Renault has a low-key presence in Australia - having re-launched the brand several times it seems difficult for the French marque to get some traction in the Australian market. That's somewhat common among all three French brands here, perhaps Australians don't click with some French cars these days.
We're in a diesel Koleos Dynamique front-wheel drive. A tall, narrow-ish five-seat auto family wagon that starts from $36,490 (which is Commodore Sportwagon money if you look at metal-per-dollar comparison).
The Koleos takes some getting used to in the looks department, so the generally-conservative Australian car-buying public isn't going to flock en masse. The higher driving position will appeal to many who want the SUV panorama - at least looking forward - without the truck road manners.
Driving
The diesel is a little chuggy but it is enthusiastic and swift, easily drifting over metropolitan speed limits before the driver is attuned to the engine noise. The driver will have to be careful with the credit-card-like ignition key, which is good and bad (I thought I'd lost it twice) as it's not as bulky in your pocket as a normal key - it can be left in your pocket as the push-button start is keyless.
The automatic is smooth but slow, but works neatly with the electronic park brake to switch on and off with Park. The cruise control has a speed-limiter function and it is a wise addition. The ride quality is good and it can turn without feeling top-heavy, but the turning circle is poor.
Fit-out and equipment
The seats are comfortable front and rear but it's not overly spacious for width or for legroom in the rear. The near full-length sunroof has a blind but in Australian summers the climate control will be working hard most of the time, particularly for the rear passengers - although it does have rear B-pillar vents. What made matters worse was the climate control's penchant for defaulting off and not firing up at re-ignition to the temperature set before - the dealer advises it can be changed.
The test car's Bose sound system, with 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, produced a nice noise at more than acceptable volume. The features list also includes automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric folding mirrors (more so required for Paris than Adelaide, but handy nonetheless), reach'n'tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, a trip computer, climate control with filter, a ‘child minder’ mirror that is very handy and useful rear-side window sunblinds. There’s a decent boot, despite the full-size spare.
A rugrat favourite was the aircraft-style tables on the front seatbacks - great for books and toys. The test car also had some options, among them the aforementioned Bose seven-speaker sound system with 6-CD stacker for a reasonable $800, the panoramic sunroof for $1890 and the Leather Pack, which adds leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and a rear-seat folding system for a value-for-money $2500.
One of Renault's specialties is safety - there's dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, pretensioner-equipped front seatbelts and load-limiters on all five seatbelts, anti-whiplash front seat head restraints. If an accident occurs the Koleos automatically unlocks its doors and shuts down the fuel system.
Overall
In terms of buying a family hauler, the Renault faces opposition from similarly-priced local wagons and SUVs, many which have a bit of extra space. But if you're after French flair in an SUV-style package, the Koleos is pricey but reasonably-equipped and comfortable - but the level of flair is in the eye of the beholder.
Renault Koleos 2010: Dynamique (4x2)
| Engine Type | Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.3L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $2,640 - $4,070 |
| Safety Rating |
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