A revision to the Renault Koleos was announced just a few weeks after we tested this understated SUV. We weren’t exactly holding our breaths for the latest version to arrive for test, but agreed to a test anyway, wondering how we would devote much copy to the mere addition of a new electronic parking brake and an automatic-opening for the tailgate.
The model that arrived was the 2.5 Dynamique CVT 4X4, much the same as the car we had previously sampled. You can read this recent review here: Under the SUV radar – The Renault Koleos.
Styling
Nothing has changed substantially on the styling of the revised Koleos, and it remains a very understated vehicle. It is good-looking in a generic kind of way. Lifting the game somewhat are the alloy wheels which we still find quite attractive. We again took note of the good-looking LED tail lights, and the overall aura of solid build quality that the car enjoys.
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Space and Comfort
The interior is well-equipped in the top-of-the-range 2.5 Dynamique CVT 4X4 model we had on test, with leather upholstery and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat. The new electronic parking brake works well and automatically operates when the car is switched off. On engine start up, it holds the brake on until sensors determine when the car is moving, and then releases the brake gradually according to torque delivered to the wheels, and elevation changes.
Thus the electronic parking brake assists in hill starts, although in some ways the old conventional lever parking brake takes some beating because the driver can operate it according to command, rather than relying on sensors to “judge” when to hold and when to release it.
The other big change is the automatic tailgate operation, achieved by using the key remote or waving a foot under the rear bumper. Handy at times, but not a big deal. The boot space is good at 464 litres, and we were pleased to see a space saver spare wheel included for motoring where road surfaces are dodgy and punctures are a very real possibility.
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The Drive
The Koleos is quite unusual these days in that it uses a non-turbo, naturally-aspirated large capacity four-cylinder engine. This 2 488 cc unit is from the Nissan-Renault family and has also been used for some time on the Nissan X-Trail, delivering 126 kW and 233 Nm of torque.
When we last tested the Koleos we criticised the engine for being a bit unrefined, especially as this car only comes with a CVT (continuously variable) transmission. We bemoaned the fact that the Koleos CVT didn’t come with any step changes in the transmission to avoid the droning that can effect these continuously variable gearboxes, which operates by shifting a belt between two cones to achieve a continuously changing ratio according to speed and torque.
We were expecting much of the same, because, as mentioned, the two big changes drawn to our attention by our pre-test info from Renault were the parking brake and the boot lid operation. No mention of a revised transmission.
However, at first we were surprised that the CVT now had slight on-demand step changes to its power delivery. This has the effect of introducing a simulated “gear” effect on the CVT, and it is now much more pleasant to live with. This new action sees rev “steps” being introduced on part and hard-throttle demand, and on the highway on up-hills we were never much bothered by the droning that bugged us with the earlier example. We checked with Renault and indeed there have been revisions to the transmission.
An even bigger improvement would now be the fitting of paddle shifters, but this is a step in the right direction.
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Ride and handling
With the transmission annoyance largely (but not completely) a thing of the past, it was once again a pleasure to enjoy the good ride and handling mix that the Koleos imparts. We must confess we never had the opportunity to do any serious off-roading, but this All-Wheel-Drive model offers variable drive between the front and rear axles. You can also select two-wheel-drive only which means the power goes only to the front wheels to save fuel. For serious dirt road or even mild off-road work you can select “lock” mode, where power is fixed at a 50-50 split between the front and rear axles.
There is a generous ground clearance of 210 mm, which would make it quite handy on rougher dirt roads or even mild trails.
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Performance
Taking into account the fact that it is non-turbo, Highveld conditions don’t flatter the Koleos. But given its unladen weight of just under 1 600 kg it performs well, if a bit noisily if you rally press it. Acceleration to 100 km/h is in fact rated at just under 10 seconds and top speed is just a smidgen under 200 km/h. The new steeped CVT seemed to also make overtaking acceleration more brisk, although, hard on the throttle, the transmission will hold maximum revs for longer than you may wish, and then things do get a bit noisy.
Fuel Consumption
The claimed fuel consumption is 8,3 litres/100 km on average. In fact this time around we found the fuel consumption to be slightly better than previously at about 9,6 litres/100 for our test period.
Safety
As far as safety is concerned there are six airbags and ISOFIX child seat mountings, as well as various electronic driver assists, such as EBD, Brake Assist, traction control and electronic cornering assistance. Four-wheel-drive means that it will have greater stability than a two-wheel-drive vehicle on dirt roads, and on tar in heavy downpours, and in heavy braking from higher speeds on the highway.
Verdict
Last time out I said I liked the Renault Koleos as it impressed me with its classy cabin and good ride and handling. This time around I didn’t have to drive around the inherent CVT transmission’s propensity for droning much at all. So this is a “step change” in the right direction for the Koleos.
Price
Since last we tested it, the Koleos’s price has risen to R499 900, just R10 000 more than before, which is still a very good price for this level of SUV. The price includes Renault’s 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty, 5-year/150 000 km service plan, and service intervals of 15 000 km.