Renault Lodgy review, test drive

Like in the Duster, you still get a dose of turbo lag that you have to learn to drive around, and a slightly heavy clutch. However, despite these, there’s little doubt that the Renault powertrain is the best in its class. The engine is really smooth, it revs freely, and though the power delivery may not be as linear as Honda’s i-DTEC motor, it has a lot more punch which makes it effortless to drive. And, the tall sixth gear makes highway cruising a breeze.

The Lodgy, like the Duster, has a superbly pliant ride. It doesn’t have the independent rear suspension of the AWD Duster, but its longer wheelbase gives it superb stability. The Lodgy feels very planted in a straight line, and though it’s no benchmark in agility, it steers with remarkable confidence for a car of this size riding on seemingly small wheels. It was amply clear, even after our short test drive around the Renault test track, that this is one of the best driving MPVs in India.