This is very much a car that isn't quite what you'd expect. First of all, of course, this is the first ever Renault off-roader. But, more than that, it's very much a team effort, with Renault's design topping off engineering from Nissan on a car that's built at a Samsung factory. And, although you'd most probably call it a Sports Utility Vehicle, there's precious little sporty about it.You see, while the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Kuga are desperate to show the genes of a hot hatch in their make-up, the Koleos seems to have more in common with Renaults like the Scenic.
That's not to say you couldn't enjoy driving it. On the contrary, you soon learn to adopt a more leisurely pace in a Koleos, using the strong pull of the diesel engine to haul you around, rather than forever working the gears to keep the revs up. However, you have to keep the diesel engine revving at more than 2000rpm - below that point, it can bog down and is all too easy to stall.
It's certainly secure and sure-footed in the bends, but the lack of feel through the steering and the obvious body roll soon discourage you from chucking the Koleos around. On the other hand, if you have a long way to go on main roads, you'll soon appreciate the wonderfully comfortable ride, the excellent refinement and smooth, flexible engine.
What's more, four-wheel drive versions of the Koleos are also very impressive off-road - arguably better than you would ever need it to be. Still, as far as Renault are concerned, that's the luxury of being able to call on Nissan's help. Under the skin, the Koleos owes an awful lot to the X-Trail, and with those proven mechanicals allied to good ground clearance, the Koleos is one of the best in its class. On the other hand, if you just want 4x4 style without the 4x4, you can always buy a two-wheel drive version.The Koleos is also one of the best for practicality, if not quite the class-leader. For a start, the driving position is good, with the extra height naturally a big help in town. The decent room up front is mirrored in the back, and you could certainly take four adults in a Koleos. The only problems are that the rear bench is a bit tight for three abreast, and the folding trays on the beck of the front seats eat into the available knee room.
The boot's a good shape, too, but it's all the little touches that most impress you on the Koleos. The neat cubbies in the cabin floor are a nice touch, as is the split tailgate, with a lower part that's strong enough for two people to sit on when folded down. But, the neatest trick of all is the way a single handle in the boot drops each part of the 60/40 split rear seat to leave a flat boot floor when you need more space.
Overall, the Koleos is a mighty fine first effort, and one that wisely steers a separate path to many of its rivals. It's an SUV that puts the emphasis on the U rather than the S, and all the better for it. It may not tempt buyers away from a RAV4, but if you're looking for something a little different with added added go-anywhere ability, it's more than worth a look.
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