scrappage and big discounting now means that it is not that much cheaper than natural competitors like the saloon versions of the Ford Focus and Mazda3 and, while technically hatchbacks rather than saloons, the SEAT Toledo/Skoda Rapid twins offer everything the Renault does but for about €3,000 less.

Real alternatives:

Ford Focus saloon: marginally more expensive to buy but better quality and better to drive.

Mazda3 saloon: more expensive, even more button heavy interior but higher quality.

SEAT Toledo/Skoda Rapid: not 'technically' competitors but buyers in the market will be attracted by lower prices.