Renault Koleos review

Renault is choosing its cars for India carefully. After all there are many variables it has to factor into the calls it makes, at least, for now.

First, and thankfully so, Renault has chosen to bring two relatively good looking models – the Fluence and now the Koleos. Some French cars, including a few of Renault's can be seriously odd looking.

Secondly, the new models that Renault chooses have to supplement and complement, and not sabotage and compete head on with its partner – Nissan's models. Of course, they are independent brands and don't have to necessarily look out for each other. And a bit of taking on each other is likely to happen in the future when more models roll out of both the brand stables.

Finally, Renault is priming itself for a slew of launches next year and at least two of the models due out in 2012 will be in the affordable category, so it is trying to adopt the top-down strategy, by choosing to launch the more premium models first.

The Koleos, then, is a clever choice as the second offering in this market. Priced at about Rs 23 lakh with only one loaded variant, the Koleos is preordained to be a niche model, but will it leave a lasting impression in the buyer's mind?

Design

The Koleos is said to be based on the same platform as the Nissan X-Trail. But the design of the Koleos is not very Japanese. There is a certain element of eccentricity that you can see in the Koleos' design. And before you wonder if that is the French influence, it might be a timely reminder to mention here that both the Fluence and the Koloes have been designed by Renault with an Asian audience in mind. Renault Samsung Motors, the Korean subsidiary was the first to manufacture the Koleos and for this part of the world.

There is a bit of the French eccentricity in the Koleos, though overall the lines are all clean and easy to appreciate. From a distance, though, the Koleos' too upright and tall stance seems to be in contrast with its coupe-like roofline. A bit of that is also probably due to the increase in ground clearance needed for the India-spec model.

At the front, the three-slatted bonnet grille in chrome is the aggressive introduction to the Koleos. It is flanked on either side by twin barrel headlamps that are slightly inwards and certainly lift up the SUV's road presence.

A large airdam and a silver, satin-finished skid plate, which is part of the rough road package, manage to further enhance the rugged and sporty, yet luxurious image of the Koleos. While it is meant to protect, it also serves to remind the onlooker about the steep approach angle that the Koleos offers and as a result also about its off-roading prowess.

The rear of the Koleos is the more pleasing part of this new premium sports utility. The rear design will also be the part that will be approved by a purist. Very clean and symmetrical in form and shape, the most appealing feature at the rear are the tail-lamps. The large rear glass' gradual angle continues the coupe-like roof line and it also accentuates the ability of the Koleos to pack in more space in the cabin.

One unique feature at the rear of the Koleos is the split tail gate. Said to be a segment first, the main hatch door ends just below the tail-lamp line and lifts up to reveal another short rectangular flip down gate. This will be helpful in loading and unloading fragile articles, in ensuring greater privacy and since the hinges are strong enough to help support a weight of up to 200 kgs, it can also be a preliminary loading assistance. You could also have a romantic, impromptu picnic sitting on the flip down split gate without worrying about it cracking up. At the rear too, the skid plate integrated into the bumper serves to highlight the departure angle of this 4X4.

Goodies in the cab

Being a bit of a late entrant, Renault clearly has its task cut out. Yes, the sales volume in this segment is really not big, but there are already serious competitors in the fray. So, to push and shove its way into the territory that the competition has already got a foothold in, Renault has loaded the cabin of the Koleos with goodies like a high-end audio system, beige coloured all-leather seats, cruise control, seat back tables for rear passengers, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with a special rear a/c vent located on the B-pillar and the same smart access card and start/ stop button that we also saw in the Renault Fluence.

The Koleos' dashboard layout and design is a simple affair. There are a few bit and pieces that give off the same Renault character that the Fluence also did. Plastic quality used is good and since there is quite a bit of it on the dash, it still manages to make it look pleasing. Centre stack has a nice symmetric layout and intuitive controls. The only switch at odds with the overall quality and intuitiveness at the centre stack is the speed-limiter / cruise control button.

Cruising down

Cruise control setting and recall controls are located on the steering wheel and the Bluetooth and audio controls are located on an appendage sticking out of the steering column, just like in the Fluence – intuitive location, but will take some getting used to. At the top of the centre stack is a digital information display, which shows info such as the current track being played or radio station tuned into by the music system, but in other markets would probably display GPS information.

The biggest focus that Renault wants to bring to the interior of the Koleos is, of course, on the 8-speaker, high performance Bose music system. The system is classically Bose, managing to fill the cabin with distortion-free music (even at very high volumes), whatever the genre being played. But, Renault seems to have gone a bit overboard and has played up the Bose logo in too many places on the car including the scuff plates! Folks at Bose will love it.

Space available in the Koleos is decent, though not spectacular, especially at the rear. But then, this is being positioned as a premium five-seater SUV, and so it can't take on the 7-seaters in the segment like the Chevy Captiva. However, boot space in the Koleos is more than adequate for a family on a holiday.

Performance

There are advantages to be had from an alliance like Nissan-Renault's shared platforms. The Koleos is offered with the engine that the X-Trail also features. The two-litre dCi common rail diesel engine has been neatly packed away into the bonnet of the Koleos. During the idling cycle, the 1,995cc engine can seem a bit clattery. But warm it up a bit and let stretch her legs a bit on the road the engine quietens. Renault engineers have also done a good job of insulating and deadening the noise levels overall and so there is very little cabin noise from the road rush or the powertrain during cruising.

The engine is not a weakling, but feels just about right. The four-cylinder mill produces a peak power of 150 PS at 4,000 rpm and a peak torque of 320 Nm at just 2,000 rpm. That should be sufficient for tackling most situations on the road and off it. The fact that the turbolag does not interfere too much and spoil the fun is also a positive. But, the reason for the bit of an unhurried performance is the automatic gearbox. The six-speed automatic's shifts are a bit relaxed and the acceleration that is delivered if you floor the pedal is thanks more to the engine's characteristics. There is an option to switch to manual mode, where the shifts are faster and driving the Koleos is much more fun for someone who expects sedan-like performance from a 2.3-tonne sports ‘ute'.

Safety features in the Koleos include ABS with EBD and brake assist, six airbags, anti-whiplash headrests and automatic rain sensing wipers, and light sensor and auto headlamps.

Bottomline

The Koleos is also offered with an all-mode 4X4-i (four-wheel drive) system. Though it is unlikely to be tested on difficult off-road conditions by most of its owners, the capability exists and that is a draw amongst buyers. There is a choice of three modes a fully auto, a lock mode for difficult off-road conditions and a regular 2WD – two-wheel drive mode for the highway.

The ride quality in the Koleos is sedan like on good black-top roads. On bad patches and during mild off-roading too the suspension manages to even out most undulations and there is no jarring that you might expect from a typical SUV set up. There is a bit of body roll, but nothing very unexpected for a SUV.

The Koleos has been priced at about Rs 23 lakh thanks to Renault's ability to locally manufacture this premium SUV. It will still be a tough fight to take on the competition in the segment. But, the Koleos has a lot inside-out to take on the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda CR-V, both of which are similarly priced. If the buyer perceives the Koleos worthy of the premium positioning, Renault would have a small battle to fight when it launches a hatch next year.

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