Renault Koleos Intens AWD 2020 Review

When it comes to the Renault Koleos and its not-so-distant cousin, the Nissan X-Trail, it's all in the family. Or, to twist the common phrase, there are some things you can hide, but from which you can't run.

At least not in the case of the shared Renault Koleos/Nissan X-Trail SUVs from the extensive stable that forms the global Renault/Nissan alliance.

The mid-size French/Japanese SUVs may not look the same from outside but, once you're ensconced and on the move, the common DNA becomes strikingly evident.

This is both good and bad: The Nissan X-Trail's super-generous luggage space and exceptionally roomy cabin are mirrored in the Renault Koleos, which exhibits essentially the same generosity of spirit. But though entirely competent in its overall qualitative balance, the Nissan X-Trail remains a little ordinary in terms of its dynamic capabilities and operational efficiencies. It's not at the segment's cutting edge in terms of its ride and handling qualities, nor is it virtuously prudent in fuel consumption or CO2 outputs.
Ditto for the Renault Koleos.

The French approach at defining notable points of difference has been to give the mid-size SUV its own distinct visual identity, inside and out.

Towards the end of 2019, the Koleos was given an excruciatingly minor update that only the most ardent Renault aficionado would detect: aside from almost-invisible changes to the front and rear ends, the most significant new elements were the inclusion of pedestrian detection to the existing autonomous emergency braking system and a full-screen display for the already-standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Oh, and the premium-spec Intens was also gifted with a standard glass sunroof.

The model refresh was accompanied by a customer-care upgrade to Renault's new 5:5:5 Easy Life Ownership Program, which factors in a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty plus five years of capped-price servicing and five years of roadside assistance.
A funny aside: the Renault Koleos is a product of Renault Samsung's Busan plant in South Korea, whereas the Nissan is built in Japan.

The Renault Koleos reviewed here is the high-spec Intens, priced before on-road costs at $45, 490 which makes it $150 more expensive than the similarly equipped Nissan X-Trail Ti. Unlike the X-Trail Ti, the Koleos Intens is able to park itself and also sneaks ahead with standard features such as heated/cooled front seats, an electric park brake and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The recent beefing-up of warranty/servicing now equates the Koleos with the non-Gallic hordes – accompanied by five years of capped-price servicing and roadside assist, Renault's product-confidence is in full swing.

There are no surprises that the Koleos drives pretty much the same as an X-Trail. The ride is comfy enough but the seats lack lateral support, the suspension isn't really happy with sharp, small bumps and there's some roly-poly body movement if you start flinging the Renault around (like the X-Trail Ti, the Koleos Intens gets 19-inch wheels with 225/55R19 tyres). Also like the X-Trail, the steering feels a bit slow and reluctant.

There's a difference between Renault and Nissan in terms of CVT transmission behaviour, though. Our review Koleos was exasperatingly prone to the worst of CVT characteristics, eagerly slamming engine rpm up to its happiest torque zone (a bit in excess of 4000rpm) and then resolutely holding it there during acceleration. Coming with the understanding that Renault did some work on refining the transmission for the updated model, the constant-rpm racket remains so in your face that a reasonably tuned-in driver will tend to avoid, where possible, any hard acceleration. The X-Trail's Nissan-tuned CVT is altogether more pleasant to live with.

The Intens model's on-demand AWD system, identical in function to that of the Nissan X-Trail, is effective for minimal off-road adventures and is easy enough to operate. A switch on the lower dash on the right-hand side of the steering column enables selection of front-drive, auto and AWD lock modes.

Our review Koleos didn't match the fuel consumption of a recently tested Nissan X-Trail N-TREK: the Renault was good for 10.1L/100km whereas the 70kg-lighter X-Trail N-TREK managed 9.1L/100km. Neither is impressive, but the Nissan comes closer to matching the (identical) official claim of 8.3L/100km.

After an earlier update in mid-2019, the latest version of the Renault Koleos went on sale in Australia at the tail end of 2019 in four basic forms that saw AWD limited to the Intens version only, and the complete rubbing-out of diesel versions. Today there's the entry-level, front-drive-only Life ($32,490), the also front-drive mid-range Zen ($35,990), and the AWD-only top-spec Intens.

Renault hopes the upgraded model will, along with the new warranty terms, put a cracker under Koleos sales. It currently sits in 12th place in the mid-size SUV segment, behind Volkswagen Tiguan, Holden's soon to be discontinued Equinox and Ford's inexplicably slow-selling Escape.

If the Nissan X-Trail is an exceptionally well-packaged mid-size SUV, so too is the Renault Koleos. Not only do rear passengers have the opportunity, on stadium-style seats, to stretch out at will – there's also a commodious luggage area behind the rear seats where different measuring regimes give the Koleos a claimed 458 litres against the X-Trail's claimed 565 litres (which clearly factors in the lower-level compartment beneath the boot floor).

Open the Koleos up by flat-folding the 60-40 split-fold rear seats and the claim becomes an exceedingly generous 1690 litres. Unfortunately the Koleos doesn't get the lower-level Renault Kadjar's clever removable floor panels that can be vertically repositioned to provide a handy, divided luggage compartment. As for trailer lugging, the petrol Renault's claimed maximum towing capacity of two tonnes trumps the Nissan's 1.5 tonnes.

The Koleos has a tough gig facing-off against such mid-size SUV contenders as the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander – and Nissan X-Trail – but that's less to do with its capabilities than the French brand's niche status in Australia. Though the story is different in Europe, the importance of the Koleos nevertheless can't be understated here, where it's currently the company's top-selling model. Part of its strengths lie in the styling (though a bit fussy and overly chromed for some) and the inviting ambience of its interior.

In the teeming mid-size SUV segment, the Renault Koleos is naught but a bit player. When you're up against such well-established leaders, the road to greater sales is fraught with obstacles, even if you have proven, shared-model credentials, a decent warranty and the odd signs of French influence in the styling and interior decoration. A Euro badge is not always an advantage.

2020 Renault Koleos Intens AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $45,490 (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: Five-star ANCAP