Renault Koleos dci 175 Signature Nav Large SUV
Koleos name resurrected to complete a three-car SUV line-up
Renault axed the first-generation Koleos in the UK in 2010, and if you’ve seen one recently, you might understand why. Renault says it was built in Korea for a Korean market and its introduction here was a knee-jerk reaction to the success of the Nissan Qashqai.
This new Koleos, however, has been built with European car buyers in mind, and with the smaller Captur and Kadjar siblings already well established, it’s the final car in the car maker’s three-strong SUV line-up.
It won’t sell in such big volumes as its siblings but it’s an important car, says Renault, for brand image and to showcase the best of what the company offers. That is certainly reflected in the interior quality and systems in our top-spec Signature Nav test car, which has an intuitive and well-designed infotainment system on an 8.7in screen, all-leather seats and good quality plastics.
The only other trim available in the UK is Dynamique S Nav, which is so loaded with kit – including a rear parking camera, panoramic sunroof, sat-nav, Bluetooth and heated cup holders – that it’s hard to justify the extra £2300 for Signature Nav.
To drive, it’s a friendly thing. The 175bhp diesel has decent torque and copes well even when the Koleos is fully laden. Our test car was equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Given that many CVTS are poor, this one doesn’t fare badly, thanks to a step system that mimics the action of a sequential ’box. Moving fast through first and second induces an unpleasant growl from the engine, though.
The suspension is built for comfort not dynamism and the handling is stable and predictable. If you’re looking for more agility, the Skoda Kodiaq is a better bet, although the compromise is a ride quality that isn’t as comfortable as that of the Koleos.
We tried 4WD Lock mode, which permanently engages four-wheel drive below 25mph and distributes torque 50/50. On wet terrain the car proved capable, not least when undertaking a pretty hairy hill start.
The Koleos doesn’t reinvent the segment but it does offer a spacious, well-equipped and attractive alternative to the Kodiaq and the Nissan X-trail. Its a similar price to both, but we’d suggest opting for the lower trim level for the best value.