Renault Taliant Test Drive: Pros and Cons of This Affordable Sedan

The departure of the bestselling Renault Logan from the Ukrainian market has posed a significant challenge for the industry: affordable and reliable vehicles in the budget segment have vanished. However, the French automaker has finally introduced its replacement to Ukrainians - the Taliant. Let's explore what lies behind this new name and car body.

A Familiar Face

Renault developed the Taliant primarily for the large Turkish market. Essentially, it is an upgraded Dacia Logan of the third generation tailored for Turkey.

The new families of Logan and Sandero made their debut in Europe slightly earlier than the Taliant was unveiled to the world. However, the changes turned out to be more extensive than they initially appear - the update involved more than just new badges.

The headlights featuring signature boomerang daytime running lights and the distinctive grille are just the tip of the iceberg. Compared to the current Logan, the Taliant has different bumpers and a more sculpted hood, while the side profile has lost the bulges along the waistline. The new taillights now include additional sections on the trunk lid.

Despite these changes, the sedan's dimensions remain the same. The Renault Taliant, like the Dacia Logan, measures 4396 mm in length, which is 38 mm longer than the "second" Logan. The wheelbase is 2649 mm, an increase of 14 mm compared to its predecessor. The sedan has a width of 1848 mm and a height of 1501 mm. Customers can choose between 15 or 16-inch wheels.

One of the key "geometric" advantages of the sedan is its ground clearance of 178 mm. Such a height above the road is not something even some front-wheel-drive crossovers can boast. A week of familiarization demonstrated that the car can easily glide over road waves and is unafraid of deep potholes.

Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect any cutting-edge features from a sedan with a budget-friendly price tag. However, the essential minimum package is present: a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors. The halogen headlights come with an automatic light mode that allows the car to determine when to turn on the parking lights, low beams, or switch from high to low beams.

Brand Style

The interior of our brand's hero differs from the Logan and other models in subtle ways. The steering wheel, in terms of shape and button placement, is familiar from other "French" cars. Analog instruments with a monochrome trip computer display have also been retained. The graphics on the instrument panel resemble those of the previous-generation Captur, Duster, and Arkana.

At first glance, the numbers may seem small, but this does not significantly affect the perception of information even at speed. However, for those accustomed to digital displays, the screen between the analog dials can show an electronic speedometer.

The test sedan is equipped with the optional NAVI LINK multimedia system featuring an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system with built-in navigation supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound reproduction is handled by four speakers. Over the week, there were no complaints regarding the speed of operation or the logical layout of the menu controls. The only ergonomic issue in the cabin is the USB charging port's high positioning for gadgets.

The flagship version of the sedan offers keyless entry and a push-button start. Access to the cabin is managed by the familiar key card seen in other Renault models. The rear seat area is quite modest and straightforward, but there is a rather unusual feature - a pair of foldable tables in the back row.

In the RBC-Ukraine Auto edition, they couldn't recall any other sedan on the Ukrainian market with such a feature besides the Taliant. This is a clear marketing signal that the car could become a first vehicle for a young family.

According to official data, the trunk can accommodate up to 510 liters of luggage. Under the floor lies a spare wheel, while the jack is secured to the side panel. It's a bit unusual to see a metal threshold on the trunk, which on a light-colored vehicle will eventually lose its pristine appearance. If needed, the rear seatbacks can be folded in a 60/40 ratio, allowing for the transport of longer items like skis.

Its Own "Hundred"

The Renault Taliant is available in the Ukrainian market exclusively with a 1.0 TCe 3-cylinder turbo engine, producing 100 horsepower. The only choice is the transmission, with options for a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The test vehicle is equipped with the automatic CVT.

It’s no surprise that the new Taliant is built on the modular CMF-B platform. The chassis architecture remains the same as the "Logan": MacPherson struts at the front, a semi-independent suspension at the rear, and drum brakes on the rear wheels are still present.

It is no secret that the brand's representatives in Ukraine are hoping for significant sales of the model in the corporate segment. And only the drivers know what kind of roads service vehicles travel. This is why we decided to test the new model not only on wide highways but also on imperfect provincial roads. The only condition was a solid surface. Interestingly, the last night’s snowfall generously covered the roads - making it even more intriguing.

Overall, the character of the vehicle closely resembles the classic and well-known Logan: somewhat noisy but firm and resilient suspension, a straightforward "engine-transmission" pairing, and light steering. In fact, the only downside of the comfortable suspension is its "floatiness" when overtaking faster vehicles on the highway at speeds exceeding 100 km/h.

From a standstill to 100 km/h, the car accelerates in 13 seconds. In general, the 100-horsepower engine is quite sufficient for the empty sedan. The only thing is that during overtaking at speeds "over a hundred," the car needs a bit of time to "rev up." Often, during acceleration, the tachometer climbs to 4,000 rpm or even higher.

In the city, the "French" consumes between 6.7 to 7 liters per 100 km. On the highway, the situation is more interesting: if traveling at 90-100 km/h, the Taliant will consume around 6 liters per 100 km. However, if driving fast, the fuel consumption approaches the "7" mark.

Interestingly, the car offers quite good sound insulation from water - puddles and water ruts are hardly noticeable in the cabin. However, gravel, which is still used to treat regional roads in winter, announces itself with characteristic "rattling" from the rear wheel arches.

The Price Tag

In the Ukrainian market, the Renault Taliant is available in two versions - Authentic and Evolution. Prices for the "Authentic" sedan start at 629,900 UAH. The additional cost for the CVT is 60,000 UAH. The base package includes light and rain sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts, air conditioning, parking sensors, Bluetooth audio system, and more.

Prices for the Evolution version start at 679,400 UAH. Among the key features of the more expensive version are tire pressure sensors, climate control, a rearview camera, a multimedia touchscreen, alloy wheels, and more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Renault Taliant

Strengths of the Renault Taliant:

• Affordable pricing
• Large trunk
• Support for "92" gasoline
• Responsive and economical engine
• Keyless entry

Weaknesses of the sedan:

• Lack of engine options
• Short armrest
• No LED lighting