Renault Lodgy review, test drive

Renault is all set to enter the Indian MPV market with the new Lodgy in April. But how capable is this new people mover?

Published on Mar 10, 2015 11:16:00 AM

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Getting in is easy enough,the car is at just the right height for you to walk inside. Once seated, you'll notice the dashboard which is unique to the Lodgy but still feels very familiar to the Duster's. And that's not all, parts like the air-con controls and vents, gear lever, dials, stalks, steering wheel, window switches, and most of the buttons are lifted from the recent AWD version of the SUV. Even the front seats seem to be identical, though these are tastefully upholstered in quilted and perforated leather, which look quite plush. The other elements that help up the premium feel in the Lodgy's cabin are the dashboard’s brown and beige two-tone colour scheme and the glossy piano black centre console with silver accents.

It’s a pretty practical cabin too, with each row getting two bottle holders and a 12V charging socket of its own. The second row also has small tray tables that fold up from the back of the front seats and each comes equipped with a cupholder. At the front, the glovebox is a bit small, but there’s an uncovered recess just above it, as well as a shallow covered bin on the top of the dashboard that’s good for small knick-knacks. However, up front, the cupholders are small and shallow.

This top-spec RxZ, has, by segment standards, a good amount of equipment. Starting with the touchscreen unit that’s been plucked from the Duster — it houses USB and aux inputs (no CD player), as well as satellite navigation. It also comes with a rear-view camera and rear parking sensor, handy on a vehicle as massive as this. Of note, the roof-mounted air-con system has been specially developed for the Indian Lodgy and it gets dedicated air-con vents for the rear two rows.