Renault Taliant: which version to buy
The Renault Taliant is a one-generation Sedan on sale from 2021-05-01 with no end date in the catalogue. Four gasoline versions share a 999 cm³ three-cylinder layout; the buying decision is which of those four numbers you actually want.
The Renault Taliant is a one-generation Sedan on sale from 2021-05-01 with no end date in the catalogue. Four gasoline versions share a 999 cm³ three-cylinder layout; the buying decision is which of those four numbers you actually want. Ranked by power-to-weight and by how much extra fuel or time each step costs, the 1.0 MT at 90 hp is the version that moves the car furthest per extra unit of output. The 1.0 MT at 65 hp is the lightest and slowest. The 1.0 CVT at 90 hp trades 2.2 s and 10 km/h of top speed for a Variable gearbox. The 1.0 MT at 100 hp is the heaviest and thirstiest, and it does not beat the 90 hp Manual to 100 km/h.
Which generation to buy
There is one generation: 1 generation, body Sedan, four versions, start 2021-05-01, stop not measured. There is no second generation to compare, no restyling row, and no change in body type. Every version below is the same generation; the differences are engine output, boost, gearbox, mass, and economy — not a later facelift.
Engine specs: four versions, three power levels
All four use Gasoline, 3 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, Direct injection (direct), 95 fuel, FWD. Displacement is 999 cm³ on every row. Boost is not measured on the 65 hp car and Turbo on the other three.
| Version | hp (kW) @ rpm | Nm @ rpm | cm³ | Fuel | Cylinders / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (65 hp) | 65 (47) @ 6300 | 95 @ 3600 | 999 | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 (66) @ 4600-5000 | 160 @ 2100-3750 | 999 | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 1.0 CVT (90 hp) | 90 (66) @ 4600-5000 | 160 @ 2100-3750 | 999 | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (100 hp) | 100 (73) @ 4600-5000 | 170 @ 2000-3500 | 999 | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
Stroke and bore are not the same on every 1.0: the 1.0 MT 65 hp is 71 x 84.1; the three Turbo cars are 72.2 x 81.34. Compression ratio is not measured on all four. Engine position is not measured on all four.
Specific output from the given displacement: 65 / 0.999 ≈ 65.1 hp per litre on the naturally unboosted 1.0 MT; 90.1 hp/l on both 90 hp cars; 100.1 hp/l on the 1.0 MT 100 hp. Torque density: 95 Nm/l on the 65 hp car, 160 Nm/l on the two 90 hp cars, 170 Nm/l on the 100 hp 1.0 MT.
The jump from 65 to 90 hp on Manual is +25 hp (+38%) and +65 Nm (+68%). The jump from 90 to 100 hp on Manual is only +10 hp (+11%) and +10 Nm (+6%). Peak torque arrives later on the 65 hp 1.0 MT (3600 rpm) than on the Turbo cars (from 2100 or 2000 rpm). Peak power on the 65 hp car is at 6300 rpm; on the Turbo cars it is in the 4600-5000 rpm band.
Performance: what the extra horsepower actually buys
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City / highway / mixed L/100 km | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (65 hp) | 17 s | 157 km/h | 6.2 / 4.9 / 5.6 | 127 |
| 1.0 MT (90 hp) | 11.7 s | 179 km/h | 6.2 / 4.7 / 5.6 | 126 |
| 1.0 CVT (90 hp) | 13.9 s | 169 km/h | 6.5 / 5.1 / 6.1 | 138 |
| 1.0 MT (100 hp) | 11.7 s | 181 km/h | 8.1 / 6.6 / 7.5 | 117 |
1.0 MT 90 hp versus 1.0 MT 65 hp. Same kerb weight (1034 kg), same mixed consumption (5.6 L/100 km), same city figure (6.2). Highway is 0.2 L/100 km lower on the 90 hp car (4.7 vs 4.9). 0–100 is 5.3 s quicker (11.7 vs 17). Top speed is 22 km/h higher (179 vs 157). CO2 is 1 g/km lower (126 vs 127). For this pair the Turbo 1.0 MT at 90 hp is strictly better on the measured speed figures and not worse on mixed fuel use.
