Test drive of the Renault Talisman 1.6 dCi 130 CV ZEN, French character

Renault took a long time to find a saloon capable of taking over from the Laguna, a model that hit the market in 1994 and remained on sale through several generations until 2015. It later tried its luck with a launch that was not entirely French, the Latitude, which never quite found its place in the European market. But with the Renault Talisman the French brand has put all its effort into it, creating a worthy successor to the Laguna. In some respects it even goes a step further, and we should consider it a successor to the Safrane as well.

We have been able to test the Renault Talisman with the 1.6 dCi diesel engine producing 130 CV, the middle option in the diesel range, with the top-of-the-range trim level that the diamond-badged brand calls ZEN. If you are looking for a fuel-efficient mid-size saloon with attractive design and comprehensive equipment, the Talisman is a serious option to consider.

Exterior design

On the outside the Talisman does not go unnoticed. Its width, accentuated by the LED daytime running lights in a “bracket” shape (now the brand’s new light signature), and its low height create an imposing front view. The front features the enormous diamond badge alongside the large grille. Our unit had LED lights for all lighting functions, with an outstanding light beam.

The side profile is simple yet elegant, highlighted by the 18-inch alloy wheels in 245/45 R18 size. A third of the design consists of glazed areas which, together with the lateral lines, give the whole elegance .

The part that exudes the most elegance, at least in the opinion of this writer, is the rear, where the light clusters that extend along the tailgate create an elegant and distinctive look, while the twin rear exhaust outlets add a sporty touch.

Interior design

Inside, the design and quality of the finishes are surprising, a simple design where the vertically oriented touchscreen (though perfectly integrated) takes centre stage, along with noble, high-quality materials (soft-touch plastics, good fit and wood inserts). Much of the control of the multimedia system and the driving modes is centralised in a controller on the centre console, in addition to the touchscreen.

The instrumentation is digital, clear and well organised, with all kinds of information. Depending on the driving mode or the chosen appearance, it shows different data, highlighting the rev counter (in Sport mode) or the speed (in normal mode). At night the ambient lighting (with a choice of several colours) gives the interior a premium touch.

The driving position is slightly low, with front seats that hold the body well (electrically adjustable on our unit) and enough space for the feet and head. The driver’s seat features a massage function with three different programmes, useful for those of us who spend many kilometres behind the wheel.

The rear seats offer more legroom than other similar saloons, and include air vents and USB sockets for charging (a very practical detail). For two people the space is more than sufficient; three will be a little tighter but not uncomfortable.

The boot has a capacity of 515 litres, a good figure, although the loading opening is limited by the tailgate. It has storage compartments on both sides of the boot and a space under the parcel shelf.

Engine and performance

It is rare for a 1.6 to feel so smooth at the wheel. In fact, accustomed to the 1.5 dCi from the same brand, this 1.6 dCi, which in this version produces 130 CV, has nothing in common with it in terms of performance and smoothness. It is a willing engine in which you can feel the 130 CV, more than enough for most situations; only with the car fully loaded will you need more power.

That said, the engine’s useful range starts at 1,500 rpm (like most diesels) and loses strength beyond 3,000 rpm, which obliges you to work the six-speed gearbox if you want to drive more sportily. Although the gearbox is not the best on the market for feel or precision, the smoothness of the engine makes the whole package very pleasant to drive. Combined with the lightness the Talisman conveys, you never feel you are behind the wheel of a saloon measuring 4.85 m.

Handling

Both on country roads and motorways, the Talisman stands out for its agility and sense of lightness; its weight of just 1,505 kg confirms it. Moreover, the suspension setup (in our adaptive version) together with the well-known 4Control (four-wheel steering) ensures that any input to the steering is transmitted immediately to the wheels with barely any effort and with outstanding stability. The first thing we noticed in models equipped with 4Control is that we need to turn the steering wheel less to manoeuvre, change lanes or take bends on winding roads; everything is quicker and more agile with just a small turn of the wheel.

The Renault Talisman has good interior soundproofing, maintaining a high level of comfort on country roads and motorways. It should be noted, however, that this version has only 130 CV, with a respectable 320 Nm of torque, which can feel a little short in more spirited driving or with the car fully loaded. Barring these situations, choosing the 130 CV diesel engine is a good idea.

From a control on the centre console we can switch between several driving modes: ECO, Sport, Comfort, Neutral and Perso (configurable mode). The response is noticeable, especially in the throttle sharpness or the firmness of the suspension on models fitted with adaptive suspension.

In short, this 130 CV diesel Talisman is a car geared towards touring, ideal for covering kilometres with a high level of comfort, and it even allows some sporting liberties, although you must work the gearbox constantly.

Fuel consumption

On the usual motorway route between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid, average consumption was 5.5 litres per 100 km at the legal speed limit. On country roads the figure drops to 5.3 litres per 100 km, and if we are careful with the pedal it is easy to bring consumption down to 4.7 litres per 100 km.

In town, in the various tests carried out in Vigo and Madrid, consumption stayed between 6.0 and 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

In terms of equipment, we always start by reviewing the safety features fitted as standard on every Renault Talisman: front, side and head airbags, stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, emergency braking assistance, hill start assist, among others. In Euro NCAP crash tests it earned five stars (December 2015 rating), with an adult occupant protection score of 86% and a child occupant protection score of 84%.

The diamond brand has also invested in a comprehensive technology package for safety. Depending on the trim level or equipment pack, it includes a blind spot warning (alerting via a warning light), automatic high beam (with excellent illumination thanks to the full-LED headlights), collision warning with automatic braking (standard), lane departure assist (which sounds through the speakers if we drift out of the marked lines), among other features.

We were impressed by the operation of the “tablet” that controls the whole multimedia system and the car’s main functions. It is a screen with outstanding performance (it runs smoothly, more so than similar systems) and it is quite intuitive; within a few days you will be used to it. The navigation system is very complete in terms of information, including real-time traffic status with colour coding for congestion on the different roads. That said, the fixed climate control buttons are insufficient, and for everyday simple tasks (such as switching the A/C on or off) you have to use the touchscreen and navigate between two menus, which should have been quicker.

Completing the equipment on our unit is a colour head-up display with full information projected onto its own screen (like other French models), and we must not forget the sound system signed by BOSE (optional, 800 euros) made up of 13 speakers and a truly clear, more than correct sound.

Personal opinion and price of the Renault Talisman

The starting price of the Renault Talisman with the 110 CV diesel engine (including promotions) is 20,900 euros, while the INTENS trim starts at 24,677 euros and the ZEN trim from 28,252 euros. Our unit, with 130 CV and full equipment, has a final price of 32,133 euros (with all extras), a price which I personally find very competitive.

My personal opinion of this Renault Talisman is very positive. I believe the brand has needed for some time to find the right ingredients for its saloon (since the legendary Laguna and the failed attempt with the Latitude). Well, the Talisman gets the design right, gets the quality right, and even behind the wheel it is a car that leaves a very good impression (with low consumption), all without neglecting the equipment and with a very reasonable final price. It is a worthy rival to those premium saloons which, at this price (extras included), barely offer four elements from a closed equipment pack, whereas for 30,000 euros the Talisman offers a whole arsenal of features and a presence not far off the German premium brands.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira