French Finesse

RENAULT KOLEOS 2.5 16V 4X4 CVT

- Micky Baker

Usually when you hear a 4x4 oke talking about a Renault, he’s laughing-off the little Duster, completely oblivious to just how well it performs on hectic trails. This year, however, Renault has added another 4WD model to the fray, in the form of the secondgeneration Koleos.

As you can probably tell, it shares a platform with the Nissan X-Trail, although, in our opinion, it’s a far better-looking package from every angle, and is indeed a huge improvement on the slightly awkward first-generation Koleos. This specific platform is called Common Module Family (CMF) – D, and it optimises manufacturing by having five interchangeable sections, ranging from the chassis to the cockpit. On the outside, though, Renault has added panache with plenty of chrome inserts, soft curves, and artsy 18-inch alloys.

The exterior is brightened up, quite literally, with powerful LED headlamps, and there are LED daytime running lights and taillights as well. Inside, there’s a classy feel to things, especially when it comes to tactile interactions with the satin- finished chrome bits and leather trim. It’s relatively spacious for a mid-sized SUV, with fold- at seats at the back, and a seat-up boot capacity of 464 litres.