1.0 CVT 90 hp versus 1.0 MT 90 hp. Same 90 hp, 66 kW, 160 Nm, Turbo, 999 cm³, 72.2 x 81.34. The Variable car is 61 kg heavier (1095 vs 1034). 0–100 is 2.2 s slower (13.9 vs 11.7). Top speed is 10 km/h lower (169 vs 179). Mixed use is 0.5 L/100 km higher (6.1 vs 5.6), city +0.3 (6.5 vs 6.2), highway +0.4 (5.1 vs 4.7). CO2 is 12 g/km higher (138 vs 126). What the CVT buys is the Variable gearbox, not speed and not economy.
1.0 MT 100 hp versus 1.0 MT 90 hp. 0–100 is identical: 11.7 s. Top speed is 2 km/h higher (181 vs 179). Mixed consumption is 1.9 L/100 km higher (7.5 vs 5.6) — about 34% more fuel on the mixed figure. City and highway each rise by 1.9 L/100 km (8.1 vs 6.2; 6.6 vs 4.7). Kerb weight is 93 kg higher (1127 vs 1034). CO2 is 9 g/km lower (117 vs 126). The extra 10 hp and 10 Nm do not shorten the 0–100 time; they add mass and mixed fuel use.
1.0 MT 100 hp versus 1.0 MT 65 hp. +35 hp, +75 Nm, 0–100 5.3 s quicker, top speed +24 km/h (181 vs 157), mixed +1.9 L/100 km, kerb +93 kg, CO2 −10 g/km (117 vs 127).
1.0 CVT 90 hp versus 1.0 MT 65 hp. 0–100 3.1 s quicker (13.9 vs 17), top speed +12 km/h, mixed +0.5 L/100 km, kerb +61 kg, CO2 +11 g/km.
Power-to-weight from the given kerb and hp figures:
- 1.0 MT 65 hp: 1034 / 65 ≈ 15.9 kg per hp
- 1.0 MT 90 hp: 1034 / 90 ≈ 11.5 kg per hp
- 1.0 CVT 90 hp: 1095 / 90 ≈ 12.2 kg per hp
- 1.0 MT 100 hp: 1127 / 100 ≈ 11.3 kg per hp
The 100 hp 1.0 MT is the lightest per horsepower by a small margin (11.3 vs 11.5), but it matches the 90 hp Manual to 100 km/h. The 65 hp 1.0 MT carries about 4.4 kg more per hp than the 90 hp Manual.
Tank range is not a measured range figure in the data. Tank volume is 50 L on all four. Using mixed consumption only as arithmetic on those two numbers: 50 / 5.6 ≈ 8.9 units of mixed distance per tank on both Manual 65 hp and Manual 90 hp; 50 / 6.1 ≈ 8.2 on the 1.0 CVT; 50 / 7.5 ≈ 6.7 on the 100 hp 1.0 MT. That last tank buys about 25% less mixed distance than the 5.6 L/100 km Manuals.
Dimensions, weight, mpg-related figures
Gross vehicle weight is not measured on all four versions. Ground clearance is not measured on all four. Wheel sizes are the same list on every version: 185/65 R15 and 195/55 R16.
Kerb weight is the dimension that actually splits the range:
- 1034 kg — both 1.0 MT 65 hp and 1.0 MT 90 hp
- 1095 kg — 1.0 CVT 90 hp (+61 kg vs the light Manuals)
- 1127 kg — 1.0 MT 100 hp (+93 kg vs the light Manuals, +32 kg vs the CVT)
Front suspension on every version: Independent, spring. Rear: Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Front brakes: Disc. Rear brakes: Drum. Those labels do not change between versions, so they are not a reason to pick one row over another.
