Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010) Review
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Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010) At A Glance
Friendly looking and vary capable SUV that combines features of a good SUV with benefits of a decent MPV. Smooth revving chain cam diesel. Good ride.
Higher CO2 than CR-V and Kuga.
Renault doesn't call it a ‘4x4' or an ‘SUV'. Instead it prefers the title ‘Crossover'. By which it means a cross between a hatchback, a 4x4 and an MPV. And it reckons that, coming almost last in the race to build this sort of vehicle, it has learned from the successes and failures of everything in front of it.
For example, the rear seat folding mechanism is clever, and a bit like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage's. You pull a lever either side of the hatchback and both sides of the 60/40 split rear seat flop down leaving a flat, unobstructed floor.
Instead of one big hatchback, the tailgate is split horizontally, so the top lifts up and the bottom hinges down, like a Mitsubishi Outlander's, taking 200kg, so two people can sit on it spectating at an event, or while pulling on their Wellingtons.
Rather than a limp-wristed excuse of a 4WD system, like a CR-V's or RAV-4's, the Koleos has the full Nissan X-Trail kit, that selects 4wd automatically when needed, allows you to lock the centre diff and has a clever pushbutton hill descent control that even works in reverse.
Reviews for Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals
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Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010) handling and engines
- Engines range from dCi 150 2WD to dCi 175 4WD
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 33–49 mpg
The only engines fitted are chain-cam diesels. No timing belts to snap. And new technology. The base engine is 191g/km CO2, the more powerful 175 is 209g/km and even the automatic is 221g/km. Usefully under 226g/km where VED will jump to £415 next year. Fuel economy claims aren't exaggerated, ranging from 39mpg for the standard engine with manual gears down to 34mpg for the automatic. So you probably won't be disappointed like many Freelander II diesel automatic owners have been.
Designed by Renault, Developed by Nissan and built by Samsung in Busan, South Korea, Project H45 (which became the Koleos) has a lot of other thoughtful features.
Driving pre-production cars it's all too easy to get a bad one and base all your findings on that. So it was fortunate this launch was split into two days with two identical spec but different cars, giving us two chances to get a representative example.
The good one was very good indeed. Sweet, free-revving, reasonably powerful diesel engine, though not a slugger. The engine gives 150Nm torque at 1,000rpm, 300Nm at 1,500rpm, but doesn't deliver its peak of 360Nm until 2,000rpm. However, on a long straight we saw 210kmh on the clock, which is 130mph and 13mph over its official top speed. Impressively, it felt very stable at that speed, whatever it really was.
Grip, roadholding and handling are very good for an SUV. It's only prone to lift-off understeer if you go into a corner too fast and, instead of balancing the car with more power, you lift off. Give it more beans on the apex and as long as you're not doing really silly speeds, it tucks in nicely. The ride on rough Moroccan tracks was outstanding. As good as a Hyundai Santa Fe's.
The 6-speed gearbox shifts reasonably precisely. It's not a sweet shift, but it's fine. Off road it's every bit as capable as an X-Trail, which is high praise in this sector, only likely to be beaten by a Freelander II, and that's arguable.
It's attractive, deliberately styled to be unaggressive, which has to be applauded. From the front it actually looks like a Clio on stilts, which isn't going to threaten or intimidate anyone.
And, if the furthest off road you're ever likely to venture off road is up a kerb, you can save yourself £1,000 and about 1 mile per gallon by opting for the two-wheel drive version. That will serenely shrug off stupid speed humps and potholes and look the part without dragging along unnecessary driveshafts.
The market for D sector cars (Mondeo size hatchbacks) has been declining in Europe for 10 years. Yet, however politicians may protest, the market for niche SUVs has been steadily increasing. (And guess what just happened to one of those politicians?)
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| dCi 150 2WD | 42 mpg | 10.0 s | 179 g/km |
| dCi 150 4WD | 39 mpg | 10.4 s | 191 g/km |
| dCi 175 4WD | 38 mpg | 9.9 s | 197 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
103%
Real MPG
33–49 mpg
MPGs submitted
46
Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010) interior
- Boot space is 450–1380 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4520 mm |
| Width | 1855 mm |
| Height | 1695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2690 mm |
There are cubbies everywhere, even in the floor, like a Renault Scenic's, and the deep cubby under the centre armrest lifts out like a bucket, so you can tip things out and clean it.
It's very quiet inside because engine noise is heavily insulated from the cabin. Rear seat passengers get their own individually controlled heating and air-conditioning vents, built into the door pillars. The hazard warning button is huge, triangular-shaped and right in the middle of the dash. The steering wheel adjusts up and down and in and out. Both front windows are one-touch. The front passenger seat back folds down forwards, becoming a table or allowing you to carry planks of wood up to 2.6 metres (8' 6") long. There's a fold down panoramic mirror for keeping an eye on kids in the back seat. It has huge disc brakes, capable of stopping the car from 62.5mph in 40 metres. And there is already an established range of dealer fit extras, such as towbar, bike rack, even a tent.
