Home > Business > Industry

Renault Filante: An ensemble of sedan and SUV

Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 14:49 Updated: 10 Mar. 2026, 16:29

SARAH CHEA
[email protected]

Renault Korea's Filante [SARAH CHEA]

[TEST DRIVE]

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang — If you’re still torn between a sedan and an SUV, Renault Korea's Filante offers a third answer: Why not both?

The Filante, at first glance, doesn’t quite look like the SUVs we’ve grown accustomed to — and that’s deliberate. Renault prefers to call it a “crossover,” though not in the usual sense of a coupe-styled SUV.

The idea here is more ambitious — a car concept meant to blend the best of sedans and SUVs into something that feels like both. After about 140 kilometers (87 miles) behind the wheel, I can tell you what Renault means.

The interior of the Renault Korea's Filante [SARAH CHEA]

The rear of the Filante [SARAH CHEA]

The front end carries Renault’s latest design language, a polished and sleek look seen on models like the Grand Koleos and the Scenic. Then there’s the welcome-and-goodbye lighting animation that plays when you start or shut down the car, which is unexpectedly charming — almost cute — for something this large, sturdy, muscular presence.

Size-wise, it threads the needle between the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Palisade, a niche that Korean brands haven’t quite filled.

The rear, however, may divide opinions. The signature white rear section, paired with black in a two-tone finish, reminded me a bit of a Batman-style eye mask, shrunk down and placed across the tail. Some may find it distinctive, and for me, it slightly undercuts the elegance of the front.

The glass roof of the Renault Korea's Filante [SARAH CHEA]

The interior of the Filante [SARAH CHEA]

And the Filante script badge on the back? I couldn’t help thinking it might have looked better if it were just a little smaller.

Step inside, and the mood changes again. The 1.1-square-meter (12-square-foot) panoramic glass roof across the ceiling gives the interior an airy openness that feels a little like driving a Tesla.

Then I wondered, if it’s this wide, would the glass roof make the car hotter? Renault Korea, however, says the roof uses double coating and solar film for heat insulation, adding that engineers confirmed that the glass roof actually helped keep cabin temperatures lower.

The AI driving mode was thoughtful. Turn it on, and the car spends about five to 10 minutes learning how you drive — how aggressively you accelerate, how smoothly you brake — before automatically selecting the driving mode that best matches your habits.

“Hi, Renault.” The car also comes with an AI voice system, allowing for natural, conversational control while driving. The system remembers the context of previous conversations and even keeps an eye on the outside environment. When the fine dust levels spike, the car asks first: “Would you like me to close the windows?”

Renault Korea's Filante crossovers [RENAULT KOREA]

Filante’s interior philosophy was surprising, but in my personal opinion, simplicity went too far. Almost everything — including driving modes — lives inside the touch screen, and at one point, I realized I had to hunt through the display to do everything.

While driving at highway speed, who wants to be staring at a screen? Yes, you can always say something like, “Hi Renault, turn on the ventilated seat.” But compared to a simple physical button, the process isn’t quite as intuitive.

Out on the road, the Filante redeems itself quickly. It carries a higher center of gravity than sedans, which often means more body roll in corners. But the Filante handles sweeping curves with surprising composure. Even through a series of tighter bends, the body stayed flatter than I expected. The sense of leaning from side to side was noticeably reduced.

Move the gear knob left or right, and you can instantly adjust the level of regenerative braking. Set it to the lowest level, and it was almost indistinguishable from driving a conventional gasoline car, a welcome touch for drivers who aren’t fans of aggressive regen.

Then comes the price — and the Filante may look even more tempting. Its sticker price starts at 43.31 million won ($29,000).

BY SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]