Test drive Renault Koleos: International

Renault Koleos, first presented at the motor show in Geneva in 2008, became for the company Renault a debut in the segment of all-wheel drive crossovers, if we do not recall the unsuccessful experiment with Renault Megane Scenic RX4. Then the French acted alone, and today they have a powerful alliance with the Japanese Nissan behind them.

Therefore, Koleos can rightly be called international: it was designed in Japan, has a French soul, and is assembled in South Korean Busan. The appearance of this model closed the gaping hole in the Renault model range — the company had long lacked its own crossover. To implement the ambitious plans of the head of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Carlos Ghosn, it was necessary to act quickly and without unnecessary costs.

Renault Koleos, the first full-fledged crossover of the French brand, has an international pedigree: French design, Japanese development, South Korean assembly.

And so it happened. The main funds went to the creation of the design. The technical filling was borrowed from partners: the platform — from Nissan Qashqai, the gasoline engine with a volume of 2.5 liters and the all-wheel drive system — from X-Trail, and the continuously variable CVT from Nissan is already well known to us. The diesel engine is Renault's own, but the version with it has not yet reached us (the Russian representative office says that deliveries are planned, but the timing is not named), so we will talk about the gasoline modification with a CVT — it was such a car that we had for a test.

Looking at the Renault Koleos, which has already become familiar on the streets of Moscow, you understand: the French had a hand in it. There are no design frills in the spirit of Vel Satis or the futurism of the new Laguna III here. But the origin is visible without hints. The calm appearance, devoid of German aggression, may seem bland or even rough to some, but for a family car driven by the average European, it is just right. And since we look up to Europe, we should also pay attention to the Koleos.

Body rolls in corners and a slight nose dive during hard braking do not prevent the driver from clearly feeling the moment of drift. The energy-intensive suspension easily digests both minor surface defects and serious irregularities. The ride smoothness is excellent!

We have already gotten used to the quality of the interior trim thanks to the new Laguna III. In the Koleos you feel at home: pleasant plastic, soft and comfortable front seats, a plump leather steering wheel and a neat dashboard — no hint of the design quirks that the French are guilty of. The steering column adjusts in two planes, and the range of adjustments of the front seats is quite sufficient. True, for me, accustomed to a low seating position, a couple of centimeters in height were missing — as a result, you sit like on a bus.

The quality of the interior trim is at the level of the new Laguna III. The Koleos cabin is cozy: quality materials and elegant design. Ergonomics are good, but those who like to sit low will lack seat height adjustment.

The simple instrument panel does not shine with beauty, but it presents information perfectly. At the top of the dashboard there is a monochrome screen, which in Europe can be replaced with a color navigation display. The audio system is controlled by the familiar steering column joystick. On the steering wheel there are cruise control buttons. At the bottom of the center console are hidden a slot for the chip key, an engine start button and a key for selecting the all-wheel drive transmission mode.

In frost, a nuance was discovered: the windshield defroster vent is too narrow. In winter on the highway, the edges of the glass receive little warm air, snow that gets on them instantly freezes, and visibility deteriorates.

The exterior of the Renault Koleos is not overloaded with French design frills, but the corporate style is easily recognizable.

In the back of the Renault Koleos there is not too much space, but passengers will appreciate the functionality: window shades, folding tables in the backs of the front seats, a convenient armrest with a compartment, two hidden boxes in the floor, seatback angle adjustment and a separate fan with its own button that supplies air to the deflectors on the central pillars. The trunk holds 450 liters, and with the rear row folded — 1380 liters, which is not a record in the class. In the floor we found a full-size spare tire — a rarity among competitors. The split tailgate is convenient, but the loading height let us down.

