Faults:

The particulate filter gets clogged easily.

EGR valve accumulates carbon deposits during city driving, and sometimes causes a slight loss of power.

Minor parking sensor malfunctions and false dashboard alerts related to the electrical system.

The 110 hp engine falls short when overtaking or driving with a full load.

General Comments:

The car features a fairly evolutionary and conservative design; it is a clear successor to the Laguna, I would even say it is aesthetically more traditional, something I personally love. It looks great; despite being a very modern car, it has a touch of the 80s and 90s about it.

The interior looks stunning; the dashboard is dominated by an 8.7-inch vertical central screen that houses most of the car's functions. The materials combine soft-touch surfaces in the upper areas with hard plastics in the lower sections—a choice that is noticeable to the touch.

In terms of space, it performs quite well. The rear seats are spacious, offering plenty of legroom and sufficient headroom even for tall adults. It is a suitable car for families, long trips, and hassle-free use with child seats.

In the city, the car feels large. Its dimensions make maneuvering and parking difficult, though electronic aids and the camera make the task easier. The suspension absorbs potholes and speed bumps well, enhancing daily comfort, albeit at the cost of a somewhat soft response.

On the open road, the car is stable and predictable. It holds its line well on highways and inspires confidence, even though the steering is not particularly precise or communicative. It does not encourage dynamic driving, and when pushed, the vehicle quickly reminds you that it is designed for a different purpose. Passengers enjoy a comfortable ride, with good sound insulation and ample space, although the middle rear seat is a bit tight.

What impressed me most about the car is that it is incredibly fuel-efficient; it doesn't even reach 4 l/100 km—excellent figures for a vehicle of this size. You can drive long distances on the highway at speeds of 130–140 km/h while consuming very little fuel.

It is comfortable, spacious, and easy to drive; although the engine is a bit underpowered (which is noticeable when overtaking) it is not a major issue, and you won't have any serious trouble overtaking a truck on the highway.

For drivers like me who value space, comfort, and understated styling, it is a great option. Less so for those looking for groundbreaking design, a sporty feel, or a particularly intuitive interior.

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Very good on fuel, very good comfort with both seats and suspension. My version is the top of the range, the only exceptions being the sunroof and adaptive cruise control.

One piece of advice: If your car is equipped with 18” or 19" wheels, just get rid of them. I installed the 17" rims and wheel (as described in the Talisman’s user manual, should I be precise) and the car became much smoother. The only reproach that I may have is the engine being a tiny bit noisy, especially above 2500 rpm and at lower speeds. That said, if you let the automatic gearbox do it by itself and drive relatively smoothly, you’ll rarely see above 2250 rpm, or just on occasions for a limited time.

The car is equipped with the 4 control system (4 wheel steer) and having owned a basic model Talisman (with the same engine type and manual gearbox) before this one, I’d say it would be an understatement to call the 4 wheel steer a gadget. It really makes things easier in every kind of parking situation or finding a way through narrow streets. Basically, the 4.87 m car handles and maneuvers like a 4.50 m one.

The luggage compartment is huge but lacks a bit of height where you may find yourself in situations where you cannot get some type of suitcases in an upright position.

The car is actually bigger than it looks. When parked side by side with a new Mercedes C series in a parking lot, the C series looks really tiny. The fuel tank is only 44 liters with the 4 steer system. However, the consumption being 7.5 to 8 lt/100 km in really heavy city traffic and around the 5 lt/100 km mark at any speed as long as it’s flowing and cruising, I believe 44 liters is largely enough.