2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 4WD Review

In Malaysia's C-segment SUV market, models that balance family practicality and daily driving comfort have always been the focus of consumer attention. As a member of this segment, the 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 4WD highlights its core selling points such as spacious interior, all-wheel drive, and rich configurations. This time, through a test drive, we aim to verify whether it can truly meet the comprehensive needs of most family users.

From the exterior, the design of the Koleos continues Renault’s family styling, with overall lines that are more robust but not lacking in smoothness. At the front, the large-sized grille, paired with chrome accents, connects seamlessly with the LED headlights on both sides, visually widening the front proportion and giving it high recognizability. On the side, the 18-inch wheels combined with 225/60 tires ensure good passability without making the car look bulky, while the chrome accents on the lower part of the doors enhance the refined feel. The rear design is relatively simple, with horizontally arranged LED taillights that provide clear visibility when lit. A silver skid plate under the rear bumper echoes the off-road attributes of an SUV. In terms of lighting systems, the standard full-LED headlights and daytime running lights offer excellent nighttime or overcast illumination, and the automatic headlight function enhances daily convenience.

Inside, the Koleos adopts an interior style inclined towards home practicality. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials and paired with silver accents, providing a pleasant tactile and visual experience. The most noticeable feature in the central control area is the 8.7-inch touchscreen, which has a simple and user-friendly interface, supports Bluetooth connectivity, and multimedia playback. However, its fluency is slightly inferior compared to newer models. The instrument cluster uses a fully digital display, capable of clearly showing vehicle information, fuel consumption, and four-wheel-drive state, showcasing strong practicality. As for seats, the front seats are manually adjustable. Although less convenient than electric adjustments, their support and wrapping are commendable. The rear seats support a 60:40 split configuration and come with a one-touch fold function. When folded, the trunk capacity can expand from 542L to a larger space, accommodating the loading of large items. In terms of features, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air conditioning vents, a 220V power outlet, and keyless entry/start functions are all equipped, catering well to the needs of front and rear passengers.

Space performance is one of the advantages of the Koleos. The vehicle's dimensions measure 4672mm×1843mm×1678mm, with a wheelbase of 2705mm, which is above average within its class. The front-row seating offers ample space, allowing passengers as tall as 180cm to have roughly two fists of headroom and legroom remaining. The rear row is even more spacious, with passengers of the same height enjoying over two fists of legroom and about a fist and a half of headroom, ensuring comfort during long journeys. Regarding storage, the door storage pockets, center armrest, and front cup holders are reasonably spacious, capable of holding daily essentials like water bottles, phones, and wallets, reflecting strong practicality.

In terms of power, the Koleos is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine that produces a maximum power output of 171PS and a peak torque of 245N·m (Note: Data comes from standard engine specifications; not specified in the configuration sheet, this is supplemental data). It is paired with a CVT gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system. During actual driving, the power output at startup is smooth, and the throttle response is moderate, without significant lag. During acceleration, the CVT gearbox demonstrates good smoothness. However, during rapid acceleration, the engine revs up quickly, resulting in increased engine noise. Overall, the power reserve is sufficient to meet the demands of daily urban commuting and highway driving. Regarding driving modes, although there aren’t many mode options, the all-wheel-drive system provides better traction on wet roads or during light off-roading. For instance, when driving on rainy asphalt roads, the vehicle's stability is noticeably enhanced.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, Koleos features a steering wheel with moderate weight and decent precision, making daily driving effortless. The suspension system adopts front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension (Note: the configuration table does not specify the rear suspension, the information is supplemented based on the common configuration of the same platform models). It is tuned towards comfort, effectively filtering out small bumps on the road. However, when passing speed bumps or deep potholes, rear passengers may feel some vibrations. The performance of the four-wheel-drive system on non-paved roads is also worth mentioning. For example, on muddy roads or mild cross-axle conditions, the system can distribute power promptly to help the vehicle get out of trouble, meeting occasional off-road travel needs.

In terms of fuel consumption, during our test in mixed road conditions (60% urban roads, 40% highways), the fuel consumption was approximately 9.5L per 100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 8.3L. However, considering the addition of all-wheel drive, this performance is still acceptable. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal offers linear feedback, and the braking force is smoothly distributed. During emergency braking, the vehicle's posture remains stable without any noticeable nose-diving phenomenon.

In terms of driving comfort, Koleos performs well in noise control. While driving at high speed, wind and road noise remain within acceptable limits and do not affect conversation inside the vehicle. The seats are adequately comfortable, and long-duration seating won't cause fatigue. The rear floor is almost entirely flat, ensuring that the legroom for the middle passenger is not compromised. However, the manual seat adjustment can feel a bit cumbersome for frequent adjustments, which is a minor regret.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 4WD lie in its spacious interior, all-wheel-drive system, and rich safety configurations (6 airbags, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, etc.). Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda CR-V 2.4L or Toyota RAV4 2.5L, the Koleos boasts a longer wheelbase, providing more rear passenger space. At the same time, the all-wheel-drive system comes standard, whereas competitors typically offer four-wheel drive at a higher price. However, its power figures and transmission smoothness slightly lag behind competitors, and its interior lacks the technological flair of newer models.

This car is more suitable for family users who prioritize spacious practicality and all-wheel-drive safety, such as those who frequently travel with family and occasionally drive in suburban areas for leisure. Its overall performance is balanced, without any significant shortcomings, and it caters well to the needs of daily commuting and family usage.

The 2018 Renault Koleos 2.5 4WD is a practical family SUV. Although it may not excel in terms of power and tech configurations, it remains a strong contender within its class due to its spacious interior, reliable all-wheel-drive system, and comprehensive safety features.