Renault Filante SHOCKS SUV Rivals! Santa Fe, Sorento Beware!

[TEST DRIVE] Renault Korea’s Filante set to take on Santa Fe, Sorento

Renault Filante SHOCKS SUV Rivals! Santa Fe, Soren...

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province – Renault Korea is throwing its hat into the fiercely competitive midsize SUV ring with the all-new Filante, and it's not pulling any punches. This crossover, the second model under their ambitious "Aurora Project," aims to disrupt the established order, challenging the long-reigning kings Hyundai's Santa Fe and Kia's Sorento. After a 150-kilometer test drive through the historic landscapes of Gyeongju, it's clear the Filante is betting big on comfort and refinement to stand out from the crowd.

The Filante's design is definitely a departure from your typical boxy SUV. It sports a sleeker, coupe-inspired silhouette, which, combined with a hybrid powertrain, aims to offer a unique alternative in a market often dominated by more utilitarian designs. Renault Korea is clearly trying to carve out a niche for drivers who want the practicality of an SUV without sacrificing the comfort and quietness often associated with sedans. That’s a smart move, in my opinion. People are looking for something a little different these days.

The test drive certainly highlighted this duality. The Filante manages to blend the elevated driving position and cargo space of an SUV with a surprising level of composure on the road. Compared to Renault Korea’s previous offering, the Grand Koleos, the Filante feels significantly more polished and refined. It's evident that a lot of attention has been paid to creating a more balanced and harmonious driving experience.

But the real standout feature, the one that truly impressed during the three-hour drive, was the sheer quietness of the cabin. Renault Korea has gone all-in on noise reduction, equipping every Filante trim with active noise cancellation technology. They’ve even partnered with French audio experts Arkamys to develop an advanced eight-speaker sound system. Microphones inside the cabin actively listen for and counteract engine noise. The result? A remarkably serene interior, even when cruising at highway speeds. It’s the kind of feature that can make a big difference on long journeys, and it’s something I definitely appreciated during the test.

The Filante pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a dual-motor hybrid system. While I'll need more time behind the wheel to fully assess its performance in various driving conditions, my initial impression is that it offers a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. Ultimately, the Filante represents a bold move by Renault Korea, and it will be interesting to see how it fares against the established giants in the midsize SUV segment. Its focus on comfort and refinement, coupled with its distinctive design, could very well resonate with a significant portion of the market.