Bucket Seat: Renault Koleos

When someone mentions medium to large SUV's,  the Renault name isn't the first one rolling off your tongue as a suggestion to get one, well that is possibly due to the fact they only have one model in that segment, namely the Koleos. The French manufacturer stood firm with its decision to keep this model on their showroom floors locally and only after really paying attention when driving did I realise there is a good number of them on the roads. This is the 3rd time I've had the Koleos on test in the past 4 years and to be 100% honest, I really enjoyed my time with it. There were a few things that did bother me, mostly that annoying CVT automatic gearbox but other than that, it's a solid vehicle. The updates that came with it have been minor to say the least so when the latest model came rolling into my driveway last month, I was intrigued to see what changed. 

DESIGN

This Renault Koleos design platform has been around for a while and like I said earlier, it's received a few updates along its journey but it still maintains that classy French sophisticated look. This latest update see's minor revisions to the front with the added chrome and silver accents on the grille and bottom bumper. The headlights now come in LED with LED daytime running lights and indicators housed in the iconic C shaped lights. The rear lights also get the new LED treatment and look magnificent when illuminated at night. The rest of the car remains pretty much the same, it's not timeless but at the same time looks more classy than the modern and sharp designs we're seeing from a lot of the Chinese brands coming into the market, while I wouldn't call it French flair, there is definitely an element of class and a bit of executive to it, making it very pleasing on the eye. The Koleos has a 210mm ride height, giving it that full SUV look and while it's design language has similarities to other models in the Renault line-up, especially the Megane, the Koleos still has that sense of uniqueness to it. Previous models I tested were in silver and blue, this particular model was solid white, I thought it would be boring but in the metal it did suit the car rather well. 

PERFORMANCE

Powered by the 2.5L, in-line 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine, the motor produces 126kW of power and 233Nm of torque. Not sterling figures for an SUV this size and while its fine when there's just you driving around in it, soon as you get a cabin full of people with some luggage, it does become noticeably sluggish. Renault has changed the gearbox to a new X-Tronic CVT gearbox that does feel a bit different and better than the older version, I know many locals aren't a fan of it the CVT, it tends to work given the type of car and application and that is why many brands still swear by it. The Koleos does give you the option to switch to manual mode to create the feeling of gears should there be a need for it. The cars driving and handling is superb, with the high ground clearance and large tyres, the drive feel of the car is smooth and refined with minimal road noise in the cabin. Renault claim an 8.1L per 100km average and during my seven days with the car, it was pretty bang on to that which is pretty impressive for a large SUV like this and being front wheel drive. Towing capacity on the Koleos is up to 2000kg's, which is also decent but with a front wheel drive car, it could be tricky.

COMFORT

The interior remains largely unchanged which is a good thing in most aspects but also a bit disappointing in others. It's a very stylish interior with high quality materials being used. Lots of soft leather, nice stitching, good quality plastics and piano black finishing, the build quality is faultless but while the safety options have increased, the tech stayed the same which is the disappointing part for me. The Koleos still comes with the 7-inch R-Link 2 touch screen with the thick piano black border. A 9 or 10-inch screen would have been nice but what would have been ever better is if they upgraded to the latest Renault OS that comes in the new Clio and Captur, but maybe they saving that update for the brand new model which I'm not sure when we will be seeing it break cover. It has built-in mobile apps which can only be accessed via USB B cables, so you know the tech is a bit dated but the main thing is that it works I guess. The Koleos has dual climate control which is control by the two large dial controllers on the dash. The car comes with Renault's trademark card key, which has built-in proximity sensor that still is one of the best from the all the brands on the market. The space in the second row seats is more than decent with me fitting quite comfortably behind the driver seat after I adjusted the seat to my driving preference. Luggage space is a great too with the trunk having a 464L capacity, complete with automatic tailgate to make it easier for you to load and off load. 

VERDICT

While the Koleos is a bit dated in terms of tech and styling, but it still remains a decent offering from the French brand as it offers the minimalist a decent option on the SUV front. The car is comfortable and practical, which is why there still remains a market for it in the current climate. There are certain people who don't care for the fancy stuff and overly complicated bells and whistles that is coming in with the latest trends of vehicles and this Koleos is perfect for those individuals. While this could be this current shape last hurrah, it's the perfect way to bow out from the market, with Renault bringing timely updates to it, it just made the car get better and better over the time with this latest iteration being their pièce de résistance. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.5L 16V 4cylinder NA
Gear Box	X-tronic CVT
Torque	233Nm
Power	126W
0-100km/h	9.5 seconds
Price	R596,999*

*base price 

Bucket Seat: Renault Koleos

Renault like many other manufacturers have their affordable cars which roll off a certain platform and have similarities along the lines of shared engines and chassis, then they have the premium cars which again, do share similarities here and there, whether it be engines, looks or tech but each has characteristics that make that model standout from the others. One of my favourite models from the French brand spent a week with me recently, and while I used it for my normal commutes, I also had the opportunity to take on a long distance trip, something which needs to be done on larger SUV's like the Koleos. The particular model I had was the new Dynamic CVT 4x4, which offers some off-roading features that enable you to take the Koleos on more adventurous routes rather than just the ones with smooth surfaces. 

