My Shortlist 
It is so very French. Take an idea that in any other hands may be utilitarian, add a little individuality and a big dose of style and ... voila.
Not that the end result is always what the rest of the world desires.
Renault learned that with its quirky Vel Satis - altogether too different for anyone outside France - and even the decisive big-butt Megane. This time, however, the French polish on a decidedly non-French segment could see Renault on a winner.
The Koleos is claimed to be the first French off-roader on the Aussie market -true, if you ignore Renault's failed soft-road makeover of the Scenic.
“This is the most important product for Renault since the relaunch into Australia in 2001,” Renault Australia boss Rudi Koenig says. “It doesn't matter who you are, you have to have the product. For us, it's the Koleos.
“We tried [this segment] with the Scenic but that didn't really work. With the Koleos we will go from competing in 34 per cent of the market to 40 per cent ... that is very significant.”
Renault has thought long and hard to give the Koleos every chance in one of the most competitive segments in Australia. Renault hopes to sell 150 Koleos a month, sales Koenig is confident will be largely incremental.
It will launch in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations with a mix and match of petrol and diesel engines with manual, automatic and CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearboxes.
The end result is not as complex as it may seem with two levels of trim and six variants.
The entry-level 4x2 comes in Dynamique trim with 2.5-litre petrol and 6-speed manual at $29,990. You can add $3000 for the CVT.
The 4WD version of the trim, also in petrol and coupled to the CVT, is $36,990. The twin diesels, essentially the same engine but in 127kW trim for the 6-speed manual or a detuned 110kW to stop the 6-speed automatic box overheating, are 4WD at $39,990.
At the top of the tree is the petrol CVT in Privilege trim at $41,990.
Standard fare is six airbags, stability control, electronic handbrake, 17-inch alloys, cruise control, a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and dual-zone airconditioning.
The Privilege steps up with front and rear parking sensors, hands-free entry and engine start, seven-speaker Bose sound system, leather trim, heated front seats and easy-fold rear seats, 12V socket in the boot, removable centre bin and various storage options.
Metallic paint is an $800 option, a panoramic glass sunroof is $1890 and bi-Xenon headlights (for Privilege only) are $1950.
Based on the Nissan X-Trail platform, using the selectable Nissan 4WD system and a petrol engine from Nissan - the twin-tune diesel is from Renault's own stable - it is what Renault has done with the style and character of the Koleos that sets it apart.
There is nothing boxy and off-road about the look of the Koleos. It retains a good degree of SUV - command seating and higher ride - but in a manner that won't draw snarls and glares around the school gate.
“While the [4x4] Koleos is capable of getting off-road, it is the urban jungle that it will occupy most,” Renault Australia marketing boss Christophe di-Perna says. “There is no reason why you should have to sacrifice comfort.”
While the exterior differentiates from the X-Trail, it is on the inside and on the move that the gulf widens. There is little about the cabin that is truly quirky. Stylish is about as long a leash as the Renault fashionistas were allowed.
The materials look and feel richer than the price suggests, particularly in the lighter trim. The instrument binnacle is well set out and easy to read and most controls are readily to hand.
Space is good, although rear leg room is not for anyone planning a career in basketball. Headroom is generous throughout.
There are no such caveats with cargo space. The 450 litres available behind the seats - 1380 with the rear seats folded - gains from easy access through the horizontally-split tailgate.
On the go the Koleos is no sports car, though it doesn't claim to be. The suspension is compliant to the point of softness, yet on extremely broken suburban roads it behaves admirably. Pushed along on open sections there is significant body roll, but it is not an environment where many Koleos will spend significant time. Neither is it that disconcerting.
Steering is vague but, with exceptions such as the Mazda CX-7, is the norm for the urban SUV.
All three engines have their charm. The pick is the 127kW and 360Nm 2.0-litre diesel but that comes coupled only to the six-speed manual - a considerable deterrent to many.
So if you are not towing - the manual is rated at two tonnes while the auto drops to just 1350kg - there is little given up by choosing the lesser automatic diesel.
The 126kW 2.5-litre petrol, coupled to the CVT is likely to be the top seller, not only because it is the only combination availablein both 4x2 and 4xs4. It is a fine light-duty combination around town with good take-off and acceptable mid-range. If you take the Koleos away from made roads the 4x4 models won't disappoint - and why should they, using the same capable system used in the X-Trail.
Comments on this story
Tony Posted at 23 April 2009 2:08pm
Owen Davis of Cairns Posted at 22 April 2009 11:41am
Byron Khan Posted at 12 February 2009 10:28pm