Renault Koleos 2011 Review

Renault Koleos Series II

OVERVIEW

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Although sales in the first full year (2009) were promising, at 1016, they dropped to 816 in 2010. This year Koleos sales have slumped to 445 to the end of October; just 0.4 per cent of the compact SUV market. By comparison, its mechanical twin, the Nissan X-TRAIL sold 9774 during the same period.

Now, three years later, Koleos soldiers on with a mild makeover. Changes include styling revisions inside and out, designed to give it a classier and perhaps more conservative look in a bid to tempt more mainstream buyers.

Renault has also bolstered the value-for-money proposition, adding more standard kit including satellite navigation to compete better with a raft of keenly priced and more popular SUVs.

“We know the original Koleos was under-appreciated in Australia,” concedes Renault Australia chief Justin Hocevar. “The revisions in styling and the additional features we have loaded into it mean we will be able to attract more interest in Phase II versions.”

Externally, there’s a new Latitude sedan-style front end including slimmer headlights and one-piece chrome grille in place of the previous twin-nostril layout – which one local Renault executive suggested was on the nose (pun intended!)

All variants now feature new side mirrors with LED indicators as well as body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings. Rear styling is unchanged.

Inside, the entry-level Expression benefits from additional glitz in the form of black and aluminium look highlights and new dark charcoal cloth trim. The mid-spec Dynamique’s cabin takes it a step further with carbon fibre and aluminium-look accents, and black leather trim with sporty white stitching.

The range-topping Privilege receives graphite brushed chrome and piano black highlights and the no-cost option of a sandstone/beige interior with contrasting brown dash, steering wheel and door surrounds.

While pricing still starts at $28,490 for the base Expression 2.5-litre 4x2 with six-speed manual, the standard fitment of satellite navigation and dual climate control at no additional cost, has added a claimed $1490 in extra value.

The mid-spec Dynamique Koleos gets $3150 of extra value, though its starting price has risen by $1000, to $34,490 for the 2.5-litre 4x2 CVT (see our Koleos news story for the full pricing list). The extra kit includes an electric driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, heated side mirrors, 17-inch Alyum alloys and alarm.

The Dynamique also gets the Modularity pack (previously only standard on the top-spec Privilege) which includes handy storage and convenience items such as rear passenger underfloor compartments, rear centre armrest with storage, centre console compartment with removable bin, a third 12V socket in the rear, rear vertical air vents, rake adjustable rear seat backs, driver’s sunglass case, and a front passenger seatback that tips forward to form a table.

For the Privilege, Renault has added a claimed $2990 of gear while upping the price by just $500. New standard features include Bi-xenon headlights with fixed cornering lights and headlights washers, 18-inch Austral alloys and folding side mirrors. The Privilege package is only available in 2.5-litre 4x4 CVT form, for $44,490.

Eight paint colours are available for the Koleos including a new Cayenne Orange. All except one (white), are metallic and cost an extra $800. Other options available (on Dynamique only) include 18-inch Austral alloy wheels ($1500) and electric panoramic sunroof ($2490).

For a rundown of other standard features, refer to our original launch review.

Koleos buyers have a choice of 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine, matched to a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox, in 4x2 or 4x4 guise, or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel (available only in 4x4 guise with six-speed auto).

Diesel output is still 110kW/320Nm but “fine-tuning” has enabled significantly better fuel economy (from 8.3 to 7.6L/100km) and lower emissions (221 to 200g/km).

For those planning on using the Koleos as a tow vehicle, it’s worth noting that the braked towing capacity of petrol versions is 2000kg, whereas the single diesel option is only capable of pulling up to 1350kg.

Although a five-seater, it really only seats four average sized adults in comfort, with decent headroom, average legroom and limited shoulder room in the rear pews. The narrow, hardback middle rear seat is best utilised for its fold-down armrest with handy cup holders and storage area.

Adding to the vehicle’s functionality as a family hauler are adjustable air-con vents at the rear for keeping the kids cool. We also liked the cavernous, chilled glovebox and other ‘hidden’ compartments throughout the cabin.

One thing we didn’t particularly like was the fold-down plastic trays attached to the back of the front seats. Although potentially useful on longer trips for the young ones, they cut into valuable legroom.

We like the Koleos’ two-piece tailgate though, with drop-down lower section that doubles as a picnic tray or impromptu seating for two adults.

There are handy levers at the rear tailgate which fold down flat the 60/40 split rear seats in one action to extend the decent-sized cargo area.

Returning the seats to an upright position requires some heavy lifting though, and must be done manually in a two-stage process from either of the rear doors.

Those in the front seats are treated well with the new interior touches adding to the classy cabin feel. There’s plenty of technology for a sub $30K vehicle too, including Bluetooth audio and phone streaming along with USB and auxiliary audio connection.

While the layout is generally clean and clutter free, some of the centre stack buttons for multimedia and other functions are scattered haphazardly. The ‘remote’ control for the sat nav unit is also fiddly and is awkwardly located near the centre console. A touchscreen display would be a better option here.

Overall, though, the expansive soft touch dash, smooth leather steering wheel and other niceties like electric park brake and starter button lend it a more up market feel than some of its rivals.

While nicely cushioned with good lumbar support, some more side bolstering on the driver’s seat would have been appreciated through the corners.

Four-wheel drive versions benefit from an easy to use, three-mode 4x4 system, which also comes with hill start assist and hill descent control for more serious off-road work.

Of the 26 contenders battling for supremacy in this market, Koleos ranks 20th in year to date sales, only outselling the likes of MINI Countryman, Skoda Yeti, Ssangyong Actyon and Great Wall X200.

It’s a tough segment dominated by mostly well-established Asian brands, where Hyundai ix35, Mazda CX-7, Nissan X-TRAIL, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, together account for almost 50 per cent of overall sales.

Like the Yeti with its twin-under-the-skin Volkswagen Tiguan, the X-TRAIL based-Koleos appears to battle a perception problem in Australia. That’s despite it being built in the same country (South Korea), as the big-selling Hyundai ix35.

The Koleos has another card up its sleeve in the form of a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance, which few of its competitors can match.

In 4x2 form Koleos offered a good elevated viewing position at the wheel, and was a comfortable and refined tourer on the mostly straight stretches and freeways experienced on the drive route.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine worked well in conjunction with the smooth CVT transmission, although the engine did have to work harder up steep inclines than the diesel powerplant.

As noted in previous road tests, neither handling nor steering feel is a strongpoint, although this shouldn’t be a big issue when driven accordingly.

Barreling too hard into a corner at one stage delivered plenty of understeer and dipping under brakes; a situation less likely to occur in more car-like SUVs, such as the road-hugging Tiguan.

Ride comfort and cabin quietness is commendable though, with the plush suspension settings coping with most road irregularities without disturbing occupant comfort.

Hopping into the 4x4 diesel, the extra weight (232kg) over the petrol 4x2 was immediately noticeable, although it didn’t seem to concern the torquey diesel which provided strong if unexciting acceleration.

Surprisingly, the Koleos felt most in its element on some fast, flowing fire trails through national forest, although the graded stretches of dirt and gravel were no real test for the vehicle’s decent (for a softroader) off-road abilities.

The 225/60 Continental CrossContact LX tyres offered decent grip on the loose surface, and combined well with the 4x4 system (in full ‘LOCK’ mode) to keep the wagon under control in the slippery conditions.

For everyday driving it would be a tough choice between the two engines. Both are refined and capable, so it would come down to the fuel economy benefits of diesel and whether you need the 2000kg towing capacity of the petrol.

Price is another factor, with the only diesel option attracting a $3000 premium over the equivalent petrol version. The 4x4 auto oiler is also the second most expensive Koleos at $40,990.

Renault faces a mighty battle to convince buyers to put the fresh-faced and better equipped Koleos on their shopping lists ahead of more familiar options. Updated styling and more standard features is a good start, but whether it’s enough to turn the tide in the French car’s favour, we’ll have to wait and see…

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