► New Renault Koleos SUV is here
► Larger SUV available now
► Starting price of £27,500
Full UK prices and specs for the new Renault Koleos have been announced. You can now order the big SUV for UK delivery in the summer, priced from £27,500.
The big Koleos resembles a giant Captur, blending the La Regie’s latest design treatment into a full-size SUV footprint. Renault also states that the Koleos features a host of ‘classic SUV design cues’, including protective mouldings, roof rails and – we’re not quite sure about this ourselves – ‘large-diameter wheels (up to 19 inches)’. How times change…
How big is it?
The five-seat Koleos has a similar footprint to a Land Rover Discovery Sport, so it should be pretty manageable in the UK. Out back you’ll find a 458-litre boot, and the rear seats split and fold to increase the storage space on offer to 1690 litres – should you need to sling a load of camping gear or shopping in the back.
It’s also got 213mm of ground clearance, so it should prove more than capable of dealing with urban detritus with ease…
What’s it like inside?
Renault claims class-leading interior space, lots of cubbyholes and a whole host of other neat touches – including scratch-resistant materials. A lot of thought has been put into the practical details, too; the doors open wide to make it easy to get in and out, while a gesture-operated powered tailgate should make it easier to load up the Koleos.
One other particularly gratifying touch is that the doors are reputedly designed to stop the sills getting dirty, so when you get out you won’t find that annoying strip of dirt on your leg.
The R-LINK 2 media system takes centre stage in the cockpit, serving up a host of media and connectivity functions. Two types will be offered; a 7-in landscape model or a larger, more advanced 8.7-in portrait version. The driver gets a customisable 7-in screen, too, in the instrument cluster – which shows speed, fuel consumption and RPM, among other driving-related readouts.
Two specifications are available: Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav. All Koleos cars come with the 7-inch landscape screen, all-round parking sensors and a rear parking camera, panoramic sunroof and 18-inch alloys. The plusher Signature Nav model has the larger 8.7-inch touchscreen system, full LED headlights, powered tailgate and part leather front heatedseats.
Options include a Bose stereo system, the Climate Pack (that adds all-round heated seats and cooled fronts) and hands-free parking.
Can you get one with more than two driven wheels?
Renault offers the Koleos with ‘All Mode 4×4-i technology’, which offers a variety of drive settings for the driver to choose from.
In the standard ‘2WD’ setting drive is sent only to the front wheels, helping deliver the best economy. If things are a bit slippy, however, you can select a ‘4WD AUTO’ mode, which shuffles torque between the front and rear axles to maximise traction.
For those that have wondered far off the beaten path, there’s a ‘4WD LOCK’ setting which cuts down on slip further by locking the front and rear axles together – but it is only for use on rough, slick terrain.
What engines will it be offered with?
It’s an all-diesel range for the UK market, with just two 4-cyl engine choices. The 1.6-litre dCi 130 can hit up to 57.6mpg, while the punchier 2.0-litre dCi 175 can manage up to 50.4mpg.
The 1.6-litre diesel is available for both trim levels, equipped with a six-speed manual and two-wheel drive. The larger 2.0-litre offering can be had with the manual or a seven-speed auto, with four-wheel drive only.
How much does it cost?
The Koleos range starts at £27,500 for a two-wheel drive 1.6 dCi 130 Dynamique S Nav, and rises to £29,800 without options for the Signature Nav. It’s available to order now, with deliveries coming in the summer.
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