| Some people say, jokingly, mixed marriages won't work. Men and women, they claim, will never get along. There's ample evidence to suggest the contrary.
One `mixed' marriage that has produced a remarkable offspring is that of French maker, Renault and Japan's Nissan. Our first thought of any love child was of French flare and Japanese practicality.
After a week's road test in the Renault Koleos – developed alongside the more familiar Nissan X-Trail --- we have one comment: viva la mixed marriages. For Koleos is truly the best of both worlds, the first issue from the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Throwing an X-factor into the mix is Koleos was delivered at Renault's Samsung Motors' Busan plant in Korea...although the design conception clearly took place at Renault's Techno Centre near Paris.
Why clearly?
If you have a glance at X-Trail and then look at Koleos there's little to suggest a family resemblance. One is overtly a pragmatic Japanese wagon, the other a stylised SUV that would attract plenty of Oh la la along the Champs Elysee. The vehicles share similar underpinnings.
The Koleos comes as a 4 x 2 for those who don't require 4WD and also in variants driving all four wheels, should you be a little more adventurous. There's also a choice of engine and transmission combinations including petrol and two diesels and six speed manual and six speed auto as well as a silky CVT.
There are two equipment levels: Dynamique and Privilege.
Our primary test vehicle was the diesel variant hooked up to a six speed manual transmission and offering 4WD as well as Hill Descent Control and auto Hill Start on inclines of more than 10 per cent. This stops the vehicle from rolling back and negates the need for tricky handbrake starts.
The 2.0 litre dCi diesel is an engine sourced from Renault stable and is also found in Laguna auto and Sport Megane. The manual Koleos engine develops 127 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm, while hitched to the auto a 110 kW oil burner is used.
It's an effortless engine, purring easily through the gears in a way that gives the driver a surprise when he looks at the speedometer. Thank goodness for cruise control.
The only criticism we could make is that taking off in first the torque is a little underdone until the turbo kicks in. Embarrassingly, we actually stalled it --- twice, until we got the hang of just upping a revs a fraction to ensure a smooth launch.
With all the 4WD gear it's also a little disappointing that the ground clearance for the diesel is 188 mm, while the petrol variant have a much more off-road friendly, 210 mm.
Having said that the Koleos will eat bush tracks and has a good entry and departure angles, should the tracks deteriorate or feature those annoying water run-offs.
This car loves the tar and handles well, despite being an SUV, that exhibits more body roll than a family sedan. We noted a small amount of understeer on high speed corners, normal for a front wheel drive car.
The Koleos uses the same proven Nissan system for switching between transmission modes. There's a 2WD lock, auto where the car detects slip and moves between 2WD and four wheel drive with a 50/50 split between the front and rear wheels and a third setting that locks in 4WD.
Koleos has a soft, refined ride and the makers have done a great job in reducing NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) from the diesel power plant.
The overall interior feel is of quality finish, practical enhancements including loads of useful storage bins, and switches where they should be.  That's the Nissan DNA.
We felt the illumination in the centre console read-out was not up to scratch and difficult to read in daylight.
The rear seats fold forward with ease, with remote switches at the tailgate, and the backs lay flat to create a large cargo area.
The rear doors are a clam style and with the bottom door open it creates a seat for two ideal for picnics or watching sport, should your local council allow you to park near an oval.
In addition there are lots of clever innovations including fold up tables on the back of the front seats and auto off handbrake.
During our week of primarily urban commuting the Koleos delivered 8.8 litres/100 kms, but Renault claim a combined urban/highway return of 7.9 litres/100 kms.
Verdict: We like it. X-Trail DNA makes this an SUV worthy of consideration.
Price: 4 x 2 from $29,990: 4 x 4 from $36,990. As tested: $39,990. |
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