DESIGN

While this shape has been around for a few years now, it really is a stunner, this particular model in "Dune Beige" stood out more than normal and sparkled in the suns rays. It encapsulates the brands design language so perfectly. It looks like they just took lights from the Megane and slapped in on a bigger body but on closer inspection you can notice the differences in size and details that make this more than just a copy and paste job. The lines of the Koleos flow effortlessly along its huge chassis, caressing the large bulges that house the wheels but rather than a harsh indentation, its transitions are smooth and faultless. The C shaped lights really are an eye catching feature on the front end which ties into the large grille that has the Renault emblem bold and center on the top of the frame. Being an SUV, Renault have added some scuff plates on the front and rear finished off in brushed aluminum. There is also some nice chrome detailing which borders and enhances details on the exterior. The rear difussor is finished off neatly with large twin tail pipes. In the interior, the design us much of the same with the center unit being the main feature that houses the large infotainment unit. Everything is well laid out and looks invited to all occupants. 

PERFORMANCE

Powered by a normally aspirated 2.5L petrol engine in a world where everyone is opting for turbo powered motors may be frowned upon but in actual fact this engine was quite brilliant to serve its purpose. Producing 126kW with a peak power rating at 6,000RPM, I hardly ever found the need to stretch it to that extremes as the power on tap was more than adequate, this was also assisted by its torque which comes in at 233Nm. These figures won't light up many peoples eyes but trust me, given the purpose of a vehicle like the Koleos, it was sufficient to tackle anything that came its way. The car is fitted with Renault's new X-Tronic 7-speed CVT gearbox, yes that dreaded three letter acronym normally doesn't sit well with many but you have to ask yourself, if it is that bad, why are manufacturers still opting to use the technology? Yes, there is tweaking that needs to be done in certain instances but overall, I quite enjoyed the transitions between gears. There was the odd occasions when down-changing that the gearbox would get confused for a split second which would see it drop from 5th to 2nd but that was vary rarely. While Renault claim that the extra-urban cycle economy comes in at 6.9L per 100km, with my journey the Koleos delivered 7.8L per 100km which isn't the worst but quite far from what the brochure says. 

COMFORT

I cannot fault the comfort of this vehicle, infact every Koleos I've driven has been nothing but a pleasure to sit in. I love how well everything is laid out and apart form that, the quality of materials that are used in the car just gives you that premium, luxury feel. This particular model came in the standard black. leather and plastic trim but with some faux wood accents along the dash and doors. While these did look nice, I didn't quite like the feel to them as they felt a bit plastic. The ambient lighting in the Koleos is gentle and not brash like most other cars that we're seeing. End of the day you want to sit in a relaxed environment, not one that mimics a nightclub. The seats are big and comfy with ample leg room for front and rear passengers. The front passenger and driver have dual-zone climate control which is adjusted via the large touch screen as well as the dials that sit below it. The occupants in the back don't receive their own zone of climate control but they do have dual USB ports to power their devices. The Koleos does come with built-in mobile apps for CarPlay and Android Auto which is loaded by plugging in the phone to the front USB port. 

VERDICT

Overall the Koleos is a no fuss kind of SUV, its large, practical and functional. It has loads of luggage space, more than enough space for a family to travel on long distances. It makes cruising enjoyable again, with this 4x4 offering it allows you to venture off the beaten track to do more exploring as well as enjoy your surroundings while doing it from comfort and luxury. It really is one of my favourite larger SUV's on the market, what would make this model even better is a diesel engine offering but for now this petrol variant is pretty good too.  

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.5L N/A Petrol
Gear Box	7-Speed CVT
Torque	233Nm
Power	126kW
0-100km/h	9.8 seconds
Price	R554,900

Bucket Seat: Renault Koleos AWD

The new Renault Koleos was my last test car of 2019 and while I was rather used to the budget type Renault crossovers like the Sandero Plus and the Duster, getting a premium SUV from the brand was a good change to see how it would differ from the cheaper options. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Duster or Sandero Plus, they all have their own charm to them, the Duster 4x4 being one of the most affordable and capable options in the current market is just one of the reasons that make it a great car but today's review is about the Koleos so let me not divulge on the others. It's the first time I've driven this model from the French motoring manufacturer and to say my week was pleasant would be an understatement. You see, I was in the midst of moving office the versatility of the Koleos really came in handy for this period as I will explain a bit later. 

