Test drive of the Renault Koleos 2.0 dCi 175 CV X-Tronic 4x4, luxurious and spacious

Only two years ago the new Renault Koleos arrived in Europe, an SUV that had little in common with the previous generation and that grew at every level to become the flagship of the diamond-badged brand. We have been able to put the Renault Koleos through its paces with the 2.0 dCi diesel engine of 175 CV, the most powerful in the range for now (a 190 CV unit will arrive in 2020), combined with the X-Tronic automatic gearbox and 4×4 traction.

What can the Renault Koleos offer in the saturated SUV market? At first sight, an imposing presence, a spacious interior where quality stands out well above other mainstream brands, and an equipment level that leaves nothing to be desired. For just over 40,000 euros, the Initiale Paris trim offers everything we could need and more.

Design: imposing exterior with a large, high-quality interior

On the outside, what immediately catches the eye is undoubtedly its shape. It is a large car with robust lines which, both at the front and the rear, make it clear that this is an off-roader. At the front we find LED technology headlights for both the daytime running lights and the rest of the lighting functions, with the characteristic shape of all Renault models in recent years.

Laterally, its huge 19-inch alloy wheels fill generous wheel arches, with a typically SUV design. The side glazing also stands out, with darkened rear windows (a good touch). Its 225/55 R19 tyres strike a sensible balance between off-road use and road driving, although they are not the sportiest choice for a vehicle like this.

At the rear we find LED headlights that extend horizontally along the tailgate (another signature of the brand’s models). The tailgate has electric operation — via the key fob, a button, and a foot sensor under the bumper.

The interior of the Koleos takes the design principles of models such as the Talisman, with the large touchscreen in a vertical position dominating the centre console. The dashboard design is minimalist, with few buttons (too few for controlling climate or multimedia functions, which points directly to the touchscreen).

It has outstanding quality, as the plastics are soft to the touch and very well fitted (the quality of the interior finishes stands out well above other models in the mainstream segment).

The instrumentation is digital, except for two side needles, with a choice of several display designs. The driving position is very comfortable, thanks to huge seats (more like armchairs) with electric adjustment, ventilation and heating, upholstered in microperforated leather. These seats — standard on the Initiale Paris trim — are typical of a premium representative saloon, with good lateral support and high comfort over long distances (very few mainstream brands offer ventilated front seats as standard).

In the back, once again space is the star, both for legroom and headroom. Three people will travel comfortably and two will do so in real comfort, with air vents and two USB ports for charging electronic devices. As a practical detail, the opening angle of the rear doors is wider than usual, making access easier for an elderly person or for fitting and removing a child seat.

The boot is adequate, with a capacity of 498 litres, although the loading height is high when lifting bulky items. As a practical detail, the tailgate can be operated electrically from a button, from the key fob, or by moving your foot under the rear bumper (very useful when you are carrying a lot).

Engine and performance: only version with 175 CV and automatic

The Renault Koleos for now (it gets updated in 2020) is only available with the 2.0 dCi diesel engine of 175 CV and paired exclusively with the X-Tronic automatic gearbox. The powerplant is an old acquaintance of the Franco-Japanese alliance, and it meets current emissions regulations.

It is not a unit that stands out for smoothness, but it is effective at moving the Koleos, from just over 2,000 rpm it begins to respond strongly up to almost 4,000 rpm, thanks to 380 Nm of torque. That said, although the gearbox is very smooth, it is not the best match for getting the most out of the engine. The X-Tronic is a continuously variable transmission (as used in some hybrid models, with no fixed gears), which creates the feeling that the engine is always revving higher than it should, keeping the Koleos near 3,000 rpm under acceleration and around 2,000 rpm when cruising gently. It does, however, have a sequential mode that lets us simulate up to 7 gears, which helps reduce consumption or even hold the car back on long descents.

Finally, it also has 4×4 traction with a selector that lets us choose between 4×2, 4×4 Auto and 4×4 Lock modes. Normally we will not need 4×4 mode, although in 4×4 Auto mode there is noticeably more agility when leaving corners or quicker getaways, though this also penalises consumption.

