Renault Koleos range streamlined
Mid-size French SUV’s diesel dropped and all-paw choices reducedThe turbo-diesel engine option has been axed from the Renault Koleos mid-size five-seat SUV range as part of its midlife update.
Traction fans will also find their choices more limited, with only the top-spec Intens offering 4x4-i all-wheel drive.
There are now four full-time models in the 2020 Renault Koleos range, down from five previously.
However, the Koleos continues with three permanent equipment grades; Life, Zen and Intens. All of them are powered by a carry-over 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine mated with a CVT automatic transmission.
Pricing starts at $32,490 plus on-road costs for the new Koleos Life, a rise of $1500. The Zen is up $500 to $35,990, while Intens AWD pricing remains unchanged.
The $42,990 FWD Intens is a new model, while the AWD Zen has been dropped, along with the AWD Intens with its 2.0-litre 130kW/380Nm turbo-diesel, which was the most expensive model in the old range.
“You really see the demand for diesel in Australia is going down,” Renault Australia boss Anouk Poulman told carsales.com.au.
“Even in my two-and-a-half years in Australia you see a trend that I have seen in Europe many years ago.
“There is much more talk about electrical vehicles, even if the sales are not there yet.”
The range rationalisation also reflects a desire by Renault Australia to streamline its model line-ups, something we’re reported here in relation to next year’s new-generation Clio mini and Captur small SUV.
Renault has sweetened the pot for Koleos buyers by adding the new 5:5:5 Easy Life Ownership Program, which debuted here with the recently launched Kadjar medium SUV.
The program offers a five-year/unlimited-km warranty (which was lifted to seven years during the Koleos run-out), extends capped-price servicing from three to five years (with 30,000km/12-month intervals) and roadside assist from four to five years, if the vehicle is serviced by Renault.
But as we explained here, 5:5:5 offers more transparency than most capped-price service schemes by publishing consumable costs up-front.
Five services costs $2715 including air filter, pollen filter, accessory drive belt, coolant, spark plug and brake fluid replacement.
The new Koleos can be picked from its predecessor by exterior styling tweaks such as chrome inserts, wider skid plates, redesigned 19-inch alloy wheels and new LED foglights. LED high- and low-beam headlights are optional for some models.
Inside, all Koleos now include a reclining rear bench seat, while the top-spec Intens has added a standard glass sunroof and full-screen Apple CarPlay display for the first time (although to be clear, CarPlay and Android Auto were already standard across the full range).
On sale in Australia since mid-2016, the second-generation Koleos is a close technical relation under the skin of alliance partner Nissan’s X-TRAIL. The facelifted version was released in Europe in June.
How much does the 2020 Renault Koleos cost?
Life FWD -- $32,490
Zen FWD -- $35,990
Intens 2WD -- $42,990
Intens AWD -- $45,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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