Photo: Renault Australia
Australia is the first global market after Korea to get the all-new Renault Koleos. Prices range from AU$29,990 to $43,990, but we are a little disappointed with the powertrain being offered.
You see, the Koleos is supposed to be some hot-shot flagship model, but the engine is just the average one used by the Nissan X-Trail, a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit with 168 PS (126 kW) and 226 Nm (167 lb-ft) of torque. that's matched to a CVT. From what we understand, a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 170 PS (127kW) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft) of torque will also be offered around the middle of 2017. That should give us a good starting point for the European model.
To be honest, it's not Renault's fault. Everything it has touched is in excellent condition, and that includes the styling, the interior and the warranty offered with the car. But it's let down by the bits it got stuck with from the alliance. The upside is that it's about AU$500 cheaper to buy than the X-Trail
Despite this, company bosses expect this to become the top seller. And time will likely prove them right, as rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and VW Tiguan are posting increases.
Even if you are considering buying this car elsewhere in the world, you might want to check out the Australia-only photo gallery. That's doubly true if you're in another right-hand drive market... like Britain.
The basic Life and Zen trim levels usually come with front-wheel-drive and get a 7-inch landscape R-Link system. The flashy new 8.7-inch portrait setup is reserved for the Intens top trim level.
We've fallen in love with the interior of that one. It's covered in leather from head to toe and feature ambient lighting that reminds us of the Megane GT. You also get a 12-speaker sound system from Renault's favorite partners, Bose, an electric tailgate with hands-free opening and a sunroof. It looks like an affordable version of the Volvo XC90 in there!
To be honest, it's not Renault's fault. Everything it has touched is in excellent condition, and that includes the styling, the interior and the warranty offered with the car. But it's let down by the bits it got stuck with from the alliance. The upside is that it's about AU$500 cheaper to buy than the X-Trail
Despite this, company bosses expect this to become the top seller. And time will likely prove them right, as rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and VW Tiguan are posting increases.
Even if you are considering buying this car elsewhere in the world, you might want to check out the Australia-only photo gallery. That's doubly true if you're in another right-hand drive market... like Britain.
The basic Life and Zen trim levels usually come with front-wheel-drive and get a 7-inch landscape R-Link system. The flashy new 8.7-inch portrait setup is reserved for the Intens top trim level.
We've fallen in love with the interior of that one. It's covered in leather from head to toe and feature ambient lighting that reminds us of the Megane GT. You also get a 12-speaker sound system from Renault's favorite partners, Bose, an electric tailgate with hands-free opening and a sunroof. It looks like an affordable version of the Volvo XC90 in there!
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