Renault Fluence

I must say I am very surprised. However I have driven the auto as a hire car. I think it's the CVT gearbox that wrecks the car. And 1.6 is tinny for that size body. Glad I got the 2.0T in manual. I thing that cvt gearbox is flawed.

I brought this car because it was cheap, (had it 2 years now) but did I get a shock. Some how an unmarked and un badged sport version slipped through the net. Will do 150kms in 4th, only need 6th after 185kms. Will 205kms before it'll start to slow and struggle. It's roomy, comfortable, economical, good looks, and fast. Its quicker off the line and around corners than my friends 5.7ltr r8 Hsv maloo. 1 tank of fuel,in the high way does 700km, cruise on 140. Heaps of room in the boot, plus you can fold the seats flat. Nice driving position, well weighted clutch and gears nice and close together. Auto lights, auto wipers, alloys, reverse sensors, hill start assist, auto climate control, CD player, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, electric mirrors that fold in when you lock it. For $27,990 with metallic paint 3 years capped price servicing at $399 and 5 year warranty and 5 year road side assist. I think it's a good deal.

I made a review in June 2011 and here I am sharing my views after owning Fluence for 1.5 years. This car cannot make it!!! In spite of much higher car prices these days, I am prepared to lose money and sell it off but there are no takers. Dealers told me they cannot quote me because I will lose too much and it is hard for them to sell this brand.

I drove to KL last month during school holidays. I struggled so much in North-South Highway. I tried to overtake big trucks on left lane and in midst of overtaking, I could see other cars coming from FAR distance in the right lane. I tried to filter left but this car is so underpowered that I actaully struggled to overtake the slow trucks. Those cars from FAR distance could get so near to me. At 120km/h, that was about the max this car could do. Anything more gave rattling and wobbly feel. Horrible! Just cannot make it!!! I also tried using the manual mode to change gears several times and gave up. Changing to lower gear would only hear louder engine noise but there was NO increase in power at all. Only consolation is this car will forever keeps me within the speed limit and never ever likely to get a speeding ticket.

By next month, I will have own Renault Fluence for 1 year. Although it is the newest and so-called the best model in Renault line-up here, it seems to be overstated. What a silly choice I made to buy this car and I have to live with this agony for a few more years because I cannot afford to get another car with the high car prices now. I have always been driving Toyota and decided to give a continental brand a try after reading the positive reviews of Fluence in newspaper and magazines. My test drive was ok too. After driving for 1 year, I have to say that all the reviews were overstated. How should I describe how underpowered it is? I have been stretching the engine to work so hard and I wonder how long the engine can endure my ‘hard treatment’. Nothing special to talk about the comfort, handling or efficiency of the car. Maybe, it is more consoling to say that the car is my basic transport tool for shuttering family and for personal errands, nothing more.

I manage to test drive these 3 cars all in the same day not too long ago, to provide a consistent opinion for my review. I chose these 3 cars as they are roughly in the same price range and probably what fresh grads out of uni or budding parents are planning to buy.

When I first saw this car, I must say it has the "showroom appeal". It stands out in the crowd for sure (from the likes of Altis, Sylphy, Civic and the ubiquitous Chevvy Taxi Cruz which is actually Holden Cruz in Aussie) and as the salesgirl claimed, it is a "continental" car. The interior is actually not bad for its price and this Fluence offers good space both front, back and in the boot. Equipments are quite on-par or slightly better than market. Subsequently, I requested for a test drive and was not expecting much from the various reviews I have came across. I would say cornering is prob the best out of the 3 cars I previously mentioned (prob due to the heavier weight) but there is probably nothing much else remarkable about the drive.