DESIGN

The changes from the old to the new Koleos is quite big but at first it did take me a while since the overall shape of the vehicle still sort of looked the same. Massive revisions to the front are the key standout with the new Renault design language for the headlights and grille. While the longitudinal headlights remained but with a new sharper edgy design followed by the extension daytime running light like we've seen in the Megane. In fact the rear end light design is almost a carbon copy of the Megane as well, but obviously a bit bigger to fit the frame of this SUV. The styling you can say is very European and with the colour scheme and contrast with the chrome and silver accents gives it that luxury feel. The sort of look you want from a premium SUV. The overall shape is neat with some well balanced lines and creases in the right places. It's a great looking car from the outside and when you step inside it just gets better. The layout of the cabin is very aesthetically pleasing with a good use of materials to differentiate the various parts of the dash board. The infotainment cluster is smack bang in the center and is flush, again just like the Megane but I think the Koleos screen might be a bit bigger. The design of the shell makes the doorways have quite spacious openings so you won't find yourself hitting your head on the roof on the way in or out of the cabin. 

PERFORMANCE

The Koleos comes with one engine for the range, it's fitted with a 2.5L 16V naturally aspirated engine which delivers a decent 126kW and torques max out at 233Nm. The transmission comes in the form of a new X-Tronic CVT 7-speed gear box which works really well with the engine. Delivering optimal power when needed and really helps with the fuel consumption on a vehicle of this size. Claimed consumption of 8.3L per 100km, I managed to get below 10L per 100km in my week of mixed driving which consisted of a lot of short distance driving. I have to say, driving a car like this has it's perks because of the extra height compared to your normal sedan, your view of the road is much better and with the creature comforts offered in the Koleos, one doesn't feel tired after driving. The driving style and modes are pretty normal to every other cars on the road with each having its effect on the vehicles efficiency, I tend to keep the cars on a normal or auto setting for most of the time which works well for me. 

COMFORT

The Koleos is a very spacious car, I'd say you can fit five adults comfortably in there with ample space for luggage in the boot. Premium leather seats add to the comfort with soft touch materials for the roof and doors. Dual zone climate control for driver and passengers are sort of the norm with cars of today, I feel having the 3rd zone is still sitting at the premium luxury level even though those are coming with the 4 zone aircons. I feel with children being the predominate passengers at the rear it could become an issue with fiddling. Ride quality of the Koleos is quite great, the car came fitting with 18" rims but with the wide profile tyres and suspension it does deliver a very smooth ride. While the Koleos was all wheel drive, most buyers would be suited to urban driving with small chances of going off road but it's nice to now the vehicle has that capability. The all wheel drive also plays its part on the tar roads, in cases of slippery surfaces and rain. 

TECHNOLOGY

The Koleos has a fair bit of technology, as mentioned early the large 7" infotainment touchscreen with R-Link 2 which provides you with all the new on-board experiences that Renault has to offer. It's a complete intuitive display that's user friendly and has built in apps like Apply Carplay and Android Auto. The Koleos comes with a premium Arkamys 3D Sound System which is pretty decent in my books, not enough bass but that's just the Indian me talking. I really like the accent lighting in the cabin, not only limited to the doors but also the instrument cluster housing. The colours change per driving mode you're in. The instrument cluster itself is also digital and displays other relevant info. The audio control is still located on that weird stalk on the right side of the steering wheel even though the there is allocated buttons on the steering wheel, that one still baffles me about Renault. The Koleos comes with keyless entry, the key is that card type thing which is pretty cool but does feel a bit weird. It comes with Pure Vision LED headlights as well as the LED daytime running lights. Electronic folding mirrors and anti dazzle review mirror. 

VERDICT

Overall the Renault Koleos is certainly a worthy shout for it's segment. It has all the bells and whistles you'd associate with a premium SUV and really is a great match up for its German rivals. While and introduction of a diesel engine might be welcomed, this petrol one isn't too bad for now. I spoke about the versatility of the Koleos at the beginning of this review.  Getting the extra space required was quick and easy, dropping down the seats to accommodate larger items in the back was a breeze as well as putting it back up.  It really is a great offering from Renault and a refreshing model to see in their SUV/ Crossover stable, something to show they can compete in the premium segment.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.5L 16V in-line 4 cylinder
Gear Box	7 speed X-Tronic CVT
Torque	233Nm
Power	126kW
Consumption	8.3L/100km
Price	R499,990*

*Base Price