Hyundai Tucson v Renault Koleos 2016 Comparison

Hyundai Tucson Elite v Renault Koleos Intens
Comparison Test

A Korean car built in Europe? Or a European car built in Korea?

We truly live in a global village, given the Hyundai Tucson tested here is built in the Czech Republic and the Renault Koleos is built by Samsung in South Korea. But whatever your preconceptions, rest assured, both cars are solidly built.

The Tucson has been on sale in Australia for a little while, but the Koleos is a very recent arrival. French design flair is allied with the known-quantity engineering of the Nissan X-Trail. Similarly dependable mechanicals in the Tucson are enhanced by the local suspension calibration.

Which one is more agreeable on home turf however?

Why are we comparing them?
Koleos has enjoyed a small but loyal following since it was released here back in 2008. This new model is undeniably a better car, offering broader appeal for families.

So where the previous generation of Koleos was a niche-selling model, this new car promises to be much more mainstream. And the best way to assess it for that is by comparing it with the very middle-of-the-road Tucson, which has been earning real plaudits as a follow-up to the ix35 it replaces.

Will the Tucson highlight the quirkiness of the Koleos, or does the Renault make the Hyundai look bland?

Neither car is pitched specifically at off-road fans, although both cars are moderately capable out in the bush.

More important to buyers is each car's packaging. Both are designed appropriately to accommodate growing families, and each vehicle brings a modicum of technically advanced comfort, convenience and safety features at an affordable price.

Target buyers are most likely to be up to middle age with two to three kids well into their teenage years. They'll live in the suburbs and need a car with a compact footprint, but also featuring roominess and touring ability for weekend trips away.

Starting from $28,590, the Tucson in this instance is priced at $39,750, with $595 extra for metallic paint taking it over $40,000. Sadly, this is the lowest price point for a Tucson powered by the excellent 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and driving through all four wheels.

At $29,990 the Koleos is marginally more expensive at entry level, and the flagship Koleos Intens tested tops at $43,490, with $600 more on top for metallic paint. It's over $3000 more expensive than the Tucson on test, but features loads more equipment, including driver-assist safety tech and leather upholstery throughout.

Tucson's performance and power delivery are great, and naturally complement the excellent ride/handling balance, plus steering. Fun to drive, the Hyundai also boasts a refined driveline for quiet touring. And with slightly longer travel in the front seats the Tucson is roomier in the rear.

The Koleos feels richer inside than the Tucson, even allowing for the price difference. Leather upholstery with contrast stitching is complemented by piano-black gloss lacquer. Driver-assist systems, a portrait-style infotainment screen, 12-speaker BOSE audio, full-digital instrument display, a sunroof, two USB ports and 12-volt outlet in the rear are all welcome features in the Renault.

Renault's torque peaks too high in the rev range and the CVT struggles to extract the optimal performance from the 2.5-litre engine. Ride comfort is also slightly firmer than the Tucson's, yet the Koleos doesn't steer, handle or grip any better.

The Renault came with a sunroof that encroached on the available headroom in the rear and the tailgate was a risk to people walking underneath it – even those under 180cm tall.

A sign of the Renault's left-hand drive design heritage, the driver's mirror wouldn't adjust outboard enough to eliminate the blind spot, but blind spot monitoring did compensate.

For comfort, safety and panache, the Koleos is more appealing than the Tucson. The Renault more than compensates for its higher price ($2000 extra) with driver-assist technology unavailable in the Tucson unless you step up to the Highlander – $6000 more.

But the Tucson Elite is simply more enjoyable to drive. Spend more time in traffic listening to audio and connected to the world, and the Koleos is the better alternative. Out on the open road, however, we'd choose the turbo Tucson any time – and crunch the Hyundai salesman for a Tucson Highlander at the same price as the Koleos Intens.

2016 Hyundai Tucson Elite pricing and specifications:
Price: $40,345 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 130kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 179g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2016)

2016 Renault Koleos Intens pricing and specifications:
Price: $44,090 (as tested, 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