Renault Koleos Expression 2015 Review

Renault Koleos Expression
Road Test

The SUV sales boom means that vehicles like the Renault Koleos still have an important role to play. More or less based on previous-generation Nissan X-TRAIL underpinnings, the Koleos' innards are old, the infotainment system feels clunky and the drive is not as finessed as its rivals. Not a great report car, but priced from $30,490 (plus on-road costs) with an automatic transmission and paired with a five-year warranty, it's still got a bit of life left.

After a quick walk-around of the Koleos SUV, the French influence in the design is apparent. Take the peculiar snout and stylised rear-end for instance. But dig a little deeper and this is one of the most un-French cars Renault makes.

It's based on Japanese [Nissan] underpinnings and is built in South Korea… but for some buyers that may not be such a bad thing.

Indeed, the Koleos fulfils its function as a high-riding mode of transport adequately. It's easy to get in and out of, simple to drive, has a good deal of modern conveniences and safety features, plus it feels relatively well-bolted together.

This $30K-ish model gets 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails as standard, and from some angles doesn't look like an eight-year-old urban cruiser.

Highlights include the cabin decor, whose swooping dash design makes a positive first impression and the HVAC controls are likewise neat and tidy; they beckon interaction (and somehow belie the car's age).

Standard features like dual-zone climate control and a reversing camera are nice touches too.

The only conspicuous issue with the cockpit is the tiny sat nav screen. I found it difficult to read, and the controller-based input system is far from class-leading. In fact it's probably the worst I've used. The 7.0-inch screen is touch active but it's quite a stretch to reach and not very safe to use while driving… unless you sit with the steering wheel embedded in your torso or have go-go Gadget arms.

Wander round to the car's rump and the ergonomics are better; loading and unloading goods is easy with the boot floor at an ideal height. I really appreciated the split-opening tailgate, where smaller items require only half the tailgate to be released. Cargo space is okay at 450 litres and the folding/sliding rear seats liberate more room, collapsing almost completely flat via levers from the boot.

Occupant room is good for driver and front passenger but I found the back seat (head and leg room mainly) left me wanting. It isn't painfully cramped, just not as commodious as most other SUVs in its class. Comfort levels are middle of the road, with decent but flat seat cushioning and cushy ride comfort.

As mentioned operation of the Koleos is uncomplicated: slot the automatic gearbox into 'D' and the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine dashes into action. There's a lot of initial response and acceleration from standstill to about 40km/h is vigorous.

There's a strangely addictive, frenetic manner in the way the Koleos motivates initially, its 126kW and 226Nm transferring to the front wheels with zest. In urban situations it's not a bad runner and the continuously variable transmissions (CVT) is well matched to the engine.

It can also tow up to 2000kg (braked), which is pretty good for a non-turbo motor.

But at slow speeds in built-up areas its competitors offer smoother, more progressive motivation. The Koleos' itchy-trigger-finger feel at slower speeds can sometimes result in understeer (even wheel-spin, and not the good type) as opposed to a swift but smooth getaway from a T-intersection. And it feels ponderous on flowing corners, let alone tight and twisty roads.

The powertrain also falls down is when you need to overtake at freeway speeds or simply want to nail the throttle from standstill to 80km/h or higher. It gets very raspy as the revs rise, loud, and certainly feels as though it's nearing its used-by date.

It just doesn't have the refinement we've come to expect from new SUVs in this class.

Renault claims a fuel consumption figure of 9.3L/100km (I managed 11.9L) which is not great. It emits a whopping 223g/km of CO2 making it dirtier than some V8s, highlighting in no uncertain terms the age of the powertrain.

That said, it won’t get upset on a diet of regular petrol (91 RON ULP), saving you some cash at the bowser.

So the Renault Koleos is old and a bit haggard – now one of the oldest SUVs available in Australia. But there are redeeming features. It's a practical wagon that would ideally suit a small family, it's easy to drive and the five-year warranty (and five-year roadside assist) adds peace of mind if bits start falling off.

With competition in the Australian marketplace so strong – few other markets in the world have 67 new car brands for sale – the Koleos doesn't have it easy. But it's doing something right, its low price seeing sales up by eight per cent year on year, with 1243 owners taking delivery thus far in 2015.

If you're keen on a five-seat SUV that looks a little different from the rest, the Koleos may suit. It blends Korean build-quality with Japanese engineering and French design.

It's well off the pace of its rivals in most respects but with a bit of haggling at the showroom, very good deals can be had on the Renault Koleos.

2015 Renault Koleos Expression pricing and specifications:
Price: $30,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 9.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 223g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

Also consider:
>> Ford Kuga (from $27,190 plus ORCs)
>> Nissan X-TRAIL (from $27,990 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-5 (from $27,490 plus ORCs)