2021 Renault Koleos pricing and specs detailed: Is this updated French SUV better equipped to steal sales away from the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5?

Renault Australia has updated its Koleos mid-size SUV for the 2021 model year with extra equipment, but bumped pricing up for all but the entry-level variant.

New in 2021 is the standard fitment of LED headlights and automatic high beams on the entry Life and mid-tier Zen grades, which are priced at $32,990 before on-road costs and $36,790 (+$300) respectively.

The top-spec Intens is also available in front-drive and all-wheel-drive forms, priced at $43,290 (+$300) and $45,790 (+$300) each, however new equipment now includes black Nappa leather upholstery, massaging driver’s seat, new headrest with cushion-length adjustment, automatically dipping side mirror when reversing, dynamic turn signals and LED reversing lights.

The AWD version also scores hill-descent control in addition to its added grip.

All Koleos models are powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine outputting 126kW/226Nm, which is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Carryover equipment in the Life grade includes 17-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 7.0-inch driver display and dual-zone climate control.

On the safety side, the Renault Koleos comes standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring, hill-start assist, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and cruise control.

Stepping up to the Zen adds 18-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, satellite navigation, auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated front seats, as well as blind-spot monitoring, and front and side parking sensors.

The top-spec Intens nabs 19-inch wheels with a two-tone finish, LED headlights, powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, larger 8.7-inch multimedia touchscreen, 11-speaker Bose sound system and cooled front seats.

The Koleos was Renault’s best-selling model last year, finding 2408 (-4.9%) new homes, though is still trails the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 (38,537) and Mazda CX-5 (21,979) by some margin.

Renault Australia boss Anouk Poelmann said signs are positive for the Koleos though, as the market starts to rebound from the effects brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Koleos had a great result in 2020, recording a total of 2,408 sales in a year that presented the toughest selling conditions in memory,” she said.

“It set a new watermark for Renault sales, with 620 sales in November as more Australian customers realised its outstanding mix of performance, safety and value for money.

“The upgraded version adds a raft of new creature comforts and we are confident the momentum built in 2020 will continue when the new model arrives.”

2021 Renault Koleos pricing before on-road costs

Variant	Price
Life FWD	$32,990 (No change)
Zen FWD	$36,790 (+$300)
Intens FWD	$43,290 (+$300)
Intens AWD	$45,790 (+$300)