At the top of the dashboard there is a monochrome screen, which in Europe is replaced with a color navigation display. The audio system is controlled by a convenient steering column joystick. At the bottom of the console there is a slot for the chip key, an engine start button and an all-wheel drive control key. The electromechanical "handbrake" is already in the base, but the air freshener is already additional equipment :)

Under the hood of the test Renault Koleos — a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with 170 hp, working in tandem with a continuously variable CVT. The engine dutifully delivers its "horses": at traffic light starts the "Frenchman" does not let down, and overtaking is easy. The CVT makes itself known only by a smoother response to the gas pedal and a strained hum when the pedal is floored. But in traffic jams it is ideal: soft reactions will be appreciated by both the driver and passengers. The steering lacks feedback: the car obeys, but due to the weak effort on the "wheel" the driver does not feel it. But in parking the "light" steering wheel is a help: the Koleos has a large turning radius, and where others turn around in one go, the Frenchman needs an additional maneuver.

The steering lacks feedback: the crossover obeys, but the driver does not feel it. But in parking the "light" steering wheel is an excellent helper, because the Koleos has a considerable turning radius.

As for the behavior on the road, the Renault Koleos here also remains imperturbable and balanced, while in critical situations it does not let down. And this is correct: the one who gets behind the wheel of a French crossover does not need "battles on the asphalt" at all. No extra drive — reactions to steering wheel turns are precise and predictable. Let the body noticeably roll in corners, and with a sharp press on the brake the car nods its nose, the driver still perfectly understands when the front wheels will start to lose traction. The suspension with a large energy reserve swallows any potholes without causing inconvenience to the occupants. Small road defects for the Koleos seem not to exist at all. It does not give in to more serious irregularities either. The ride smoothness is simply excellent! Add here decent sound insulation — and it turns out that this "Frenchman" is one of the most comfortable in its segment.

The trunk does not impress with its size — only 450 liters. If you fold the rear seatbacks, the space grows to 1380 liters, but this is not a record for this class either. It seems that the useful volume was sacrificed for the sake of a full-size spare tire, which is hidden under the floor. The split tailgate is convenient to use, although the loading height could be lower.

For serious off-roading, the Renault Koleos is certainly not designed, but it handles light off-road confidently. It's no wonder it's called a crossover with increased cross-country capability. The approach angle is 27 degrees, departure angle is 31 degrees. Plus protective trim on the bumpers at the bottom — and you can safely head onto dirt roads. It's worth noting that the Koleos handles simple off-road sections with the same ease and composure. We didn't dare to test fate further: the electronics too diligently "strangle" the transmission, cutting fuel supply, which could end in a long search for a tractor.

Under the hood of the test Renault Koleos is a 2.5-liter petrol engine producing 170 hp, which works together with a CVT. The engine honestly delivers its "horses": at traffic light starts, the "Frenchman" doesn't lose face, and overtaking is in perfect order.

The minimum price of the Renault Koleos with manual transmission in the Expression version is 869,000 rubles. For this money, you get a fabric interior, air conditioning, ABS, a simple audio system with four speakers, two front airbags, and a full electric package. The Dynamique trim, which adds painted mirrors, different interior trim, roof rails, cruise control, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, an audio system with MP3 support and six speakers, rain and light sensors, as well as side airbags and curtain airbags, will cost 40,000 more. Another 40,000 will have to be paid extra for the continuously variable transmission.

The instrument panel looks simple and without frills, but that doesn't stop it from remaining well-readable. The front seats please with a good shape and lateral support. In the back, tall passengers will be a bit cramped, but functionality is in perfect order. On a long trip, those sitting in the "gallery" will be pleased with window shades, two fold-down tables in the backs of the front seats, a convenient armrest with a small compartment, two hidden boxes in the floor, seatback angle adjustment, and a separate fan with its own button that directs air to the vents in the central pillars.

If you need a cabin with extended functionality — additional compartments, tables, and an adjustable rear seatback — it's worth looking at the Dynamique Confort trim, which is priced at 979,000 rubles. The flagship Luxe Privilege version with bi-xenon headlights, Bose audio system, panoramic roof, and stability control will cost 1,074,000 rubles.

Ruslan Galimov