2008 Renault Koleos Reviews

The Renault Koleos is a crossover, both in where it can be driven - as well as where it is built. It is a French design using a drivetrain sourced from Nissan in Japan and is built in South Korea.

Graham Smith reviews the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Renault Koleos as a used buy. The French brand’s wagon came from an alliance with Nissan. New The Koleos came from the alliance between Renault and Nissan. It was based on Nissan’s renowned all-wheel drive X-Trail platform, although with its

Peter Huntington is more than happy with his 2009 Renault Koleos 6-speed auto diesel. He says the gear changes are seamless, the ride and handling is superb, and it returns around 8L/100km around the city and even less on country trips. His only quibble is the cost of engine oil and filters, which he says are expensive.Alan Sharp was looking for the flexibility of a wagon when he bought his two-wheel drive CVT Koleos in 2012 and he is happy with his decision. He says it is a pleasure to drive, is comfortable, has adequate performance, and there has been no problems to date. His only criticism is that it can be a tight squeeze with the rear seats occupied plus luggage.Superb is the word Bruce Barber uses to describe his 2009 Dynamique 4WD with the petrol engine and CVT transmission. It is smooth, quiet, comfortable, and powerful. It has done 65,000km and has been trouble-free. Brake pads were replaced at 50,000 km, and the original tyres were replaced at 60,000.Before his 2011 Koleos Expression CVT Bob Brown owned a Renault Scenic, which was unreliable and expensive to service. The Koleos, on the other hand, has done 90,000km and there have been no problem at all, and on top of that he's found the servicing costs to be much more reasonable. He adds that it's comfortable, has great storage, the folding seats allow great flexibility, and he gets 8.5L/100km.Norm Hill has done 65,000 km in his two-wheel drive 2011 Dynamique with great pleasure. The 2.5-litre motor pulls well and he likes the CVT transmission. His average fuel consumption is 9.5L/100km from a mix of city and country driving. To date there have been no problems with it, the tyres were replaced at 52,000km, but it's still on the same set of brake linings. He also loves the vast array of features it has, particularly the very practical two-piece tailgate.NEWThe Koleos was a product of the alliance between Renault and Nissan and made use of much of the all-wheel drive hardware available in the Nissan parts store.It was based on the Nissan X-Trail and used the same all-mode 4x4 running gear from the X-Trail.With its fresh, attractive looks there was little hint that the five-seater Koleos was a close corporate cousin of the conservative X-Trail.Renault introduced the Koleos with two levels of trim, the entry level Dynamique and the better-equipped Privilege, with 4x4 and 4x2 petrol and diesel models. The two-wheel drive Expression was added to the range in 2010 when it became the entry-level model.The petrol engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit producing 126kW at 6000 rpm and 226Nm at 4400 rpm, while the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel was available in two tune variants depending on whether you chose the manual or automatic transmission.When linked to the manual gearbox it put out 127kW and 360Nm, but was detuned for the CVT auto and put out 110kW and 440Nm in that combination.The transmission choices were a six-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed auto, and a CVT continuously variable transmission.Renault cleverly offered the Koleos in two-wheel drive form, in which it was a regular front driver, or four-wheel drive form when it had Nissan's well respected all-wheel drive 4x4-i system.With the 4x4 system the Koleos could be driven in two-wheel drive mode, auto or four-wheel drive with the flick of a switch.In auto mode, it ran in front-wheel drive until the system detected wheel slip when it would begin feeding drive to the rear wheels as well. The maximum torque split between front and rear wheels was set at 50 per cent.The cabin was stylish and modern, and quite roomy, although tall occupants would find the rear a little cramped.The fit and finish was generally of a good standard, and the materials used looked and felt of a decent quality. NOWAs can be seen from the feedback we've had from Koleos owners they are more than happy with their cars.None report any issues with them in the time they have been driving them, and they also report good mileage from brakes and tyres.Fuel mileage is also on the money with the claimed figures issued by Renault, which should give prospective owners good confidence of what they too can expect to get.No one has complained about the CVT transmission, or reported any problems with it, which should also give prospective owners some comfort in buying cars with this quirky transmission.As always check for a service record. Regular maintenance is critical to a long and reliable motoring life, so make sure the car you're thinking of buying has seen the inside of a workshop on a regular basis.Although the Koleos isn't a hardcore off-roader some owners could have taken them to the beach or down a bush track, and they're quite capable to doing that. Just make sure they haven't been beaten up in the process.Take a look around the body for dings and dents, check the rear bumper to see if it has ever been ripped off, and get down and peer underneath for damage to the underbody and components under the vehicle.SMITHY SAYSRefined, comfortable, safe and reliable. There is a lot to like about the Koleos.AT A GLANCE SPECSPrice new: $29,990 to $39,990Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 126 kW/226 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 110 kW/320 NmTransmission: 6-speed man, CVT, FWD, 4WDEconomy: 9.5 L/100 km (2.5); 8.3 L/100 km (TD)Body: 4-door wagonVariants: Dynamique, Expression, PrivilegeSafety: 5-star ANCAP 

