Renault Koleos 4x2 Zen new car review

Renault has had enough of being a small player in the Australian car market.

The French firm is one of the biggest brands in Europe, competing with the likes of Volkswagen, but has struggled to match the Australian success of its German rival.

But 2016 brings two important all-new models that Renault Australia hopes will turn around its fortunes here. One is the Megane small car and the other is what we're testing here, the new Koleos SUV.

Nine years after the first generation Koleos launched, Renault has finally delivered its replacement. It uses the same template as the original - the underpinnings (including engine and transmission) are from the latest Nissan X-Trail, the styling is by Renault and it is built in South Korea.

The styling is one of car's biggest selling points. Rather than a simple badge engineering exercise with Nissan, Renault has opted to totally redesign the look of the Koleos to create a far more striking car than its plain-looking Japanese relation.

So, does this new Koleos have what it takes to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan as well as the more popular Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson?

What do you get?

The Koleos range begins at $29,990 (plus on-road costs) for the 4x2 Life model and moves up to $43,490 for the 4x4 Intens model. We're testing the middle trim level, called Zen, in 4x2 configuration which is priced from $33,990. A 4x4 Zen model is also available for $36,490.

For the asking price, Zen comes with 18-inch alloys, an electric park brake, electrically adjustable driver's seat, keyless ignition, dual-zone air-conditioning, heated front seats, auto lights and wipers, genuine leather steering wheel, artificial leather trim and an eight-speaker Arkamys sound system connected to Renault's R-Link 2 navigation and infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen.

On the safety front there are six airbags, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot warning are available as an optional Safety Package for $1490.

Renault offers a capped price scheme for the first three services for $299 per visit, which come annually.

What's inside?

Like the striking, and uniquely French, exterior design Renault has crafted an impressive looking cabin.

While it may have its roots in an X-Trail (and there are some tell-tale switches and stalks) this it feels like nothing but a Renault from the driver's seat. The instrument cluster is a digital readout that features a circular rev counter and digital speedo that gives it a modern look.

That contemporary theme carries over to the centre of the dashboard where the seven-inch landscape-orientated touchscreen has an intuitive to use menu system for all the infotainment functions. The top-of-the-line Intens gets a larger 8.7-inch portrait screen that creates the impression of a tablet inside the dash for an even more premium look and feel.

In the Zen there are soft-touch buttons underneath the screen to control the climate control air-con that also add to the feeling of Renault utilising the latest technology.

However, Renault hasn't completely abandoned its quirky French ways of years gone by. For unknown reasons the designers have positioned the button to activate cruise control and the speed limiter function on the console between the front seats, directly behind the gearshift. It is utterly illogical but ultimately only a minor inconvenience that owners will quickly adapt to.

Space inside the Koleos is reasonably generous with plenty of legroom for the rear occupants and a spacious boot.

Under the bonnet

This is where the Nissan connection is the strongest. The Koleos is powered by the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the X-Trail.

It features the same tune - 126kW of power and 226Nm of torque - and is mated to the same Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

That puts it in the middle of the mid-size SUV segment in terms of performance and it feels a bit average on the road - not bad but equally not challenging the class leaders. Peak torque only kicks it at 4400rpm so the engine needs to be revved hard to get to that sweet spot.

Paired with the CVT means the engine can drone at times and feel noisy and a bit sluggish when you call for a sudden burst of acceleration for overtaking, for example.

Fuel use is only average too, using a claimed 8.1-litres per 100km, well off the best-in-class and even behind the X-Trail (albeit only slightly).

On the road

The French brand's strength in Australia has traditionally been its Renault Sport tuned hot hatches, which have earned high praise for excellent dynamic abilities. Unfortunately the Koleos is more influenced by Nissan in this department.

The ride is comfortable most of the time, with good compliance from the suspension. However it lacks control over repeated imperfections in the road and its dynamic limits are easy to find.

The steering is nicely weighted around town but lacks feeling and feedback when you push the Koleos.

Verdict

The good news for Renault Australia is the new Koleos is a much improved proposition compared to its predecessor. It looks better inside and out, has a spacious cabin and makes a strong value argument.

However, it is let down by an average drivetrain and on-road dynamics that leave it to rely more on its style to compete with the best in the cut-throat mid-size SUV class.

2016 Renault Koleos 4x2 Zen pricing and specifications

Price: From $33,990 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 126kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 226Nm at 4400rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 8.1L/100km

The Competitors

Nissan X-Trail ST

Price: From $33,980 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 126kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 226Nm at 4400rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 7.9L/100km

Our score: Not yet rated

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2WD

Price: From $32,790 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 114kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 6.4L/100km

Our score: Not yet rated

Hyundai Tucson ActiveX 2WD

Price: From $31,150 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 120kW

Torque: 203Nm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 7.8L/100km

Our score: 7/10

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