Now, let me talk about the issues. This Fluence is seriously underpowered. With only 110 Bhp (compared with Altis which has 120+ Bhp and with lighter body), it needs alot of prodding to get moving. For instance, I was trying to make a right turn at a cross junction (with green lights but no green arrow) and I came dangerously close with the oncoming traffic. FYI, i drive a 1.5L auto vios but not M3 or what AMG so i believe I am a relatively slow but safe driver and I never had such issues before. Next, its the quality. Though it feels nice in the showroom, out on the road, i started hearing rattling noises coming from ?? which then I asked the salesgirl who then gave me the ?? look. I drove my cheap vios for 3 years and have never encountered this issue. In addition, its the price. Mind you, this car is being sold as samsung SM3 in Korea and as Fluence in other countries, all of which are cheaper than its Japanese rivals. We are actually getting the cheaper of the 2 versions (if you google online, the other version has slightly differnt bonet and grill) which comes with NO door pockets on backseats, NO proper AUX/USB port, NO proper silicon wiper (they provide the old school skeleton type wiper)

This is the second Renault car i have owned. Before this i was driving a Megane II, which was a superb car as well. I still like the Megane II design more, as it offers more executive look. Fluence has a mix of Korean DNA, so design is slightly less uniquely french in certain ways. After driving Renault cars for 6 years, i like to say they are not lemon as what most people think. However, you need to know which workshops you need to go to, and also which are the more vulnerable parts to be replaced. Most of the workshops can't service Renault well, as their built can be slightly different from other makes.

I was pleasantly impressed with this new model when it was 1st launched in Nov last year. As a 1.6L car, it contains the features of a 2.0L make such as keyless entry, built-in GPS, bluetooth, etc. Overall styling, cabin space and value-for-money were great. Test drive experience was decent and I booked the car.

Having driven it for 6 months, I can only say this car really under-powered. Overtaking in any condition is always a challenge. I have somehow changed my driving habit to drive slower and always use the slow lane. I become wary when I am the 1st car in a traffic junction. Maybe its a CVT engine and the power is so lacking for a car of this size. I really have doubt if this car can take me on Malaysia roads.

On the after-sale, it leaves so much to be desired. My 1st servicing at Wearnes costed me $406. Bearing in mind that this is a 1.6L model, comprises of Japanese engine and assembled in Korea, its amazing that the servicing cost is exorbitant with sub-standard service. The staff sounded so cold when I called to make the service appointment. At the counter, the staff was hardly friendly. There was no smile and I was served like their routine job, simply to get their jobs done. When asked question about the car, the staff's response was "this is a new model, we are not sure". Looks like I have to live with this until I have the next change and this is a hard lesson learnt.

Nevertheless, having invested so much money in this car at the prevailing COE, I have to like my car regardless. For those who have bought this car or who are considering it, good luck and hope that you have a better experience than me.

Got a chance to drive the Fluence the second time. This time round I can judged the car better as I have noted the details of Fluence compared to other Japanese or Korean rides.

The drive feels the same as the first time I drove it. Though it is a CVT, move off is pretty responsive. Overtaking is sluggish due to the gearless feel of CVT, hence no kick down to feel the immediate response. Road noise is pretty well suppress, engine noise insulation is impressive under normal driving condition, as good as silent, if one doesn't observe the speedometer to drive within the speed limit of 60km/h, this car refinement can easily mask the actual speed you are driving.

Ride is on the firm side but still very comfortable. Steering is very light at low speed but gradually firm up as speed rises, a good setup to have.

Even though there are newer rides and great styling cars like Forte and Elantra, I like the Fluence styling very much over the two mentioned, much more over the overdone design of Elantra. What I like most is the solid feel of the metal around the car, because they are of thicker steel compared to all Japanese and Korean makes these days, even the Opel Astra lost out the solid feel too. How I know it? Because I have done the palm test and knock test on the metal of the cars, Fluence gives the best solid feel.

Been driving my fluence for the past 5 days. Its a cool car. Most of the features i want in a car are all there. Something quite disappointing is that it does not come with usb port or iphone compatiable port. Other than that it is a nice ride. A very big car for 1.6cc category.

My wife and myself test drive the Renault Fluence on a hot Sunday noon. We've also tested the Chevrolet Cruze LS model a few weeks back. On comparison, both cars have their perks and flaws. No car in this world can satisfy an owner.

