Test drive: Renault Koleos 2.0 dCi 150 cv 4x4 (Part I)

After testing several compact cars and a mid-size saloon, the road was getting really boring and with the good days we’d had, we felt like heading off towards the mountains. So we thought about an SUV (a bit roomier than others in this segment) and chose the Renault Koleos 2.0 dCi 150 cv 4×4 Dynamique PK2, which came fully loaded as standard with no detail missing, all for €31,720.

When I went to RODOSA (Renault Vigo-Nigrán dealership), and they explained the standard equipment to me (xenon lights, navigation, bi-zone climate control, Bose sound system), and seeing it looking so refined on the outside, I wondered how it would handle forest tracks and more demanding terrain. That doubt grew when I got inside the cabin, which feels more like a saloon than an SUV. But first impressions can be deceiving, and in this case I got a pleasant surprise with the Koleos.

Engine and performance

Before getting into off-road driving, we need to talk about the engine and how it performs on the road and in town. To start with, it has a 2.0 dCi diesel engine producing 150 cv, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. The Koleos, being an SUV, is quite heavy, and you notice it when you try to get the most out of the engine, which starts to come alive at around 2,200 rpm.

The engine is quite smooth, with low noise levels and a cabin that is also very well insulated. On the road, thanks to a fairly flexible gearshift, comfort is good and power delivery is fairly linear (more so in the higher gears than the lower ones, where it has more punch and is less linear). The six-speed gearbox is a real success, because it suits urban use (being so flexible, you don’t have to keep constantly on the lookout for gear changes) and on country roads or motorways the sixth gear helps reduce consumption.

The suspension is geared towards comfort, and it’s fairly soft, which is appreciated off the tarmac and adds to its comfort. On the downside, it can roll a little in corners, although that’s normal given what the vehicle is and its height (1,865 mm tall). Moving on to the steering, it has a normal feel. But what caught my attention was the steering wheel, which, given the size of the Koleos, feels like that of a compact car.

The brakes impressed me, and the Koleos features Hill Descent Control, which is a great help when tackling tricky terrain. Finally, fuel consumption was within normal limits. The average during the test was 8.4 l/100 km (official figure 7.4 l/100 km) driving around town and on the open road.

Off-road performance

As I said at the beginning, I didn’t expect much from the Renault Koleos, but the surprise was huge. The drive mode could be selected (see image) with a simple button, offering AUTO mode, 4×2 and differential lock. First I took it along a forest track without much difficulty to see how it behaved, and things went well.

Following that, I continued over sandy terrain with poor grip and on a descent, where the DSC (hill descent control) worked very well, keeping the Koleos under control at all times. But the test carried on, and it had to climb over stony, uneven ground with little grip, where an ordinary SUV would not have got through. But the Koleos, thanks to its good ground clearance and a fairly capable traction system, got through them without any problem.

In short, despite its more urban appearance, the Koleos doesn’t break a sweat on forest trails or more demanding terrain. With hill descent control and differential lock as allies, it can handle any tricky situation without trouble. In the next instalment of the test, we’ll look at interior space, comfort and build quality.