Renault Koleos Review Results: An Attractive Package
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The Koleos badge is one you might not see too often, but the SUV nameplate made a comeback in South Africa - affixed to the boot lid of a vehicle that appears to have more ingredients for success in the competitive SUV middle ground, where Rav4, Tiguan and Tucson rule the roost.
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For starters, the Renault Koleos for sale is a far more attractive vehicle than its croissant-mimicking predecessor, featuring clean, taut lines that are likely to appeal to buyers in this segment.
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Measuring 4,673mm, the Koleos is the longest vehicle in the Rav4 class, and it shows in its ultra-generous interior space and competitive boot space. Despite this, it is priced at the lower end of the segment, ranging from R499 900 for the 2.5 Expression CVT to R549 900 for the 2.5 Dynamique CVT and R599 900 for the 2.5 Dynamique CVT with all-wheel-drive.
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The latter was the version IOL Motoring spent a week with, but said they would agree that the front-wheel-driven Dynamique offered the best value in the range - unless, of course, you intend on doing some medium-level off-roading, in which case the Nissan sourced all-wheel drive system will do the trick for you. This AWD system offers multiple modes, these being 2WD for efficient open-road cruising, 4WD Auto that varies the front-to-rear power split based on the impending conditions, and 4WD Lock mode, which allows a 50:50 split for rougher terrain encountered below 40km/h. This vehicle’s ground clearance is also close to best in class, at 110mm.
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There’s only one engine and gearbox combination available in the Koleos variants available and this comes in the form of Nissan’s proven, 2.5-litre normally aspirated engine, mated to an X-Tronic continuously variable transmission.
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The engine produces 126kW and 233Nm, which is competitive at the base end of the segment, and the performance it delivers is adequate performance.
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The gearbox is not as bad as you might expect as, unlike older-generation CVTs, this one has built-in steps (seven in this case) that make it behave and feel more like an automatic.
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As is the case with many European vehicles, the suspension set-up in the Koleos is not really suited to South African roads, as it feels too firm for a vehicle of this nature, which is really more about hauling families in comfort than carving through corners. The road holding is neat enough though.
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The interior, as mentioned, is quite family-friendly - it’s comfortable and spacious (as well as safe thanks to its five-star EuroNCAP rating), while equipment levels are generous.
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To that effect, all models come with dual-zone climate control as well as cruise control, auto headlights and windscreen wipers, rear parking sensors and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
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The Dynamique adds leather seats with electric adjustment, blindspot detection, front and side parking sensors, reverse camera, keyless start and a larger tablet-style touch-screen that now incorporates the climate control functions. This however detracts rather than adds to the user-friendliness of the system as simple functions now need to be controlled via the screen. Renault did at least include a ‘swipe up’ shortcut to climate functions on the screen, but it’s still nowhere near as convenient as good old-fashioned rotary dials.
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The interior design and materials are of good quality and the atmosphere is lifted by a mood lighting system that offers a multitude of hues, from blue to violet and red, even yellow.
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VERDICT
Renault’s Koleos has evolved into a far more attractive package that in both size and spec terms offers a lot of vehicle for the money, regardless of which version you choose.
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Review compiled by https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/
