This SUV might be late in its arrival in Renault showrooms around Malaysia as it was first introduced to the world some 2 years ago. This delay only means allowing time for other SUV manufacturers to benefit from their SUV sales until now. This is a SUV designed and built from scratch to be a SUV. Not like many other manufacturers where they take an existing car platform and bolt on a 4×4 drivetrain and add a hatch or wagon rear and flog it off to ignorant consumers making them think that they have bought an actual off road vehicle capable of tackling the green surrounding our cities with ease. With the Kaleos you get a real purpose designed SUV.
The ‘marriage’ between Nissan and Renault promises a collaboration of parts, engines and materials to reduce overall costs and increase value to buyers. Exterior looks needs to be absorbed in time as it not the prettiest of designs and has elements of Nissan JUKE (on its nose and rear end).
Renault has improved its build quality in leaps and it shows more in this SUV than previous offerings. Step inside and buyers can see that the manufacturer has made a good solid interior with a mix of high quality plastics and fabric working to provide a durable cabin. The premium BOSE sound system was superb and the cabin insulation enhanced the sound experience even further. Let your fingers run across the cabin buttons and rotary knobs and a sense of high quality can be felt. For the 1st time in Malaysia, Renault (TC Eurokars) is providing a on board console GPS system which kicks at the immediate competition who do not have one installed.
Under the bonnet of the Renault Koleos is a similar 2.5-liter engine found in the latest X-Trail mated to a CVT gearbox. The driver will be pleased as the Koleos has plenty of power for safe overtaking with a 0-100km/h time in 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 188km/h.
Standard features are hill decent control and 4×4 activation at a touch of the button on the center console. This allows the driver to take on the dusun run and allow easy access to kampung gravel tracks and even some rough mud trails. Koleos is the tenth Renault model to obtain the maximum five-star score in adult protection. Koleos is one of only four models out of 17 tested in the small off-road 4×4 category to achieve the maximum five-star EuroNCAP rating. Safety is a fundamental feature of all Renault vehicles. Renault Koleos was developed to have outstanding levels of both active and passive safety.
RENAULT KOLEOS Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Petrol Displacement: 2488cc Max power: 168bhp @ 6000rpm Max torque: 226Nm @ 4400rpm
0-100km/h: 9.3secs
Top Speed: 185 km/h Transmission: CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Price: RM213,149.19
IMMEDIATE RIVAL – BMW X1 Specifications
BMW X1 Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Diesel Displacement: 1995cc Max power: 150bhp @ 6400rpm
Max torque: 200Nm @ 3600rpm
0-100km/h: 9.7secs
Top Speed: 202 km/h Transmission: 6-Speed
Price: RM299,800.00
