Renault Fluence

Peeking inside, one would notice soft-touch materials on the dashboard, which is overall basic and simple. The centre console houses a small gear lever, followed by a parking brake handle and a comfortable armrest. Furthermore, the infotainment system has integrated with FM/AM radio along with USB & Auxiliary Input option and can also be connected via Bluetooth. Then there is a small-sized infotainment panel that looks like an outgrowth from cutout on the dashboard. It is a colour display to be used for entertainment and navigational purpose. Behind the steering wheels there sits a digital instrument cluster that has a roof type structure to protect it from outer reflections. Seats are comfortable and there are ample headroom and legroom for both the driver and the passengers.

Whats bummer though is that the infotainment system lacks any type of integration of Android Auto that makes the system a bit bland.

Worth mentioning, the Dynamique variant has a few aesthetics of chrome on the steering wheel and the centre console that makes it a bit more desirable than the Expression version.

Renault Fluence is a compact sedan and its compactness is reflected in all modules from nose to tail. To start with the anterior, the vehicle gets a company’s signature corporate grille, which is smaller and flanked by elliptical LED headlights. The headlights get follow-me-home functionality and the units share its borders with the bonnet and the quarter panel. Below, the front features a set of foglamps that has the housing of chrome bezels. Hopping up, the bonnet gets a few characteristic lines that enhance the vehicle’s expressiveness.

Thereafter, the side profiles are clean apart from the bold bottom edge of the front and rear doors. On the vehicles’ back, there are quite large taillights that have one of their parts on the bootlid and the other extended towards the end of the side profile. Its Expression variant has an antediluvian bulb lamp, while Dynamique gets LEDs.  The vehicle’s rear-bottom end is marked by a bumper, which has the integration of the exhaust pipe.

For the driver and passengers’ comfort, the car’s chassis equips MacPherson Strut units for the front and Torsion Beam suspension for the rear. Although traditional, this combination manages to offer a fair degree of comfort.

A set of 17-inch radial wheels under the control of power steering, which has a tiltable and telescopic-adjustable column for better handling.

Both the variants are powered by the same 2.0-litre petrol engine four cylinders 16-Valve DOHC engine. The mill has a displacement of 1,997cc and delivers a maximum power of 143 hp and a peak torque of 195 Nm. It allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 10.1 seconds before attaining the top speed of 195 kmph. Undoubtedly, the figures are more on the average side and could have been higher.

The drive is sent to front wheels via 6-Speed CVT gearbox, standard across the two trims.

Fluence gets its stopping power from a combination of Discs and Ventilated Discs layout for the front and rear, respectively. This is further backed by brake assist and Anti-lock Braking System for efficient brake management and safety at high speeds. The vehicle also has driver and passenger airbags, traction control and stability control as standard safety features.

Fluence may not be a high-performance coaster with best-in-class features but accoutres enough to shine in its range. It gets a fair powertrain along with all essential safety components.

However, it lags much behind the expectations in possessing a praiseworthy interior. This is, however, outcasted by a well-crafted comfort module to offer a meritorious drive.