Review: Renault XZG Koleos (2016-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in August 2016, the Renault XZG Koleos was a mid-size SUV. Manufactured in Busan, South Korea, the Renault XZG Koleos was initially powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT or ‘Xtronic’). Furthermore, the Koleos range consisted Life, Zen and Intens editions.

In September 2017, the XZG Koleos range was expanded with the introduction of 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines. While Renault Australia referred to these models as ‘Diesel’ editions, they were similarly equipped to the petrol-powered Intens editions.

‘All Mode 4x4i’: all-wheel drive system

The all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the Renault Koleos utilised an electronically-controlled coupling and enabled the driver to select from the following drive modes:

• 2WD: front-wheel drive only;
• Auto (default): at speeds of up to 80 km/h, Auto mode was predominantly front-wheel drive but had a predictive function – based on throttle position and engine speed – which could anticipate wheel spin and redirect torque accordingly. Beyond 80 km/h, however, the system reacted to wheel-spin by shifting drive rearwards to restore traction as required; and,
• Lock: for difficult conditions and at low speeds (i.e. less than 40 km/h), the ‘Lock’ setting provided permanent four-wheel drive with a fixed 50:50 front:rear torque distribution.

Body and dimensions

The Renault XZG Koleos was underpinned by the Nissan/Renault CMF-C/D architecture which was shared with the Nissan T32 X-Trail and Nissan J11 Qashqai . Compared to the Renault XZG Koleos which it replaced, the 2016 Koleos was 150 mm longer (at 4670 mm), 35 mm wider (1840 mm) and had a 20 mm longer wheelbase (2710 mm). The Renault Koleos had ground clearance of 213 mm, with approach and departure angles of 19 and 26 degrees, respectively.

With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity for the Renault Koleos was 542 dm³under the VDA method. However, the 60/40-split rear bench seat had ‘Easy Break’ handles located inside the boot that could be used to fold the rear seats and increase luggage capacity to 1690 dm³.

Suspension and steering

The Renault XZG Koleos had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Furthermore, the Renault Koleos had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Renault XZG Koleos included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

The Renault Koleos Zen was available with an optional, extra-cost safety pack which included the following technologies –

• Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB): operating at speeds from 30 km/h to 145 km/h, the driver would be alerted by an audible tone and a visual warning in the instrument panel (‘Forward Collision Warning’, or FCW) if the distance to the vehicle ahead decreased such that there was a risk of collision. In this situation, braking assistance would be increased to apply greater braking force when the driver depressed the brake pedal. If the driver failed to respond, however, then the brakes would be applied automatically for a maximum duration of two seconds to reduce vehicle speed; and,
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW): operating at speeds from 30 km/h to 145 km/h, a visual signal would appear in the door mirror when another vehicle was detected in the driver’s blind spot.

The Koleos Intens and Koleos Diesel were fitted with the safety pack items as standard, as well as Lane Departure Warning (LDW). Operating at speeds above 71 km/h, the driver would receive audible and visual warnings if a lane marking was crossed and the indicators had not been activated to signal a lane change.

From April 2018, the Renault Koleos was equipped with Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Renault XZG Koleos received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the front occupants was generally rated as good, except for protection of the driver’s lower right leg which was rated as marginal (i.e. a moderate risk of serious injury). In the side impact and pole tests, driver protection was rated as good for all body areas.

Features: Koleos Life

Standard features for the Renault Koleos Life included 17-inch alloy wheels, sound system with auxiliary input (3.5 mm) and two USB inputs, Renault’s ‘R-Link 2’ connectivity system with a seven-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cloth upholstery, front fog lights with cornering function, rear fog lights, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split rear bench seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a 12 volt power socket, tyre pressure monitor, a trip computer and immobiliser.

As standard, the Renault Koleos had a full-sized temporary spare wheel.

From April 2018, the ‘R-Link 2’ infotainment system had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard.

Features: Koleos Zen

Compared to the Koleos Life, the Koleos Zen was urther equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation with voice control, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry) with automatic locking on walking away, and an electronic parking brake.

Features: Koleos Intens and Koleos Diesel

The range-topping Koleos Intens and Koleos Diesel were both equipped with an 8.7-inch ‘portrait’ touchscreen (replacing the seven-inch unit for the Koleos Life and Intens), Bose sound system with twelve speakers, a subwoofer and digital amplifier, full grain leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, ‘Pure Vision’ LED headlights, remote engine start, automated parking (Renault’s ‘Easy Park Assist’), ambient lighting, hands-free tailgate operation and panoramic sunroof.

2018 Renault Koleos Initiale

The Renault Koleos Initiale was officially released in Australia in February 2018. Based on the Koleos 2.5i AWD Intens, the Koleos Initiale featured unique stitching for the leather upholstery. Visually, the Koleos Initiale could be identified by its 19-inch alloy wheels and ‘Black Amethyst’ metallic paint finish. Upon its release, the Koleos Initiale had a drive-away price of $49,490.

2018 Renault Koleos S-Edition

The Renault Koleos 2.5i FWD S-Edition was released in Australia in July 2018. Despite its drivetrain, the Koleos S-Edition was based on the Koleos Intens and distinguished by its 19-inch ‘Initiale Paris’ alloy wheels, metallic black door mirrors, ‘S-Edition’ sill plates and blue-trimmed interior (including blue-hued stitching for the black leather seat covers).

The Renault Koleos S-Edition was available in four paint colours: Solid White, Universal White, Meissen Blue and Grey Metallic. Upon its release, the Koleos S-Edition had a drive-away price of $44,990.

2019 Renault Koleos 2.5i FWD Formula Edition

The Renault Koleos Formula Edition was released in Australia in July 2019. Based on the Koleos 2.5i FWD Zen, the Formula Edition was distinguished by its 19-inch ‘Proteus’ alloy wheels with black centre caps, black door mirrors, silver side steps and ‘Formula Edition’ rear sticker. Furthermore, the Koleos Formula Edition was available in Universal White, Metallic Grey and Metallic Black paint finishes.

Australian deliveries of the Renault Koleos Formula Edition were limited to less than 400 vehicles and it had a drive-away price of $36,490.

Specifications

• Specifications: Renault XZG Koleos (October 2016)