Introduction | Design | Powertrains | On the Road | Equipment | Summary and Specifications
Equipment
The upmarket positioning of the Renault Koleos is reflected in its trim levels. The car is available only in Dynamique S Nav or Signature Nav trims, which are the upper levels on other Renault models.
Cars on the launch were only in the top Signature trim, the highlight of which in this reviewer’s opinion is the portrait-format touchscreen. It also includes such niceties as black leather upholstery, front heated seats with electronic adjustment on the driver’s seat, and even the means to open the tailgate by waving one’s foot under it, Monty Python style.
Yet, leaving aside the touchscreen, the lower Dynamique level appears to offer all one needs, while cutting the price tag by £2,300.
It includes a pleasing level of equipment, notable elements including parking sensors front and rear with a rear camera, auto headlamps and wipers, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and connectivity to a similar level as the Signature, just with a smaller, horizontal screen.
The safety specification is impressive too – among the active features on all models are blind spot and lane departure warnings, emergency braking and traffic sign recognition. And all cars also get Renault’s four-year warranty.
Summary
In the Koleos, Renault has created a very good SUV, and one with enough upmarket features to justify its pitch as the halo model of the brand’s crossover line-up. It doesn’t make headlines, it simply performs very effectively in every area it needs to.
The problem Renault will have is that the crossover market is now very crowded, and there are plenty of other cars to choose from. Quite simply, buyers may not consider the Renault Koleos, because they will not expect it to be quite as complete a package as it is.
Renault Koleos – key specifications
Models Tested: Renault Koleos Signature dCi 175 4×4 X-Tronic
On Sale: July 2017
Range price: £27,500-£34,200
Insurance groups: 18E-23E
Engines: Diesel 1.6, 2.0.
Power (hp): 130, 175.
Torque (Nm): 320, 380.
0-62mph (sec): 11.4, 10.7 (9.5*).
Top speed (mph): 115, 126 (125*).
Fuel economy (combined, mpg): 57.6, 50.4 (47.9*).
CO2 emissions (g/km): 128, 148 (156*).
Key rivals: Nissan X-Trail, Ford Edge, Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento
Test Date: July 2017.
* = with X-Tronic auto gearbox.
