SA Road Tests

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Revamped: 2022 Renault Koleos Dynamique CVT 4x2

Competent

Posted: November 13, 2021

The numbers
Prices: Expression @ R484 900 and Dynamique @ R534 900
Engine: 2488 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol
Power: 126 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 233 Nm at 4000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 185 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 8.8 l/100 km
Tank: 60 litres
Luggage: 464 – 1700 litres
Ground clearance: 210 mm
Turning circle: 11.4 metres
Max. towing capacity, unbraked/braked: 749/1500 kg
Standard tyre size: 225/60R18
Spare: Full size steel
Warranty: Five years, 150 000 km
Service plan: Five years, 90 000 km at 15 000 km intervals

A recent facelift and product re-alignment saw the Gen-2 Renault Koleos gaining a more pronounced front grille with chrome insets extending to the chrome-underlined fog lamps, LED head- and tail lamps, redesigned rear end with skid plate extending higher on the bumper and a modernised interior.

But local rationalisation had the 4x4 diesel dropped with only Expression and Dynamique 4x2 models remaining - along with the love-it-or-leave-it CVT. It’s responsive if treated gently but not so nice when cornered. Sudden demands for action still see it flaring, making lots of noise and going nowhere quickly. Or should that be slowly?

But let’s move on: There is a price difference of R50 000 between the two offerings but unless you’re feeling particularly parsimonious, there’s no contest. Dynamique level adds leather upholstery and steering wheel, electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support added for the driver, illuminated visor mirrors, blind spot warning, tyre pressure monitor, front and side parking sensors to complement those at the rear, reversing camera, electric parking brake, “mood lighting,” Pure Vision LED headlights that are 20 percent more powerful, with less glare, than halogen, electrochromic interior rearview mirror, folding wing mirrors, hands-free entry and starting, powered tailgate, 8.7-inch touchscreen audio system, extra USB points and two-tone, 18” alloy wheels.

Its Nissan QR25DE motor has been around in the present state of tune since 2007 and remains competent but not exciting. Its 126 kW and 233 Nm propel the Koleos to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 185 – performing solidly and getting the job done - all that its users want, really.

Other things users want are a load deck at a convenient height of about 75 cm, a couple of lights to make night-time loading easier, remote release catches to fold the 60:40-split seatbacks almost flat and a fully sized spare wheel under the baseboard.
 
Back-seat riders find plenty of headroom even though the seatbacks are rather upright, abundant knee space and just enough for feet should the driver have his or her seat ratcheted all the way down. There are two powered USBs, a 12-volt socket, supplementary vents at the rear of the console, two map pockets and smallish door bins. The usual armrest with cup holders is there too. Thanks to a low central tunnel, middle-seat passengers should be able to sit fairly comfortably.

Pilot and crew enjoy a big armrest box, four cup- or bottle carriers, a big glovebox, a pair of standard USBs, a further 12-volt power point and grab handles on either side of the console. Although some of the HVAC basics – maximum, recirculate, auto, defrost and temperature selector - are easy to reach, getting at vent direction and fan speeds requires delving into a menu.

Koleos is solidly built and does its job of moving families comfortably and without fuss, but we feel that Renault has perhaps overdone the gadgetry just a little.

Test unit from Renault SA press fleet

We drove another Koleos 4x2 in 2021

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

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