I believe that you need to know what you are looking for in a car.

Firstly, Exterior. The Fluence gave a very luxury car feeling compared to the Cruze, which is sporty. The design of the Fluence design looks a bit older than the Cruze's modern design. The wheel base of the Fluence is wider than the Cruze, which helps passengers to have a more comfortable feeling.

Secondly, Speed. The pick-up from the 6-speed CVT engine for the Fluence is smooth with minimal drag feeling. The Cruze needs a little more 'stepping on the pedal' to get the car moving. But comparing both cars, they both give a decent 156NM and 155NM respectively with top-speed of 185km/h. The engine of the Fluence is smooth and less noisier than the Cruze. The change in gear is smoother too.

Thridly, Interior comfort. Being a driver, the first entry into the car is the most important. The seat most be able to fit the body length, body size and the self, before turning on the engine. The passengers from the front to the back must allow free movement, being children or adults alike. Both cars give a very generous space for legs and movement. No claustrophobic feeling. Comfortable leather seats. Both I must say the Fluence edge the Cruze out a little when comparing the interior comfort. The additional air-con vents for rear passengers really helps, especially in our hot and humid climate in Singapore and Malaysia.

Fourthly, Technology. I must say that the Cruze takes all the advantages of technology compared to any other cars in the 1.6L range. I've not seen any other car having that much technology like iPod connectivity, factory fitted DVD player, GPS navigator system (generic), bluetooth connectivity with head system, USB pod, etc. The Fluence is also not far behind though. A build-in TomTom navigator, bluetooth connectivity with head system, RCA terminal for mp3 player.

One big difference is price. For a key-less entry and push start button of the Cruze, you are expected to pay an extra $2k. But the Fluence comes with it inclusive.

Overall, both cars offer a different feel, comfort and drive. It all depends on the driver and his co-pilot.

I tried this a few weeks back and must say for a 1.6L car to find so many features in it is hard to get nowadays.

For this range, you can find so many accessories that can only be seen in higher price makes and models like keyless entry, start stop engine, auto headlights and rain sensors, etc...

The drive is ok as not much complains due to its a 1.6L..gear changes are smooth and no noise at all.

Steering is light and cornering have a bit of body roll. Boot space is also pretty big for this size of car too.

Its definately a BEST choice to get comparing to other makes in this 1.6L category for the price you are paying for.

Just test drove the Fluence today and I am amazed that a car of this size and weight can pick up effortlessly. Even when I step hard on the accelerator the power came instantly unlike other cvt gearbox which is very laggy(eg. Mit Lancer ex2.0 GT). This car has very good insulation where you can barely hear the road and wind noise. Pretty good audio system. Basically this car has everything you want in the car. Handling of this car feels solid enough although the steering is very light.

Went around Toyota, Kia and Renault the other day with my 3 kids looking for a replacement car for my 4 years old Honda Airwave.

The sale rep was very polite and i told them that i need to rush off because w 3 kids, just taking a look at New Fluence. However the guest officer came up and approach my kids and reassure me that they will be taken care of while i'm talking to sales rep.

I'm delighted because my previous visit at other showroom when i told them i just browsing with kids not convenient and they just simply pass me the catalogue and go back to their counter.

Guys, what is happening nowadays?

A Renault but made in Korea?

Do the Sales Reps actually tell you this very important FACT; or you have to ask to find out?

Being a current Megane sedan owner for coming 4 years, I was indeed waiting for a new range of Renault cars. Though did encounter small issues here and there, I must say the Megane sedan has served me & my family well in comparison to the japanese cars I used to own. After reading the impressive review from Christoper Tan dated 13th Nov, I decided to check out the Fluence last weekend with my family of 5. Though my previous sales consultant is no longer with Renault, my family was very well received by the sales consultant, Adeline the moment we stepped into the showroom. She patiently went through the car with us though I had intentionally raised lots of objections. Even my negative mindset wife was impressed with her service as well as the features, the drive and most importantly-the price. And of course, we booked a unit & my kids are indeed looking forward to receive our Fluence.