Renault Koleos (2008 – 2010) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4520 mm |
| Width | 1855 mm |
| Height | 1695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2690 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1649–1655 kg |
| Boot Space | 450–1380 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £18,910–£25,610 |
| Insurance Groups | 19 |
| Road Tax Bands | I–J |
| Official MPG | 37.7–41.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | 4 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until November 2010
| 4 X 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique S dCi 150 4x4 5dr | £24,705 | 38.7 mpg | 10.4 s |
On sale until May 2009
| 4 X 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique dCi 150 4x2 | £18,910 | 41.5 mpg | 10.0 s |
| Dynamique dCi 150 4x4 | £19,910 | 38.7 mpg | 10.4 s |
| Dynamique S dCi 150 4x2 | £20,410 | 41.5 mpg | 10.0 s |
| Privilege dCi 150 4x4 | £24,410 | 38.7 mpg | 10.4 s |
| Privilege dCi 150 4x4 Auto | £24,410 | - | - |
| Privilege dCi 175 4x4 | £25,610 | 37.7 mpg | 9.9 s |
Model History
March 2008
Koleos launched
Similar suspension to X-Trail. Ground clearance of 188mm and approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees. Four wheel drive torque split between front and rear is automatically calculated as a function of available grip. Normally, front drive only. If less grip available, up to 50 per cent of torque is transferred to the rear. Front-rear split is ensured by an electronic coupler and controlled by 'All mode 4x4-i' system developed by Nissan for the New X-Trail.
Hill Start Assist is automatically activated on gradients of more than 10 per cent preventing the vehicle slipping back down the slope and does away with the need for the driver to switch rapidly from brake pedal to accelerator. Hill Descent Control is activated via a button mounted on the central fascia and automatically holds the vehicle's speed at a maximum of 4mph on downhill gradients of 10 per cent or more without requiring the brakes. Works in reverse too. Also be available with two-wheel drive at a £1,000 saving.
Split-opening, 'clamshell'-type tailgate. The upper part of the hatch permits access to the boot in cramped spaces and allows items of more than one metre width to be carried. When lowered, the bottom part of the tailgate allows loading of long items and serves as a handy seat for two adults (up to 200kg) when parked. Boot aperture of 1.07m is amongst the widest in its class.
‘Super-fold’ seat system enables the 60/40-split rear seat to be folded simply by the flick of a switch in the boot. Floor becomes entirely flat to further facilitate loading. Boot volume of 450 litres extends to 1,380 litres with rear seat has been folded. Back of front passenger seat can also be folded down to form a table or permit the transport of items of up to 2.60m in length.
Two types of Alliance engines in the UK. The latest-generation 2.0 dCi Euro 4 diesel engine (M9R) is available in a choice of two power outputs, 150hp or 175hp. The 2.0 dCi engine is available with a broad, useful rev band, with peak torque of either 320 or 360Nm (depending on version) available from low engine speeds. The dCi 150 can be ordered for either the 4x2 or 4x4 versions and mated with either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. The 175hp version of the 2.0 dCi engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
- Koleos Dynamique dCi 150 2x4 6-spd manual £17,995
- Koleos Dynamique dCi 150 4x4 6-spd manual £18,995
- Koleos Dynamique S dCi 150 2x4 6-spd manual £19,495
- Koleos Dynamique S dCi 150 2x4 6-spd manual £20,495
- Koleos Dynamique S dCi 150 2x4 6-spd automatic £21,495
- Koleos Privilege dCi 150 4x4 6-spd manual £23,495
- Koleos Privilege dCi 150 4x4 6-spd automatic £24,495
- Koleos Privilege dCi 175 4x4 6-spd manual £24,695
May 2009
New specification Koleos Dynamique S available to order. New extra equipment with BOSE® sound system, 3D full colour satellite navigation, Bluetooth and metallic paint. Priced at £22,805.
The Dynamique S 2.0 dCi 150 4x4 already featured equipment such as climate control, Renault hands free key card, electrically heated and folding door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, roof rails and automatic lights and wipers. Additional equipment for 2010 includes a BOSE® sound system that includes a digital amplifier, seven loudspeakers and a sub-woofer, a six-CD/MP3-compatabile multi-changer, 3D Satellite Navigation with a 16/9, seven-inch screen and DVD atlas, hands-free Bluetooth® telephone link and metallic paint.
What to watch out for
Report of warning appearing on dash of 75k mile 2008 Renault Koleos 2.0D to "check exhaust emission", with the engine symbol and spanner symbol lit up and the vehicle had very little power. This followed four high speed runs of more then 50 miles. Likely to be the DPOF finally filling up with ash, which impedes its ability ro regenerate soot.
01-11-2018:Report of 2010 Renault Koleos 2.0DCI completely dead. No warning lights or problems running, just didn’t start one day. Battery replaced 6 months ago and is fine. Car is at Renault dealer who says he is getting no reading at all from car computers so doesn't know what’s wrong with it. They have spent 17 hours on car, told to replace UHC/BCM but this may not fix problem.
02-09-2019:Report of severe rust in 68,000 mile 2008/58 Renault Koleos. It has had a new sub frame and the window surrounds have been treated twice. It now has a badly rusted rear suspension which causes the rear end to 'waggle' if it hits a rut.
