[Test Drive] SUV and Sedan Sensibility Together... Renault Samsung XM3

Best-Selling Car with 34,000 Units Sold in 2020
Experience SUV Convenience and Sedan Sensibility at the Same Time

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Choosing between 'Jjajangmyeon' and 'Jjamppong' is one of the biggest daily dilemmas for Koreans. The same goes for buying a car. For the younger generation purchasing their first vehicle, considering driving convenience and vehicle utility, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) comes to mind, but when factoring in stylish exterior design, giving up on a sedan is also difficult.

Renault Samsung Motors' coupe-style SUV XM3 is like a 'Jjamjjamyeon' that resolves such buyers' dilemmas. It offers the benefits and emotions of both an SUV and a sedan simultaneously. As evidence, since its launch last year, the XM3 has sold over 34,000 units, earning its place as a 'best-selling car.'

On the 11th, I, a novice driver, drove the Renault Samsung XM3 TCe 260 model about 110 km round trip on national roads from Incheon to a cafe on the outskirts of Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. The first impression of the XM3 was its attractive exterior that seemed to blend SUV and sedan characteristics. Compared to sedans, the SUV traits were clear, but compared to typical compact SUVs, its appearance was reminiscent of a sedan, which was impressive. Passengers also praised it, saying, "The exterior is really beautiful."

This dual nature was also felt inside the vehicle. The high ground clearance resulted in a high seat position, making driving and getting in and out convenient. Separately, the overall height was 1570 mm, so headroom was not very spacious. The driving convenience followed that of an SUV, yet it had the stability typical of a sedan.

The interior and exterior design of the vehicle were also luxurious. Faithfully following Renault Samsung's family look, chrome decorations placed throughout added elegance, and the interior featured ambient lighting that could change to various colors, which stood out. In dark spaces like tunnels, it evoked the atmosphere of a concert hall.

One noticeable feature was Renault Samsung's unique vertical display (9.3 inches). Unlike most competitors' horizontal displays, it felt somewhat unusual, but it was actually more convenient for viewing navigation while driving. The touch panel's response speed was also satisfactory. Especially, the pre-installed SK Telecom's T-map enhanced convenience. There was no need to run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as the built-in navigation could be used directly.

The interior space was more spacious than expected. It felt roomy compared not only to compact SUVs in the same class but also to compact sedan models. The actual specifications of the Renault Samsung XM3 are a length of 4570 mm, width of 1820 mm, and wheelbase of 2720 mm, making it the largest among SUVs in its class. The trunk capacity was also spacious at 513 liters. Although the overall height was somewhat low, it seemed suitable for popular 'car camping' activities like 'chabak.'

The driving experience felt lively. Although there was a slight delay in acceleration when pressing the accelerator, it was not annoying or obstructive to driving. Major functions were composed of analog buttons, allowing easy operation even while driving.

There was also an opportunity to use advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) during driving. When approaching a sharp curve and about to leave the lane, the XM3's Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) function activated and held the steering wheel. The Adaptive Cruise Control function also operated smoothly on straight sections.

The ride comfort was satisfactory. Even while driving on national roads with many speed bumps in the driver and front passenger seats, there was no particular discomfort, and external noise was barely noticeable. However, a passenger seated in the rear seemed to feel somewhat uncomfortable on sections with many speed bumps.

Above all, the biggest attraction of the XM3 is its price. According to Renault Samsung, the XM3 1.6 GTe SE model starts at 17.63 million KRW, and the TCe 260 RE Signature model starts at 25.97 million KRW.