Renault Koleos Dynamique 2012 Review

There's much to like about a hook-up between the French and the Japanese. The Nissan Renault team has produced a worthy compact SUV range in the updated Koleos, it's just a shame they've priced themselves out of contention, particularly when considering the opposition.

We've spent some time in the turbodiesel Dynamique and - without looking at the pricetag - there's plenty to like, but bring in the damage to the hip pocket and the dynamic abilities of it's immediate opposition and it's a different argument.

VALUE

There's a decent features list that includes dual-zone climate control, rear passengers get vents at the rear of the centre console, there's a six-speaker Arkamys sound system with USB input or an optional eight-speaker Bose unit (including a woofer), satnav and Bluetooth phone and audio link.

The Koleos also has reach'n'rake adjustable steering, leather trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats with powered adjustment for the driver, a trip computer, rear side retractable sunblinds, power-adjustable and heated external mirrors, a full-size spare wheel, several 12-volt sockets and 17in alloy wheels.

TECHNOLOGY

The diesel Koleos runs a 110kW/320Nm two-litre particle-filter equipped turbodiesel with a "normal" torque-converter-equipped six-speed automatic transmission, not a CVT that is teamed to the petrol-powered vehicles.

The little four-pot engine has two balance shafts to counteract engine vibrations and runs common-rail direct fuel injection (running at 1600-bar, says Renault) using piezo injectors and a variable-geometry turbocharger to help reduce lag.

The Koleos takes much from its Nissan cousins on this front, with a rotary-switch to flick between 4WD modes - front wheel drive, auto (front-drive biased but varying the torque as required) and locked mode, which puts the drive 50/50 front to rear below 40km/h for the rare moments when you'd take something from this segment off the bitumen.

There's also hill start and hill descent assistance systems on the 4Wd Koleos models.

DESIGN

Most of the design budget for the new Koleos was spent on rhinoplasty, with the updated snout a nicer and less-polarising look than that of the outgoing car.

The split rear tailgate will be welcomed by some and loathed by others - it makes for a wide-open load bay (which has remote levers to drop the backrests from the rear) and it's a good place to take a pew for tailgate parties, but shorter folk might lament the long stretch into the cargo area.

The seats are comfortable but the front buckets need a little more lateral support. Some of the driver's controls for the sound system and phone (on a stalk behind the steering wheel) are not easy to decipher quickly, although the satnav buttons on the centre console are less difficult to use.

There has been plenty of thought put into the storage with the snug-but-comfortable cabin - any space that could be used for storage has been (Renault says there's 70 litres of in-cabin stowage), with other helpful touches including the child-monitor mirror, folding tables for rear seat occupants and side sun blinds.

SAFETY

Renault was the first brand to score five stars under the NCAP regime and it has plenty of safety gear to maintain that crash-test cred - anti-lock brakes with emergency assist function, traction and stability control, the aforementioned all-wheel drive system and dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags all on the list.

All seatbelts are equipped with load-limiters and the front seatbelts are also endowed with pretensioners.

There's also a cruise control with speed limiter function, automatic wipers and headlights, and in the event of crash, Renault says the car's doors unlock automatically, the ECU stops the fuel injection system and the hazard lights turn on.

DRIVING

The Koleos has picked tough territory into which it has waded - established players like Subaru, Mitsubishi and now VW have diesel offerings.

The VW Tiguan and Mazda's CX-5 promise to redefine diesel engines, the latter with its new Skyactiv-D drivetrain. Toyota's RAV4 doesn't do diesel and neither does Jeep's renewed offerings in the segment, but the Renault feels a little leisurely when compared to its opposition.

The payoff comes with reasonably good fuel economy, which was 8.9l/100km when we finished our stint in the car - not far off the claimed 7.6l/100km and suprising given the Koleos was largely used in surburbia.

Dynamically it's a cruiser too, endowed with a reasonable ride comfort but not with the dynamic ability that the Volkswagen or the Mazda bring to the fight.

With 186mm of ground clearance listed in the specs, it isn't a number that's going to mean peace of mind if you're getting into rougher terrain.

That said, the all-wheel drive system does a good job of maintaining grip in loose conditions and it is not shy of getting its wheels muddied more than the soft-roader brigade.

VERDICT

The Koleos has plenty of gear and (I think) improved looks but is up against renewed and all-new models in the segment. It's a competent and comfortable machine but is pipped for on-road dynamics by the Tiguan and the new CX-5.

If you want to get it dirty doing more than traversing a long unsealed farm driveway then the Koleos can cut it. It also completes metropolitan duties without any issues but it's not a segment-topper.

2012 Renault Koleos Dynamique diesel

Price: from $40,990
Warranty: 5 years, unlimited km
Resale: 50% Source: Glass's Guide
Service Interval: 15,000km or 12-months
Economy: 7.6l/100km, on test 8.9, tank 65 litres; 200g/km CO2
Safety: Equipment six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control.
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 110kW/320Nm 2-litre common-rail direct-injection particle-filtered turbodiesel four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed auto, four-wheel drive.
Body: 4-door, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4520mm (L); 1865mm (W); 1710mm (H); 2690mm (WB)
Weight: 1789kg
Tyre size: 225/60R17
Spare tyre: full size