Renault's SUV Koleos is packed with features

What is the rationale behind Koleos, Renault's only entry in the crossover segment? The answer: to fill a slot that it has ignored all along.

Renault has no automobile in SUV country so it decided to take a lesson from alliance partner Nissan, which has a slew of SUVs as well as crossovers. The result: the Koleos.

It couldn't have been very hard for Renault: fitting a new body onto a Nissan platform (the X-trail). But the Koleos is more crossover than SUV. Even my 17-year-old could discern that after a drive in it, saying "This SUV is more of a car, isn't it?"

Tough and practical

Routine hatchbacks can be boring, even for staid types. Everybody likes to look tough and secure. They would surely also like a car that is fun to use and practical. Renault's literature has it down pat: "The Koleos combines the high stance and features of an SUV with the cabin space of an MPV, and the comfort of a modern saloon car." So, a car that looks like an SUV or a crossover is good enough, because very few people actually need an SUV. The image is what matters; it suggests that the owner might be interesting.

The Koleos is more a crossover than hardcore SUV, but it very adequately serves its purpose. However, with a crowded market for smaller crossovers, does the Koleos stand out? My answer would be that it's not a bad-looking car and does a fair job of looking muscular.

Renault's intentions were to "offer the same reassuring drive in and about town, on open roads and motorways as well as off the beaten track." It certainly is comfortable and easy to drive, and even looks mean enough to push smaller cars out of its path. And yet, this crossover is only slightly bigger than a conventional hatchback.

A peek inside

So, what's it like inside? It has plenty of well-managed space, with the usual bells and whistles - something I can attest to. Leg space and head space (despite the sharply raked roof) is adequate. However, the third person in the back may find space wanting.

Boot space is an acceptable 450 litres, and the rear seats can be folded down flat. It includes a sizeable 15-litre glovebox, assorted cubby holes and underfloor boot stowage of 28 litres.

Storage is not a problem as the Koleos has nooks and crannies aplenty, including cup holders for all passengers. The cubby under the driver's armrest is ample. The soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and doors give the impression of good quality.

Fit and finish is pretty good too, and nothing squeaked or rattled. There is an air of spaciousness and comfort in the interior.

Packed with features

The model we drove came with all the usual comfort features. But the colours used are a bit bland - the car we drove had a preponderance of greys and beiges.

The designers could have taken a lesson from Nissan's Qashqai with its distinct colour-coded driver's section, and the deep-hued interiors.

The raised central console and instrumentation is intuitive. They are clear and well illuminated. A top-end Bose audio system sounded just fine.

Other features include a parking push-button which is very handy, automatic parking brake release, stop/start button, split-opening tailgate, cruise control with speed limiter, a panaromic sunroof, automatic bi-Xenon headlights and wipers.

The all-wheel drive versions of the Koleos include hill start assist and hill descent control.

The hill start assist function can be useful during everyday motoring as it is automatically activated on gradients of more than 10 per cent to prevent the vehicle from slipping back. The hill descent control system makes for safer off-roading (or what will pass for it in this vehicle) if you are so inclined.

The driver's seat is adjustable,and you can sit high despite the overall size of the car. The steering wheelis height- and reach-adjustable and does not obscure the instruments at any setting.

Smooth performer

But what really matters is how the car performs. The Koleos sports a 2.5-litre engine, that produces 170bhp at 6,000rpm, and 226Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. Not the most powerful of engines in its class, but more than adequate for the job at hand as we were to discover. It never felt sluggish, whether taking off at the traffic lights or overtaking on the highway.

The Koleos is designed to give you a solid and unflustered ride - and here it succeeds admirably. While the high driving position gives you confidence, this is one ‘SUV' that gives a car-like driving experience.

Admittedly, there is a slight amount of body roll on hard cornering, but it does not get out of hand. The power steering provides good feedback, however.

While the Koleos is a friendly, useful 4x4, it's not meant to be a full off-roader. The six-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox is well mated to the engine, and the performance is impressive.

It is ideal for both manoeuvrability required in the city as well as faster driving on the highways. With the four-wheel drive select you are supposed to have that bit of extra versatility to venture off-road. But just stick to the lightest of such tasks.

What it does best is drive well. The CVT produces seamless gear changes if you prefer to use the manual shift option to the gearbox. On-road, it steers quite precisely and feels likea good modern hatchback in whichyou simply sit higher.

Where safety is concerned, Koleos' active and passive safety features have received a maximum five-star rating in adult protection and, according to Renault, is one of only four models out of 17 tested in the small off-road 4x4 category to achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Other safety features include ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), EBA (emergency brake assist) and ESP (electronic stability programme) with understeer control.

Forget off-roading, but the Koleos is useful when you require more ground clearance than a hatchback.

On a more practical note, you would also get more front and rear approach and departure angles that can help avoid the high kerbs in car parks.

All this at a starting price of around Dh71,500 is certainly worth a look.