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The latest addition to the Renault crossover range is the Koleos. This is the big, grown-up older brother to the Kaptur and Kadjar. The smaller ones have been a success for Renault in their respective categories with their funky styling and fun interiors. The Koleos is a very different kettle of fish with its grown-up styling and serious specifications.
On the road
The Koleos comes with two different engine options – a 130bhp 1.6l diesel and a 175bhp 2l diesel. On the test day, a chance to drive both was afforded me.
Firstly, the higher-powered version was brought out for a spin; this one came in the higher signature specification, an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.
On the move, the engine pulled well and moved down the road swiftly.
The automatic gearbox was smooth and seemed to choose the right gear for most situations unlike some of the autos on the market.
On the classic Irish back road, the Koleos soaked up the bumps and humps comfortably but was quite wallowy when pushed on around the twisty stuff.
This is to be expected as it is a large car that is very much marketing itself at the luxury motorway cruising sector.
Once out on the motorway, the big Renault really came into its own – the 175hp engine got up to motorway speed with ease and cruised very comfortably and quietly at the national limit.
This car comes with lane assist and adaptive cruise control at all specification levels – both handy features when used correctly.
Once in the lower horsepower version, which came as a two-wheel-drive with a six-speed manual box, this will probably be the big seller on the Irish market.
Out on the road, the two-wheel-drive version seemed to have more responsive steering but other than that there was very little difference between it and the more powerful one.
The power difference was barely noticeable, whether this was due to power being soaked up by the automatic gear box or the fact that with the manual, you can choose the correct gear at all times.
Off road
There was an opportunity to bring the four-wheel-drive Koleos around an off-road track. I will admit that I wasn’t confident that it was going to be world beating in the rough stuff. From the minute I engaged the auto four-wheel-drive and moved off, my mind was changed. Over the first obstacle, the Koleos cocked a wheel and carried on manfully.
From this point on, the big Renault was an engaging off-road drive. Both inclines and declines were managed with ease. Even without a descent control system, the Koleos had no issue with steep declines and when facing into steep but not cliff-like ascents it scrambled up them with ease with just a bit of right boot.
The Koleos was very manoeuvrable and was brilliantly capable on the rough stuff.
Technology and interior
From the driver aids mentioned above to the dual zone climate control, the Renault is packed with nice features.
The Koleos comes with Android Auto and Apple car play as standard on the R-link2 multimedia system. This system comes with an 8in display on the Dynamic S Nav specification and the 8.7in portrait touchscreen as seen in the new Megane and Scenic on the Signature Nav specification. Sitting in the Renault is comfortable, whether with the full leather in the higher specification or the part leather in the lower specification. Leg room in the back is sizeable and would comfortably take three adults on a long journey.
The boot space of the Koleos is big and very practical with its level load area and powered opening and closing on the higher-specified machines.
Verdict
The Koleos is a nice new entrant to this sector, which includes some serious heavyweight competition, with the Skoda Kodiaq and Hyundai Sante Fe being the class leaders at the minute. It seems to more than stand up to them at first viewing.
It is packed with technology and has two nice engine and gearbox options.
Renault is aiming this at the executive market and is therefore not offering a seven-seat option unlike its main competitors. The Koleos is currently arriving in dealerships around the country and will make good in-roads into the market with its grown-up quality feel and finish.
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