Handling: a kilometre-eater

The first kilometres at the wheel of the Renault Koleos were on the motorway, leaving Madrid for Nigrán (Pontevedra) along our usual route. On the motorway the Koleos is a very comfortable car, fairly well insulated from noise, stable despite its height, and one in which covering distance is very smooth and relaxing; here the automatic gearbox is a real ally in the pursuit of comfort.

In town it is a large car in terms of dimensions, but with a high driving position, and the gearbox again adds comfort. Furthermore, thanks to the rear camera and the various driver-assistance systems, it is practical in urban areas.

On country roads, as long as we drive calmly, the Koleos offers comfort. However, when we ask a bit more of it, we become aware of its size and that the automatic gearbox does not help when it comes to dynamism. In corners, though, it is very composed: despite its mass and size, its suspension is firm in character and it does not do anything unexpected, remaining predictable through every bend. With a manual gearbox it could even be fun, thanks to the all-wheel drive.

That said, at the wheel we notice that we are driving a large car, with a considerable weight (1,836 kg), which, together with the automatic gearbox, does not help it feel dynamic. If we want to be economical, it is better to use sequential mode and select the gear ourselves, since this prevents the gearbox from habitually keeping the engine at 2,000 rpm.

As for 4×4 traction and off-road driving, the system does its job, and possibly with M+S or more off-road tyres the Koleos’s response in difficult situations could be greatly improved. However, its ground clearance is not very high (210 mm), with an approach angle of 19 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees, and it has no underbody protection.

Consumption

According to the current WLTP homologation cycle, the Koleos has an average consumption of 7.8 litres per 100 km. In reality, after several tests we have managed to bring that figure down by a few tenths; for example, on country roads when driving calmly it is easy to reach 6.9 litres per 100 km.

On the motorway, on our route between Madrid and Galicia, the average consumption was 7.5 litres per 100 km. In town or in more congested traffic, consumption rises to 8.9 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: everything you could need

Our unit with the top-of-the-range trim — Initiale Paris — comes as standard with a comprehensive safety and assistance package, leaving the optional extras reduced to a minimum (paint and little else). As standard it includes multiple airbags, stability control, hill-start assist, emergency braking assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, a driver fatigue detector (which analyses our driving), LED headlights for all lighting functions with automatic high beam, among other features.

To this we must add traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control, completing an arsenal of assistance systems comparable to a premium brand.

On the multimedia side, the large touchscreen stands out, along with the BOSE sound system with 12 speakers (and a subwoofer), a system of outstanding power and quality.

On the negative side, however, is the touchscreen operation (flawless in its performance) — to switch from FM radio to USB or Bluetooth there is no direct button, and you have to tap the screen several times to do so. The same applies to some climate control functions, where you must first press the climate section of the screen and, once it expands, press again.

On the positive side, in addition to the sound system (outstanding), the equipment includes features such as full LED headlights, or front seats with ventilation — something rarely seen as standard on a mainstream brand’s model.

Personal opinion and price of the Renault Koleos

The Renault Koleos is available from 30,822 euros. What we liked most about the Renault Koleos, apart from its design, is its spacious and practical interior, where the quality of the materials has nothing to envy from premium brand models. It also stands out for its equipment, since although the final price of this unit in Initiale Paris trim is 43,000 euros, at least the equipment is complete with no extras needed.

In the area that could be improved is the automatic gearbox, which is smooth but does not help unlock the engine’s full power or reduce consumption, as well as some small details such as the absence of certain physical buttons for direct access to functions.

Meanwhile, with different, more off-road-oriented tyres, this traction system could deliver much better performance in snow or in more demanding mountain conditions.

If you are looking for a large, spacious 4×4 with good finishes at the price of this Renault Koleos Initiale Paris, you get a level of equipment or space that a premium SUV at that price is not able to offer.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira