We were whisked to Lanseria to play with the French marque’s largest and poshest high-riding hatch. The Koleos, its second coming in fact - plays in the D SUV Segment and so rivals the likes of the VW Tiguan and Ford Kuga.
It focuses on status, a pleasurable user experience with reliability a close second in priority. We’re assured that design is key – then ushered into the cosseting, dark and leathery cabin. Being their flagship SUV, you’ll find it positioned above the Captur, with the Duster, Sandero Stepway and Kwid Climber occupying the smaller slots beneath it. But what of the Kadjar? That, while not truly being replaced, will fall away to let the new car in.
Aesthetically – it’s all sinewy musculature, bulging in blue metal, wide at the hips with its horizontal lines being accentuated with broad tail lamp signatures, chrome finishings along the flanks with ornate details such as those bold door vents. Up to 18-inch hoops reside in each arch, while daytime running lamps – a blend of form and function, paired with C-shaped headlamp cluster help fortify that premium feel.
It’s a big car this, measuring 1.834mm wide x 4673mm long and 1678mm tall with a 2.7m wheelbase. Comfortably more-ish – bigger and more capacious than a Nissan X-Trail, and I’m going to skip far ahead and say that all of this can be had for as little as R399,000. Sure, it’s the entry-level model, but for an R80,000 premium you can have the 4x4 Dynamique complete with automatic CVT gearbox and a host of hop-ups.
To recap then
And it was this range-topper that I dropped my bum into, into a feature laden cabin that is sombre but fairly sumptuous apart from some hard-wearing plastic. It came with a large 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen akin to what you'd find in a Volvo. Also, here for the driver’s benefit, a digital instrument panel with customizable skins.
Then there’s ambient lighting, widgets for infotainment and HVAC controls worked into that touchscreen. You’ll also find onboard navigation, four USB ports, Bluetooth and auxiliary connectivity. Naturally Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also in effect – and with speech recognition. There’s cruise control, 6-way driver seat adjustments (4 way for the front passenger) and plenty of room for knees and heads for all five occupants.
Why no seven-seater option? Simple – they focused on living space and no shortage of utility for that matter. I refer to the 464-litre boot capacity, or 700 litres if you minus the parcel tray. Flatten the back seats and you’ll have a total loading capacity in excess of 1,700 litres. Rest assured, that is enough.
Actually, no. There’s more…
A clever air conditioning system allows you to pipe in hot and cold air to heat and cool your cup holders. You get all round park assist with cameras, sensors – plus a host of safety tech for which you can attribute its 5-star safety rating. I refer to its 6 airbags, sensors and a hardy passive safety cell.
Underneath the metal - way underneath, lay an independent suspension that favours comfort; Macphersons upfront and multi-links at the rear. Combined with off-road centric sensors including yaw and 4WD, plus Renault’s All-mode system with 2WD, Auto and 4x4 lock configurations and finally favourable approach, departure angles and good ground clearance and you’ve got yourself a go-anywhere Renault. Built in Korea, at the Samsung factory. Yours in six colours; blue, white, beige and a bunch of versions of silver.
But how does it go?
Under the blue bonnet of our test car (and every Renault Koleos in the range if we’re honest) lives a naturally aspirated 2.5l 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to an X-Tronic CVT. This is good for 126kW and 233Nm, consumes unleaded at a rate of 8.1l/100km and poisons the air to the tune of 188g/Km of CO2.
Handling is that of a large sedan – and paired with an engine that revs even at the reef (surprising me to no end), an enjoyable steer. We traversed plenty of tarmac and gravel on our jaunt between Lanseria and Hartbeespoortdam and the one aspect that outshone the rest had to be the super-compliant suspension.
But would I buy one?
Look, I’m not ready to settle into the SUV life just yet personally, and if I did, I’d prefer one that was rough around the edges like me, and not elegant and flamboyant like Rupert Everett. But if you’re not put off by a car that is more handsome than you – the Koleos is a hot prospect and trumps by some margin its marmite (you either loved it or hated it) predecessor.
R450k for a comfortable Euro SUV? It’s a bargain. Choose the entry-level model if you’re happy with 17-inch wheels, black skid plates and a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and a few more bells and whistles. The Dynamic range gets you electric mirrors, electric seats, 18-inch wheels, hands-free keyless ignition, ambient lights, that mega 8.7-inch portrait screen and much more, and then there’s the 4x4 model. Just three models, none diesel for now – but within that range I believe there’s something for everyone.
New Renault Koleos 2.5 Dynamic 4x4 Spec:
| Engine | 2.5-litre, inline 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated |
| Power | 126kW |
| Torque | 233Nm |
| Gearbox | X-Tronic CVT |
| Driven Wheels | All |
| Average Fuel Consumption | 8.1l/100km |
| CO2 Emissions | 188g/km |
New Renault Koleos Pricing:
| 2.5 Expression | R399,900.00 |
| 2.5 Dynamic | R439,900.00 |
| 2.5 Dynamic 4x | R479,900.00 |
5 year/90 000km service plan and 5 year/150 000km warranty included
Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi now?Yep – since the acquisition of
Mitsubishi – the newly established Renault-Nissan Mitsubishi-Alliance is
essentially number one in car sales. Yep, for the last two years this
mighty union has displaced Volkswagen (and Toyota) as the World’s
Largest Automaker. Nifty hey? |
Inside info
Here are just a few more new cars coming from Renault in 2019
March – Duster 4x4
April – Stepway Plus
May – Kwid ABS
July – Duster LE
August – Megane Trophy RS
