Renault Koleos review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

Step inside the Koleos and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels solid and well-appointed. Renault has worked hard to give it a premium feel, and for the most part, they’ve succeeded. The dashboard is dominated by a large portrait-style touchscreen (on most models) that controls everything from your music to the climate control. It looks modern and generally works well, although like any touchscreen, it can take a bit of getting used to while driving.

Smartphone fans will be pleased to know that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are generally available, making it easy to hook up your phone and access your favourite apps. While some plastics lower down in the cabin might feel a little durable rather than luxurious, the main touchpoints feel high-quality and robust.

Comfort

This is where the Koleos really plays its ace card. Because it doesn't have to squeeze in a third row of seats, there is acres of room for everyone. The front seats are wide and supportive – perfect for long motorway stints.

In the back, your passengers will be treated to genuinely impressive legroom. Even tall adults can sit behind tall drivers without feeling cramped. The suspension is tuned for comfort, meaning it does a great job of soaking up bumps and potholes, making for a serene ride. It’s a quiet car, too, with very little wind or road noise disturbing the peace.

Quality

The interior of the Koleos feels like it’s built to last. The switches and buttons have a reassuring weight to them, and the materials used on the dashboard and doors are soft to the touch. It feels like a step up from some of Renault’s smaller cars and competes well with rivals like the Nissan X-Trail or Skoda Kodiaq. It manages to strike a nice balance between feeling plush enough for a night out but tough enough to handle muddy boots and sticky fingers.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

We’ve mentioned the legroom, but it’s worth repeating: the Koleos is incredibly spacious for passengers. The lack of a third row means Renault didn't have to compromise on second-row space. There’s plenty of headroom, too, and the cabin feels wide and airy. You’ll find plenty of storage cubbies for phones, drinks, and keys, including a useful centre console bin.

Boot space

Because the Koleos prioritises passenger space, the boot is good rather than class-leading, but it’s still very practical. You get 579 litres of space with the rear seats up, which is more than enough for a big weekly shop, a buggy, or holiday luggage.

If you need to carry bigger loads, the rear seats fold flat to open up a cavernous 1,795 litres of space. The boot floor is flat, which makes sliding heavy items in and out much easier. While it misses out on the sheer versatility of a seven-seater, for most families, it’s more than big enough.

Versatility

The Koleos is a great all-rounder for family life. It’s big enough to handle bulky loads from the garden centre but easy enough to drive that it doesn't feel intimidating in a supermarket car park. If you need to tow, the potent diesel engines make it a capable tow car for caravans or trailers.

Driving

Driving experience

The Koleos isn't designed to be thrown around corners like a hatchback. Instead, it encourages a relaxed, easy-going driving style. The steering is light, which makes manoeuvring this big car surprisingly easy around town. On the motorway, it feels stable, planted, and secure, inspiring confidence even in bad weather.

While it might lean a little bit in tight corners, it never feels unsafe. It’s an honest SUV that prioritises comfort over sporty handling, and we think that’s the right approach for a family car. It’s about getting you to your destination feeling fresh, not setting lap times.

Performance

Under the bonnet, the Koleos keeps things simple with a choice of diesel engines. There’s a 1.7-litre engine (with around 148bhp) which drives the front wheels, and a punchier 2.0-litre engine (around 187bhp) that comes with four-wheel drive.

Both engines offer plenty of pulling power (torque), which makes overtaking or joining motorways stress-free. We’d love to have seen a petrol or hybrid option for those doing shorter journeys, but if you cover higher miles or need to tow, these diesel units are strong performers. The automatic gearbox (X-Tronic) is smooth and unobtrusive, suiting the car’s relaxed nature perfectly.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

Given the size of the car, the Koleos is reasonably efficient. The smaller 1.7-litre diesel engine is the frugality champion of the range, capable of returning around 46mpg. The larger 2.0-litre engine with four-wheel drive is naturally a little thirstier, managing around 40-41mpg, which is still decent for a large 4x4.

However, because there are no hybrid or electric options, tax bills might be slightly higher than some greener rivals. It’s worth doing the maths if you’re a company car driver or live in an area with strict emissions charges.

Value for money

This is where the Koleos makes a lot of sense. When new, it was priced competitively against rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq and SEAT Tarraco. On the used market, it represents excellent value. Because Renaults tend to depreciate a bit faster than some premium brands, you can pick up a lot of car for your money. You get a stylish, spacious, and well-equipped SUV for a price that might surprise you.

Reliability & Warranty

The Koleos shares a lot of its parts with the Nissan X-Trail, a car known for being generally tough and reliable. While Renault has had ups and downs in the past, their newer models feel robust. From new, the Koleos came with a generous five-year warranty (up to 100,000 miles), meaning many used examples will still have plenty of manufacturer cover left, giving you real peace of mind.

Safety

Safety features

You’re in safe hands with the Koleos. It was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating when crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP. It comes packed with safety kit as standard, including autonomous emergency braking (which can brake for you if it senses a collision), lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.

Higher trim levels add even more clever tech, like blind-spot warning to help you change lanes safely on the motorway. It’s a reassuringly safe place to put your family.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

Renault kept things simple with the Koleos trim levels, usually offering just two main choices:

• Iconic: Don’t let the 'entry-level' tag fool you; this trim is very well equipped. It comes with essentials like cruise control, a rear parking camera, dual-zone climate control, and smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto). It also features lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.
• GT Line: This is the sporty-looking one. It adds larger alloy wheels, full LED headlights, and powered leather seats (often heated) for that extra touch of luxury. You also get a larger portrait touchscreen and an electric tailgate on many models.

Engines

The engine line-up is straightforward, exclusively featuring diesel power:

• Blue dCi 150: A 1.7-litre diesel engine producing roughly 148bhp. It drives the front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox. It’s the efficiency choice and offers plenty of power for everyday driving.
• Blue dCi 190: A 2.0-litre diesel engine producing around 187bhp. This comes with four-wheel drive as standard and the same CVT automatic gearbox. It’s the one to go for if you need extra grip for bad weather, muddy tracks, or towing.

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