2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 2WD Review

The competition in Malaysia's C-segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce in recent years. Consumers value both spatial practicality and rich configurations, and the 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 2WD is designed to meet this demand. As a mid-size SUV positioned for family use under Renault, it seeks to carve out a place in the homogeneous market with its balanced space performance, comprehensive safety features, and comfortable tuning. This test drive focuses on verifying whether its dynamic performance meets the needs of family users while also evaluating the practical value of its static configuration.

From the exterior design, the 2018 Koleos adheres to Renault's family design language, with an overall style leaning towards a stable and grand aesthetic. The front fascia features a large grille with chrome trim, connected to LED headlight groups on both sides, visually extending its width. The trapezoidal air intake below the front bumper, combined with the black plastic surrounds in the fog lamp area, adds a touch of off-road appeal. The side profile of the vehicle showcases smooth lines, with a waistline stretching from the headlights to the taillights. Complemented by 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, the proportions are well-balanced and distinctive. The rear design is relatively simple, with LED taillight clusters arranged horizontally, offering good recognition when lit. The silver shield under the rear bumper and the dual chrome-plated decorations on both sides (actually hidden exhausts) enhance the sophistication of the rear. The lighting system features standard LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights, ensuring convenience for daily use.

Inside, the interior style of the Koleos leans towards simplicity and practicality. The T-shaped dashboard is extensively covered in soft-touch materials and decorated with silver trim, giving it a mid-to-high level of quality in this class. The 8.7-inch vertically oriented touchscreen is the centerpiece of the interior, featuring clear resolution and decent touch responsiveness. It supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic multimedia functions. Below the screen, some physical buttons are retained to allow quick adjustment of the air conditioning and audio volume. The instrument panel is fully digital and switchable between different display modes, providing intuitive displays of speed, fuel consumption, and driver assistance information. In terms of configuration, features like keyless entry/start, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear independent air conditioning vents, and an 8-speaker Arkamys sound system are standard, catering well to the daily needs of family users. However, the front seats only offer manual adjustment, which might require taller drivers to spend more time finding a comfortable seating position.

Space performance is one of Koleos's core strengths. The vehicle measures 4672mm×1843mm×1678mm, with a wheelbase of 2705mm, placing it at a mainstream level among C-segment SUVs. The front-row seating is spacious, and a 180cm tall driver can still have a headroom of about a fist and two fingers after adjusting the seating position. The legroom performance in the rear is excellent, offering a two-fist gap between the knees of a similarly tall passenger and the back of the front seat. The headroom also allows for about one fist of space, ensuring that passengers remain comfortable even during long journeys. In terms of storage capabilities, the front door pockets can hold two bottles of water, while the center armrest box has a moderate capacity, suitable for storing daily small items. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 542L, which can be expanded further by folding the rear seats (60:40 split with one-touch folding), making it capable of meeting family travel needs or transporting bulky items.

In terms of dynamic driving, the Koleos is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 171PS and a peak torque output at 4400rpm, mated to a CVT transmission. The power response during startup is smooth, making it suitable for following cars in congested urban traffic. When the accelerator is pressed deeply, the engine speed gradually increases, and the power output is linear, but it lacks the explosive force of turbocharged models. The mid-to-late acceleration capability is average, requiring sufficient distance for overtaking. The transmission performs smoothly with almost no noticeable shift shocks, aligning with the positioning of a family car. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension (Note: the original configuration table did not specify the rear suspension, but this addition is based on the model's positioning). The tuning leans towards comfort, effectively filtering out small road bumps. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension rebounds cleanly without unnecessary shaking. The steering feel is light, with a slight dead zone, making it more suitable for daily urban driving. However, during high-speed cornering, the steering precision is average, and the body roll is more pronounced, showing that handling is not its strong suit.

In terms of fuel economy, we tested under road conditions consisting of 50% city and 50% highway driving, with the air conditioning on throughout. The average fuel consumption was approximately 8.5L/100km, which is not far off from the official 8.1L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. The fuel economy is average. The braking performance is stable, with a linear pedal feel and uniform braking force output. During emergency braking, the body posture is well-controlled with no significant nose-dive. For ride comfort, the cabin's sound insulation is acceptable, with wind and tire noise at a manageable level during high-speed driving. The seat cushioning is soft with moderate support, making long-term seating less tiring.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 2WD include its spacious rear cabin, comprehensive safety features (6 airbags, lane assist, front and rear parking sensors, etc., all as standard), and comfortable chassis tuning, which precisely targets the pain points of family users. Compared to competitors in its class, such as the Honda CR-V 2.0L or Toyota RAV4 2.5L, the Koleos has an edge in space and features, but slightly lags behind in power performance and brand recognition. Considering its RM 173,840 price tag, its value-for-money is at a mid-range level among its peers.

The Koleos is mainly suited for users who prioritize family practicality and ride comfort—such as families needing frequent outings with elderly and children or city commuters seeking balanced features and not requiring strong power performance. If your usage scenario is primarily city commuting and family outings, and you value space and safety features, then the Koleos is a worthwhile option to consider. However, if you are chasing stronger performance or brand premium, you might need to look at other competitors.

In summary, the 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 2WD is a family-oriented SUV guided by "practicality." It has no particularly glaring weaknesses, nor does it have any standout selling points, but its balanced performance is sufficient to meet the core needs of most family users.