Renault-Samsung SM5 -Full Model Change-

2010 Renault Samsung SM5 (L43)

The true rival to the recent Hyundai YF Sonata and the upcoming Kia K5 (Optima or Magentis) sedan is now set to prove even the smallest Korean automaker can easily rise from the everyday challenges in this economy. For Renault's Korean arm, Renault-Samsung Motors, the all-new SM5 was born.

Let us take a history class, shall we? The SM5 was originally a Nissan Cefiro based sedan with some minor alterations to the front and back. This car was launched in March 1998. Then in January 2005, a month after its big brother, the prestigious SM7 (based on the Nissan Teana) was released, the Cefiro-based SM5 was modified into a Nissan Teana-based SM5, having the design borrowed from the Teana but with different Korean aspects to fulfill customer satisfaction. Now, in January 18, 2010, the new SM5's design was original and it was not based on the Nissan Teana. This new model borrowed some aspects from the Renault Laguna, and it gives some new mods, new exterior and new interior similar to the Renault Laguna.

At its maiden appearance, most Koreans consider the SM5 as the brand's status symbol thanks to its unquestionable personality and performance. Of course, the previous design was mostly Japanese because it was an OEM version of the Teana, but now on its third generation, the SM5's design is truly Euro-Korean, thanks to appearance that looks similar to the Kia Lotze facelift, but still, it is undeniable that you want to take a test drive for your taste. As for the interior, the SM5 boasts exceptional luxury with an array of premium features such as the rear side curtains, DMB navigation system, Samsung Super Plasma Ion air con, and Arkamys 3D Sound System. These features are sure enough for the seasoned SM5 owner to take advantage of its newly evolved form.

With the CVT as its main weapon, the new SM5 is powered with the 2.0L CVTC-II L4 engine capable of releasing 141PS of power and the fuel economy of 12.1km/Litre. Sadly, the new SM5's engine was not fit enough to take down the fuel economy of the Hyundai YF Sonata and the Kia K5, which means the new SM5 has a dent on its newly found performance.

My thoughts about the SM5:
The new SM5's design was revised to be original, and it no longer became the copycat of the Japanese Nissan Teana sedan (almost, because they still selling the Teana-based SM7) that others find it confusing. I am glad to see the brand's first step to succeed from the local stage to the world stage. However, will the brand level up to become one of Korea's finest automobile manufacturers with this new form? With the pricing of about 20,800,000 - 26,500,000 Korean Won (about 900,000 - 1.2 Million Philippine Pesos), it is clearly that the SM5 is a smart buy for medium sedan consumers. Let us hope that the new SM5 will hit the European market sometime as a Renault, or we want to have our own Renault-Samsung distributor in the Philippines to experience this one-of-a-kind machine.