Test drive: Renault’s Filante hybrid aims to blend sedan comfort with SUV stability

Front view of the Renault Filante parked near the Bomun tourism complex in Gyeongju. [Photo by Oh Ju-seok]

"On a straight road it feels like a sedan, and on rough pavement it feels like an SUV." That was the line that came to mind while driving Renault Korea’s next-generation hybrid model, the Filante. It is clearly an SUV, but it delivered sedan-like comfort and immediate acceleration, while adding upgraded artificial intelligence features aimed at convenience.

At a test-drive event on March 4, the Filante was driven about 140 kilometers (87 miles) round trip, from an event site at Yellow Cafe in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, to Nine Hill Cafe in Ulju County, Ulsan, with a passenger. The drive highlighted the vehicle’s power and quietness.

The Filante shown at the event was an E-segment flagship crossover featuring an illuminated signature lozenge logo. Renault said it is based on the SUV-platform Grand Koleos body but engineered for sedan-level quietness and ride comfort by technically lowering its center of gravity.

At the turnaround point at Nine Hill Cafe, the driver took the wheel. In warm weather, a press of a button followed by the voice command, "Turn on the ventilated seat," prompted the car to respond immediately. The feature is enabled by SK Telecom’s A.Dot Auto voice service, which the company says can remember conversational context and continue answers based on follow-up questions.

On the Ulsan expressway, the body felt stable and the accelerator response was quick. The electric motor stepped in rapidly, keeping initial acceleration brisk, with a sense of the chassis holding firm from below. The Filante uses Renault’s Hybrid E-TECH powertrain: a 100-kilowatt drive motor and a 60-kilowatt starter motor paired with a 1.5-liter turbo direct-injection gasoline engine for a maximum 250 horsepower. Renault said a large-capacity lithium-ion battery allows up to 75% of city driving in electric mode.

On the winding Unmunsan section, the Filante showed SUV-like stability. It offers multiple drive modes, including Sport, Eco and AI. In Sport mode, responses felt more aggressive; in AI mode, it appeared to adapt to conditions and delivered a steadier feel.

Even on rough surfaces, the body stayed composed through corners, maintaining balance. The driver’s seat, finished in Nappa synthetic leather, sits relatively high and provided firm lower-back support for long-distance comfort.

Wind and road noise were noticeably reduced. With acoustic glass and an active noise-cancellation system, the cabin did not become uncomfortably loud even at speeds above 110 kph (68 mph), reinforcing the sedan-like quiet.

Renault Filante interior Photo by Oh Ju-seok — Interior of the Renault Filante. [Photo by Oh Ju-seok]

In highway congestion, cruise control proved useful. The Filante includes 34 advanced driver-assistance systems, Renault said, including lane-departure prevention and an emergency steering assist designed to help the vehicle avoid sudden hazards.

Returning to Gyeongju on national roads, the word that came to mind was "identity." On straight stretches, it tracked steadily like a sedan, while the cabin remained quiet. A front passenger panoramic screen provided access to the internet and other content, and the radio speaker sound quality was satisfactory. Renault said a karaoke function will be added later through an update.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Oh Jooseok