It has a generally pleasant interior which looks good, yet lacks the build quality of the best models in the class. Some of that deficit is made up for through its excellent ride and handling characteristics; it’s not a sporty car in any way, but as a swift cruiser it’s excellent.

Our tester’s engine-gearbox combo, a 200 PS 1.6-liter turbo hooked up to Renault’s EDC dual-clutch seven-speed, proved more than adequate to move the car around. It doesn’t turn the Talisman into a sports car, but you can make the occasional quick getaway in it.

One highlight of the whole package, at least one featuring the optional adaptive dampers, was ride comfort which is close to what you remember French cars of old to be like.