[Taboleo] From Design to Price... 'XM3' Makes Changing the Air Conditioner Filter Easier

#Sedan-like SUV-like #DrivingFeelNotBad
#AirConditionerFilter, Self Replacement OK #PriceOK

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The car XM3, which makes you doubt how such a car can be produced at this price, has finally been released. It is a beacon of hope for Renault Samsung Motors, which has been going through severe ups and downs. Reflecting the expectations inside and outside the company, XM3 has gained great popularity, surpassing 10,000 units sold in the shortest period since the company's founding. After driving it myself, I found that not only the price, which received praise from the moment of its unveiling, but also the design and performance showed clear signs of Renault Samsung Motors' careful consideration. Personally, I was most pleased that the replacement of the 'air conditioner filter,' a chronic problem pointed out in Renault Samsung cars, has become more convenient. I met the car XM3, which carries Renault Samsung's hope, by driving a round trip of 120 km from Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul to Yangpyeong.

The exterior looks quite decent. How about the design?

Renault Samsung Motors has long been praised for its exterior design, to the extent that it is said "half the battle is won with design." This is especially true for the QM6 and SM6. XM3 faithfully follows this family look of Renault Samsung Motors. The front features a C-shaped headlamp and chrome grille, following the proven design of the aforementioned models. The rear emphasizes brand identity with LED rear combination lamps. Additionally, it is characterized by a sportier and more voluminous appearance.

Another highlight is the exterior that seems to blend a sedan and a sport utility vehicle (SUV). Due to the high ground clearance, the seat position is quite high like an SUV. However, the overall height is low for an SUV, so the headroom is not as spacious as expected. In other words, from the outside, it strongly feels like an SUV, but inside, you can simultaneously experience the stable feeling of a sedan.

Also, thanks to the long overall length and wheelbase, the front-to-back space in the second row is quite generous. However, due to the roofline design that mixes sedan elements, the internal headroom and trunk space are lower than expected. You can think of it as similar to that of a sedan.

How does the interior feel?

The interior turned out better than expected. It feels excessively luxurious for its class. I liked that high-quality materials were used without exception in areas where the driver’s hands or arms might touch, showing careful attention.

In particular, the chronic drawback of Renault Samsung’s vertical display has been improved. Previously, all controls had to be operated through this display, which raised safety concerns during driving and caused significant dissatisfaction among consumers. However, in the XM3, some functions including the climate control are arranged with intuitive analog buttons. Of course, driving modes, heated/cooled seats, and audio still require the display, but compared to previous generations where multiple steps were needed, the process has become noticeably simpler.

How is the driving experience?

The combination of the Mercedes-tuned TCe 260 engine and the 7-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission delivered performance beyond expectations. It felt agile, smooth, and very stable even when accelerating to high speeds. There are three driving modes: Eco, MySense, and Sport, with the Sport mode’s performance being particularly impressive. Vibration and underbody noise are stable, but some wind noise occurs at high speeds. However, considering the class of the car, this level is quite acceptable.

Fuel efficiency is also good. During the initial 60 km of everyday driving in MySense mode, fuel economy was 15.2 km/l, and on the return trip of 60 km driven aggressively in Sport mode, it was measured at 12.9 km/l. The company’s official combined fuel economy is 13.2 km/l.

However, there are some drawbacks. The initial response after stopping is slow. Especially due to the stop & go system, it takes about 0.5 seconds to reach a stable RPM, and if the auto hold function is used, there is an additional delay of about 0.5 seconds when restarting the vehicle. When starting again after stopping, even if you press the accelerator, it feels like the car starts about half a beat late. But after experiencing several stops and starts, you quickly get used to it, and there is no problem with acceleration performance.

The much-discussed and problematic 'air conditioner filter' replacement?how is it this time?

To conclude, it has definitely become more convenient. The first thing I checked upon meeting the XM3 was the method of replacing the 'air conditioner filter.' For customers driving Renault Samsung cars, the air conditioner filter replacement method is notoriously difficult. It is said that you have to visit a service center even for a simple replacement.

The XM3 has improved this issue. The process is similar to the SM3. In the case of the SM3, to replace the air conditioner filter, you had to remove the glove box with tools, remove the upper cover below the center fascia on the passenger side, then remove the cover again with tools before replacing the filter. This was considered one of the easier methods among Renault Samsung cars.

In the XM3, you simply remove the cover and lid on the passenger side and replace the filter. No tools are required in this process. Previously, tools were necessary for replacement. Although it is still less convenient compared to the simple methods of Hyundai and Kia, and you have to work while bending over which makes the angle awkward, unlike other Renault Samsung cars, 'self-replacement' is possible. Yes, you save the cost of chicken (a Korean slang for repair/service costs).

The price seems well set. How does it look after checking?

It is definitely well priced. Starting from 17.19 million KRW due to the individual consumption tax reduction, it competes not only with compact sedans but broadly even with high-priced compact cars.

However, you should consider that over 70% of the pre-order customers for the XM3 chose the top trim priced at 25.32 million KRW. Still, considering the current situation where prices rise with every new model release, the XM3’s price is clearly 'kind' to consumers. I hope other manufacturers feel stimulated by this as well.