Renault Koleos 2016 Review

The second-generation Koleos looks the goods in terms of styling and backs it up with what is arguably the roomiest cabin in its class. And, although the Nissan X-TRAIL based mid-size SUV doesn’t bring any major drivetrain changes other than the current non-availability of a turbo-diesel, it does come across as a more refined performer. Apart from the continuously variable transmission, there’s more to like than dislike. The new Koleos opens at a competitive $29,990 (plus on-road costs).

As SUV-makers constantly leapfrog each other and set new benchmarks with the arrival of each new contender, the time spent by any particular vehicle at the top of the mid-size list can often be short-lived.

So when Renault introduced its “all-new” Koleos SUV to Australia in September 2016, the enthusiasm about various aspects of its claimed segment supremacy was given due attention.

Central to these is that the new car is much roomier: In fact the company says the Korean-built Koleos, with 77mm more rear kneeroom than before, offers class-leading cabin space. And the maximum load area is at the front of a pack barking at the heels of the Nissan X-TRAIL (with which the Renault shares an awful lot).

A focus has been on upgrading safety too – although unfortunately some things aren’t even optional in the base ($29,990 before ORCs) Life variant.

Among the potentially life-saving systems are autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot, lane-departure and forward-collision warning, and a sensor system that runs around the perimeter of the vehicle to warn the driver of anything he or she might be about to inadvertently contact.

All this stuff is standard on the flagship Intens variant and some of it is optional on the mid-spec Zen – although we’ll make our regular observation suggesting that available safety tech (and the comment is far from being applicable only to Renault) should be standard, not optional, on all variants regardless of cynical price-containing strategies.

Otherwise the yet to be ANCAP-rated Koleos, at all levels, gets a pretty predictable list of safety elements: Six airbags, stability control, electronic brake-force distribution and anti-lock brakes.

In this review we are combining Intens and Zen – the former in un-optioned (AWD) form and the latter with front-drive ticked in the options list – and it’s clear from first viewing that the up-spec Intens is rather more flash. It comes with abundant chrome and glitzy alloy wheels which, like the Zen, measure 18 inches but get a different Argonaut two-tone spoke pattern.

The mid-spec Zen’s standard equipment adds to the base Life variant’s standard equipment (tyre-pressure monitoring, reversing camera and cornering-function front foglights) with 7.0-inch touch-screen sat-nav, faux-leather seat trim, heated front seats (power adjustable on the driver’s side), push-button ignition and an electric park brake.

The premium Intens model goes for broke with a panoramic sunroof, auto-dip LED headlights, programmable remote engine start-up that automatically pre-heats the interior on cold mornings, 12-speaker (plus woofer) BOSE audio system, real leather, power adjustment plus seat cooling for front passengers and an oversize Tesla-style (though much smaller) 8.7-inch touchscreen. The lack of a memory function for the driver’s seat and auto-down for the driver’s door window only are unexpected omissions.

The Intens also gets a self-parking system, as well as a powered tailgate that swings into action via the waving of a foot beneath the rear bumper.

The Koleos is a five-seat-only propostion.

The Koleos is undoubtedly a step above what you’d normally expect from a mid-size SUV in terms of interior space. Leg-stretching room in the back seat is virtually one class up and, with the wide-opening doors, it’s easy to get in and out of, too.

Although you’d never say they were uncomfortable, the seats themselves tend to feel a bit flat and don’t provide a lot of lateral support and, unfortunately, the up-down front cushion adjustment comes minus a tilt function.

But the presentation, although there’s not exactly a profusion of soft-touch vinyl (and in the places where it does show up it’s only minimally compliant), is an acceptable blend of style and function with generally decent ergonomics – apart from the audio volume controls that are shared unsatisfactorily by the touchscreen and the hidden, right-hand stalk on the steering column.

The Koleos is happy to accept a fair bit of luggage too. The cargo area is quickly enlarged by the simple, one-motion back-seat folding arrangement that opens the Koleos up to a pretty generous total of 1690 litres.

Renault claims a lot for its lightly re-worked (power and torque figures are unchanged at 126kW at 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4400rpm) long-stroke 2.5-litre powerplant – shared with the Nissan X-TRAIL – that ekes out a bit more fuel economy. The minimal changes include a higher 9.6:1 compression ratio, lighter mechanical components and a general friction-reduction programme.

Linked with the latest XTRONIC continuously variable transmission (CVT), the four-cylinder petrol does a solid job of propelling the Koleos. But, if Renault’s claims about the transmission combining the best characteristics of a CVT and a regular auto are to carry any weight, you would have to ignore the rising cacophony from the engine as the Koleos works its way up a highway incline with engine speed ramping up to maintain pace.

And the similarly-raucous, constant-rpm roar when the accelerator is flattened from a standing start. The manual override helps and, when driven more sedately, the whole thing clams down. But in the end the XTRONIC CVT doesn’t flatter the engine and is not a particularly pleasant aspect of the Koleos.

The economy-encouraging ECO Coaching system that advises and scores the driver on his or her efficiency behind the wheel is novel at first but, in our case, not really a contributor to lowering consumption figures below what we’d normally achieve with a bit of applied consciousness (Renault does claim, however, that use of the system can result in economy improvements of as much as 25 per cent. Depends on the base you are starting from, I guess).

Although we didn’t get a representative consumption figure for the AWD Intens, maybe our better-than-official figure of 7.7L/100km for the two-wheel drive Zen is some indication of the car’s potential.

For those wanting a torque-enhanced conventional auto-transmission diesel drivetrain, any fuel economy concerns will be addressed with the arrival of an oil-fired Koleos around mid-2017.

In terms of abilities to flatten bumps and carve corners, the new model does pretty well with relatively quick, lightly-weighted electric-assisted steering (three turns from lock-to-lock), comfort-oriented 225/60-series tyres and a nicely absorbent suspension. The Koleos is thoroughly competitive in its class and unlikely to throw up any surprises in terms of either ride quality, in-cabin quietness or its ability to fling with relative aplomb from corner to corner.

Renault says the Koleos is better off-road too, as ground clearance has been bumped from 185mm to 210 to complement the all-mode AWD system that automatically and progressively invokes the rear differential when necessary.

The system includes a dash-operated switch that enables the driver to switch between front-drive and locked-in 4WD as well. Like the Nissan X-TRAIL, the Koleos is a little closer than most mid-size SUVs to a proper off-road 4WD – but only a little.

And that about sums it up for the new-generation Koleos.

The first-generation was neither particularly notable, nor a noticeable presence on the sales charts. For the new model, it’s too early to speculate but there’s no question it’s certainly got a lot more potential.

The French company believes in the new Koleos enough that, once the diesel arrives, it expects it to become the biggest seller on the Australian Renault fleet.

2016 Renault Koleos Zen pricing and specifications:
Price: $33,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 188g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2016 Renault Koleos Intens pricing and specifications:
Price: $43,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 192g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Nissan X-TRAIL (from $27,990 plus ORCs)
>> Hyundai Tucson (from $28,590 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Tiguan (from $31,990 plus ORCs)