Fuel consumption (the mpg question in catalogue units) is lowest on mixed for the two light Manuals at 5.6 L/100 km. The 1.0 CVT sits at 6.1. The 100 hp 1.0 MT sits at 7.5. City is tied at 6.2 for the two 1034 kg Manuals; 6.5 for the CVT; 8.1 for the 100 hp car. Highway is 4.7 on the 90 hp 1.0 MT (best), 4.9 on the 65 hp 1.0 MT, 5.1 on the 1.0 CVT, 6.6 on the 100 hp 1.0 MT.
CO2 does not follow mixed consumption in a straight line: the thirstiest 1.0 MT 100 hp has the lowest CO2 (117), the 1.0 CVT the highest (138). Eco class is not measured on all four.
Problems and reliability
No problem list, no reliability score, no service interval, and no eco class is in the data. Those items are not measured here. Chassis hardware (suspension labels, Disc front / Drum rear, wheel sizes) is identical across the four versions, so it does not rank them.
Which version to choose
Buy the 1.0 MT at 90 hp if the goal is speed per litre of fuel. It matches the 65 hp car on kerb weight (1034 kg) and mixed use (5.6 L/100 km), cuts 5.3 s from 0–100, and adds 22 km/h of top speed. Specific output is 90.1 hp/l versus 65.1. Torque is 160 Nm versus 95. Highway use is 0.2 L/100 km lower. CO2 is 1 g/km lower. Among the four rows this is the only step that improves acceleration without raising mixed consumption.
Buy the 1.0 MT at 65 hp if the goal is the lowest listed output and the same light kerb as the 90 hp Manual. It is the only version with boost not measured. It is also the slowest: 17 s to 100 km/h, 157 km/h top speed, 15.9 kg/hp. Mixed and city fuel figures equal the 90 hp Manual (5.6 and 6.2). You do not save mixed fuel by taking 25 hp less; you only give up 5.3 s and 22 km/h.
Buy the 1.0 CVT at 90 hp if the Variable gearbox is the requirement. Same 90 hp / 160 Nm Turbo engine as the 90 hp Manual, but 61 kg more mass, 2.2 s slower to 100 km/h, 10 km/h less top speed, +0.5 L/100 km mixed, +12 g/km CO2. Gear count is not measured (Variable). It is slower and thirstier than the 90 hp 1.0 MT; it is still 3.1 s quicker than the 65 hp 1.0 MT.
Buy the 1.0 MT at 100 hp only if 181 km/h and 170 Nm matter more than mixed fuel. It is the heaviest (1127 kg) and the highest mixed/city/highway use (7.5 / 8.1 / 6.6). 0–100 is not better than the 90 hp Manual (both 11.7 s). Top speed is 2 km/h higher. CO2 is the lowest of the four at 117. You pay 1.9 L/100 km extra mixed for 10 hp, 10 Nm, 2 km/h, and 93 kg.
If the four must be ordered by 0–100: 1.0 MT 90 hp and 1.0 MT 100 hp tied at 11.7 s; then 1.0 CVT 90 hp at 13.9 s; then 1.0 MT 65 hp at 17 s.
If ordered by mixed consumption: both light Manuals at 5.6; 1.0 CVT at 6.1; 1.0 MT 100 hp at 7.5.
If ordered by kg per hp: 1.0 MT 100 hp (11.3), 1.0 MT 90 hp (11.5), 1.0 CVT (12.2), 1.0 MT 65 hp (15.9).
There is no generation choice: one Sedan generation from 2021-05-01, four versions, FWD only. Prices are not in this catalogue. The arithmetic on the given numbers points to the 1.0 MT 90 hp as the version that improves acceleration without raising mixed fuel use or kerb weight; the other three each trade something measurable — time, fuel, or mass — for either a lower power rating, a Variable gearbox, or 10 extra horsepower that does not change the 11.7 s 0–100 figure.