2019 Renault Koleos SUV Review
Published Date: 24th Sep 2019
The Renault Koleos is a full-sized SUV competing with vehicles like the Skoda Kodiaq and Mazda CX-5.
The latest 2019 updates and improvements to the Koleos bring enhanced exterior looks, a classier interior and excellent standard levels of equipment, including a long list of driver aids and safety tech.
Highlights:
Koleos interior boasts improved levels of quality with more soft touch finishes and satin inserts
New engines deliver improved performance and lower running costs with new CVT automatic transmission
Two trim levels, the Iconic and GT Line offer excellent levels of standard equipment
Exterior Looks
The 2019 model has been given various exterior tweaks that are evolution rather than revolution. A stronger look head-on is the result of a bolder new front grille design, chrome detail, a reshaped bumper and bigger skid plate.
The rear of the vehicle gets similar treatment with a new bumper, chrome trim and bigger skid plate. There are also new striking two-tone alloy wheels, ‘Pure Vision’ LED headlights and a new paint colour ‘Red Vantage’.
The varios exterior tweaks and updates combine to make the Koleos look significantly smarter and more sophisticated than its predecessor.
Interior Improvements
Inside the 2019 Renault Koleos has taken a big leap forward. Materials and build quality are improved with more soft touch finishes and dashes of metallic-satin inserts/trim. Its spacious too, Renault have resisted the temptation to try to squeeze a third row of seats in, meaning plenty of head and leg room for everyone, its up there with best in class for cabin space
Opt for the top-grade Koleos GT Line model and things are impressive with full leather interior and the larger 8.5-inch touchscreen infotainment with portrait orientation, something you'll see in other top SUVs. The portrait view screen is excellent for navigation giving you a much better view of your route ahead.
The GT Line model also offers some additional comforts like heated and electrically adjustable front seats. We're sold on the top-grade Koleos GT Line model, if the additional outlay isn’t a major concern to you the interior tweaks, extras and the portrait infotainment screen are worth it.
New Engines Improve Performance & Efficiency
The engine line-up is a simplified affair with two Blue dCi diesels which represent a big upgrade over the engines they replace offering improved performance and efficiency.
The 1.7 litre diesel is offered with front-wheel drive whilst the more powerful 2.0 litre diesel is offered with Renault’s intelligent all-wheel drive for more demanding driving conditions. The two diesels offer 340 Nm and 380 Nm of torque respectively and both come with the smooth X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission.
Fuel economy is up to 46mpg for the more frugal 1.7 diesel, upgrade to the 2.0 diesel and you can expect anything up to 40mpg, CO2 emissions can be as low 143g/km and 150g/km respectively.
Excellent Levels of Equipment as Standard
The Koleos is no slouch when it comes to equipment and the latest tech. There are just two trim levels, the Iconic model and the top-grade GT Line. There’s no entry-level model in the traditional sense as whichever trim-level you choose it will be loaded with gadgets, driver aids and tech.
Standard on the Koleos Iconic model is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with sat nav, smartphone mirroring, DAB radio, voice recognition and Bluetooth.
Driver aids and safety tech as standard on both models are front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic emergency brake assist, blind spot monitoring and a lane departure warning system.
For convenience and comfort there’s automatic headlights, rain sensing windscreen wipers, keyless entry, front/rear electric windows and automatic dual zone climate control. There are also some additional nice little touches like heated/cooling cup holders and the auto-dimming rear view mirror.
The GT Line models gets the larger 8.5-inch portrait view infotainment screen, its impressive and add some extra goodies too like live traffic. GT Line models also get the addition of a power tailgate, heated and electrically adjusted front seats and leather interior.
Compare full specs and the latest 2019 Renault Koleos delas here.