Renault was late coming to the SUV scene, but when it did arrive it did so with quite a bang in the form of the Koleos.  Given its association with Nissan and access to the Japanese carmaker's off-road expertise it was inevitable that Renault would build an SUV. It was also a given that when it did it would be a competent off-roader.MODEL WATCHThe Koleos was something of an international traveler in the auto world being the product of the French-Japanese alliance between Nissan and Renault and built in Korea by Renault Samsung Motors.While the Koleos was based on the Nissan X-Trail and used the same all-mode 4x4 running gear from the X-Trail it brought a touch of French flair to the SUV scene.At first glance you would not have guessed the five-seater Koleos wagon was a close corporate cousin of the X-Trail, it had a fresh, attractive look that clearly set it apart from the more conservative looking Nissan.Renault introduced the Koleos with two levels of trim, the entry level Dynamique and the better-equipped Privilege, with 4x4 and 4x2 petrol and diesel models.The petrol engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit producing 126 kW at 6000 revs and 226 Nm at 4400 revs, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel was available in two tune variants depending on the transmission choice.When linked to the manual gearbox it put out 127 kW and 360 Nm, but was detuned to take care of the auto and put out 110 kW and 4400 Nm in that combination.Renault cleverly offered the Koleos in two-wheel drive form, in which it was a regular front driver, or four-wheel drive form when it had Nissan's all-wheel drive 4x4-i system.  With the 4x4 system the Koleos could be driven in two-wheel drive mode, auto or four-wheel drive with a switch.In auto mode, it ran in front-wheel drive until the system detected wheel slip when it would begin driving the rear wheels as well. The maximum torque split between front and rear wheels was set at 50 percent.The transmission choices were a six-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed auto, and a CVT continuously variable transmission. The cabin was stylish and modern, and quite roomy, although tall occupants would find the rear a little cramped.The fit and finish was generally of a good standard, and the materials used looked and felt of a decent quality.IN THE SHOPThe feedback from the field is that little is troubling Koleos owners to date, which is a good sign that they are in for a reliable run.  Nissan X-Trail mechanical package isn't giving any indication of having problems and that should translate across to the Koleos as well.While the Koleos is unlikely to find its way off the black top it's still a wise move to check underneath for damage that might have been caused by going bush.Also make the usual checks for a regular service routine, and crash repairs to the body.IN A CRASHWith standard front, side and head airbags, stability control, and ABS anti-lock braking the Koleos was well placed to cope with a crash.  ANCAP gave it five out of five stars in its crash testing.UNDER THE PUMPRenault claimed the Koleos would do between 7.2 L/100 km (diesel) and 9.9 L/100 km (petrol). Carsguide readers report that on average they get 8.2L/100km from the diesel and 10.8L/100km from the petrol version.OWNERS SAYDara and her husband Brian were looking at a Nissan X-Trail before discovering the Koleos. They bought the Renault and say they love everything about it. It is great to drive, very quiet, the radio and speakers are excellent, and there is plenty of legroom for six- footers like Brian.David says his 2009 diesel manual Koleos has light steering, but a woeful turning circle, the seats are a bit flat and he would like more rear legroom. To date, with 40,000 km on the odo, it has been largely trouble free. His only issue has been blocking of the DPF filter, which was fixed with a dealer forced regeneration and an ECU upgrade so it doesn't get blocked again. Dealer servicing isn't Toyota cheap, but isn't BMW dear either.Paul Burke's Koleos is his third Renault, and he says he has had no trouble with any of them. With five alloys, heated electric seats, choice of leather colour, and a split tailgate shopping is great particularly for oldies. The 2.5-litre auto cruises well and is so quiet, the sound system is unbelievable, and it runs on standard fuel.LOOK FORFresh stylish lookChoice of petrol or dieselProven Nissan mechanicalsRoomy cabinTHE BOTTOM LINEStylish French wagon with proven Japanese mechanical package makes for an attractive SUV package. 80/100

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 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 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.

