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Graham Smith reviews the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Renault Koleos as a used buy.
The French brand’s wagon came from an alliance with Nissan.
New
The Koleos came from the alliance between Renault and Nissan. It was based on Nissan’s renowned all-wheel drive X-Trail platform, although with its fresh, attractive looks there was little hint of that.
Renault introduced the five-seater Koleos all-wheel drive wagon in 2008 with two levels of trim, the base Dynamique and the feature-laden Privilege. Two years later, in 2010, it added the front-drive Expression as the entry model. There was a styling update in 2012.
Koleos buyers had the choice of petrol or turbo diesel engines, the former a 2.5-litre four-cylinder (126kW/226Nm). In the turbo diesel, a 2.0-litre four, outputs varied with the transmission — in manual guise it produced 127kW/360Nm and was detuned in the automatic to 110kW/320Nm.
The manual was a six-speed on all engines. The automatic options were a continuously variable transmission on the petrol engine and a regular torque converter six-speed auto on the turbo diesel.
When equipped with Nissan’s well-respected 4x4-i set-up, the Koleos could run in two-wheel drive mode, auto, or four-wheel drive, selected with the flick of a switch.
In auto mode it ran as a front-driver until wheel slip was detected, at which point is also started feeding drive to the rear.
The Koleos’s cabin was stylish, modern and quite roomy, although tall occupants might complain of being cramped in the rear. There was a high standard of fit and finish and the cabin materials looked and felt of a decent quality.
Now
Owners we talked to were unanimous in the praise of the Koleos. The only criticisms voiced were minor in nature; there was certainly no serious concerns for a second-hand buyer. Those with petrol-engined models were happy with the performance and economy they were getting, a sentiment echoed by the equally content diesel owners.
Even the CVT came in for some praise and, significantly, no one reported problems with it, which should give confidence to anyone thinking of buying a Koleos so equipped.
More good news for prospective Koleos buyers is that owners are generally reporting good distances from tyres and brakes.
Always check for a service record. Regular maintenance is critical for a long and reliable motoring life so make sure the car you are considering buying has been regularly serviced according to Nissan’s recommended schedule.
The Koleos isn’t a hardcore off-roader, some owners could have taken them to the beach or down a bush track, and they’re quite capable to doing that. Just make sure they haven’t been beaten up in the process.
Take a look around the body for dings and dents, check the rear bumper to see if it has ever been ripped off, and get down and look for damage to the underbody.
Renault Koleos 2008: Dynamique (4x2)
| Engine Type | Inline 4, 2.5L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9.3L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $3,080 - $4,730 |
| Safety Rating |
|
Verdict
Smithy says
There’s a lot to like about the Koleos — it’s refined, comfortable, safe and reliable.
Owners say
Ray Cook: I have been driving Renaults since the 1960s and now own a 2010 Privilege. This car was a surprise with its sweet 2.5-litre petrol engine and smooth CVT. It’s a great package. It’s easy to get in and out, is very comfortable, quiet, and easy to drive and manoeuvre.
Chris Henshelwood: I took delivery of a new 2.5-litre Privilege CVT in 2009. I chose it because it was in effect a Nissan X-Trail in French clothing, so had the mechanical reliability of the Nissan and classier interior from Renault with quality of finish produced by the Korean Samsung factory in which it was built. I have found it great to drive and that includes winding roads that unsettle some other vehicles. The CVT has not been an issue although I would prefer a normal automatic. The leather seats, which you sit on rather than in, are annoying and cause a numb backside on a long trip. The only issue I had was a headlamp unit that leaked and was replaced under warranty without question. The Continental tyres, the quietest I have driven on, were replaced after 54,000km. Annual servicing has averaged $480 over each of the seven years of ownership. Fuel consumption has averaged 10.8L/100km over the 55,000km of ownership.
Basil Lowder: I’ve done 75,000km in two and a half years in my diesel, and so far there have been no problems at all.
Neil Hatchman: We absolutely love our Koleos. It’s so comfortable on long trips; the split rear tailgate is great, the satnav easy to use and the fuel economy is good.
Ken Herrick: For an older driver, our 2014 Privilege has easy entry and exit. Night driving is enhanced with xenon HID headlights and electronic auto dimming rear view mirror. The aircon is very good, the seats are leather, comfortable and electric for the driver, it has an electric sunroof, plus Bose entertainment. The diesel averages 7.8L/100km and the six-speed auto makes country passing a snap. The only gripe is the small speedo face and lack of digital readout to avoid fines. After 40,000km, it’s been absolutely trouble-free and great for touring.
Chris Lee: My Expression is comfortable, quiet, easy to drive and hasn’t missed a beat in three years. It’s very underrated.
Sam McPherson: My Privilege is quiet, handles well and is an absolute pleasure to drive.
Jason Forbes: I have owned my diesel for three years and have done 100,000km in it. In that time I replaced the tyres after 50,000km, and the brakes were replaced at 90,000km. Other than that there has been nothing apart from regular service items.
At a glance
Price new: $29,990-$39,990
Price now:
Dynamique - $7000-$19,500
Privilege - $10,000-$28,000
Expression - $8500-$18,500
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 126kW/226Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 127kW/360Nm (man), 110kW/320Nm (auto)
Transmissions: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/RWD
Thirst: 9.6 L/100km (2.5), 8.3 L/100km (TD)
Also consider
Kia Sportage 2009-14 - 4 stars - It’s a standout in the SUV class. Pay between $7500-$32,500.
Volkswagen Tiguan 2009-14 - 4 stars - Refined, comfortable, reliable and a good performer. Well worth a look. Pay between $10,500-$33,000.
Mazda CX-5 2012-14 - 3.5 stars - It’s comfortable, practical, and easy driving. Pay between $16,500-$42,000.
Coming up
Do you own or have you owned an Audi Q3? Share your experience with other CarsGuide readers by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or write to CarsgGuide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW 2010
Click here to see more Renault Koleos pricing and spec info.
Pricing Guides
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