It has taken a long time for Renault to join the four-wheel-drive club. There is no real reason for the delay, when you remember that it was Frenchman Thierry Sabine who created the famous Paris-Dakar off-road rally 30 years ago to spark a new European boom in 4WDs.Sabine is gone now, but Renault revived plenty of memories when it chose Morocco — always on the classic Paris-Dakar route — to preview its Koleos.The Koleos, named after a European butterfly, is far from a typically aggressive Dakar rally vehicle, even though it trumps the earlier Renault Scenic RX4 with genuine off-road capability.It comes thanks to Nissan. The Koleos gets the all-mode 4x4-i running gear from the latest X-Trail, even if it is tailored more for young urbanites with a sense of weekend adventure than intrepid transcontinental explorers.Renault admits it has been slow to join the 4WD movement, but plans to catch up fast.“We were a bit slow. It's a cultural thing: the French don't have much of a need for an SUV,” Renault's Christophe Deville says.“But now we want to be in this SUV segment because it is progressing,” he says.Based on the Nissan X-Trail and the first product of the alliance between the French and Japanese carmakers, Koleos is being built in South Korea by Renault Samsung Motors.Renault Australia senior communications manager Craig Smith says South Korean manufacture means pricing will be keen — starting at $30,000 and ranging up to the low $40,000 — when the Koleos arrives in Australia in September.There will be three trim levels, with 4x4 and 4x2 petrol models and a diesel 4x4, with a 4x2 diesel to come within six months of launch.Transmission options range from a six-speed automatic to a six-speed manual and continually-variable transmission.ON THE ROADQuite opposite to the boxy X-Trail, the 4.5m Koleos is elegant with a swooping roofline and rising waistline. The only hint of aggression is in the front and rear skid plates.The cabin is stylish and modern, with an attractive wave-design dashboard.Luxury features include a seven-speaker Bose system with subwoofer, cruise control with speed limiter, electronic handbrake, optional panoramic sunroof (about $2500), trip computer and a start/stop button.“It certainly won't be a spartan model,” Renault Australia senior communications manager Craig Smith says, even if Bluetooth and satellite navigation will not be available and iPod connectivity is only an option.Some interesting features are a chilled glovebox, a horizontally split rear tailgate with a 200kg limit on the lowered door, and automatically folding rear seats at the push of a latch by the tailgate.Other features are B pillar air vents with airconditioning fan controls in the rear and aircraft-style trays on the backs of the front seats.The 2.0-litre diesel engine will come in 110kW/320Nm and 127kW/360Nm. Renault claims fuel economy of 7.2 litres for 100km for the lower output model with CO2 emissions of 191g/km in the 4x2 six-speed manual.The diesel engine features in other Renaults and will be available in the X-Trail in Australia from July.The 2.5-litre petrol engine has 126kW at 6000 revs and 226Nm at 4400 revs, with thirsty fuel consumption ranging from 9.3 to 9.9 litres for 100km depending on transmission and drive, with emissions from 223-230g/km.Koleos is the first Renault with 4WD from launch. The all-mode 4x4-i drive system developed by Nissan for the new X-Trail can be operated in 2WD, auto and 4WD modes with a switch.In auto mode, it runs in front-wheel-drive until sensors detect slip. The electronic coupler then diverts a maximum of 50 per cent of torque to the rear.It takes into account wheel speed, yaw, forward and sideways acceleration, steering wheel angle and accelerator pedal position.Renault claims torque is split fast enough in most conditions to avoid intervention by stability control.From standstill, torque is evenly split for the first 50m for better launch grip and the Koleos also has an automatic hill-start assist.Safety gear runs from electronic stability control to anti-skid brakes and six airbags with curtain airbags that extend to the second row.The Koleos will be the second Renault in Australia with a three-year 150,000km warranty after the launch in July of the Laguna diesel hatch.Smith says Renault Australia plans to sell 100 to 150 a month, making it the biggest-selling model, topping the Megane sedan at 70-80.“We have 25 per cent of the market segments covered, but with Koleos that will lift to about 40 per cent,” Smith says.