Renault Koleos Zen FWD 2016 review | road test video

Andrew Chesterton road tests and reviews the Renault Koleos Zen with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read Andrew's full review here: carsgui.de/2cAyzax
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The new Renault Koleos is designed to carry more than just people. It's also supposed to carry Renault out of the niche-car marketplace and onto the shopping lists of those who might otherwise be considering a more mainstream brand.
And not just in Australia, but around the globe -where SUVs just like this one make up one in every five new-car purchases. If Renault is to become a top-10 player in Australia, it'll be off the back of the Koleos, and specifically this Koleos, the mid-spec Zen model, which Renault expects to be the volume seller.
Jeez. That's a lot of pressure. So does the Koleos live up to its maker's expectations?
This new Koleos has been eight years in the making, with the last all-new vehicle arriving way back in 2008. This one is a product of Renault's alliance with Nissan, and so the Koleos shares some crucial components, including its platform, with the Japanese brand's XTrail. But if you're expecting something dowdy, worry not, there's still plenty of French Flair in the Koleos's DNA.
The front-wheel-drive Zen we've tested here sits above the price-led Life, and below the top-spec Intens. It's also available as four-wheel drive, which will set you back a further $2,500.
Inside, the Zen gets a seven-inch touchscreen that sits above this active section of the dash, controlling everything from the air-con to the navigation. As expected, style rules, so if you're not happy with the colour scheme, you can change it any time you like.
You're surrounded by this artificial leather - except the steering wheel, which gets the real stuff. But it doesn't feel cheap, and the seats are still nice to the touch.
Opting for the Zen over the entry-level Life also gets you heated seats in the front, as well as push-button start and proximity unlocking that works off the weirdly cool Renault credit card-sized key. You also get automatic wipers and headlights, along with dual-zone climate control.
There's a feeling of refinement in the cabin, too. Like some serious thought has gone into it. Everything feels sleek and stylish and solid.
It looks good, too. The Koleos Zen rides on 18-inch alloys, and all trim levels get LED Daytime Running Lights at the front. The gigantic Renault badge is undoudetly polarising, but I've got to say, I quite like it. On the safety front, you'll get six airbags as standard, along with hill start assist, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, but it does miss out on things like autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring - both of which arrive as standard on mid-spec models in some of the Renault's key competition.
The new Koleos has grown in just about every dimension, too, so there's plenty of space here in the back seat, with plenty of leg and headroom, and there's two Isofix attachment points. There's also a pair of cupholders in the pull-down divider that separates the rear seats, matching the two for up-front passengers, and there's ample room for bottles in the door sills.
And because it's a dedicated five-seater, even with the rear seat up there's plenty of space in the boot. Fold the rear seat flat -which is easy- and that grows to 1690 litres.
There's only the one engine available across the Koleos range, and it's a 2.5L petrol that produces 126kW and 226Nm, paired with a CVT automatic transmission. It's an appropriate, if not exhilarating powertrain combination, and it's built more for suburban shuttling than bombing along a back road. Keep it in the city, and there's ample power to shift its 1.6-tonne bulk away from the lights.
Seating position and vision are both great, and it's an immensely comfortable cruiser around town. The power delivery is smooth and the CVT transmission is unobtrusive, but it's a little noisy under acceleration. Getting up to city speeds results in this drone from the engine that permeates the cabin. You get used to it, but it's not the quietest of powerplants.
The suspension soaks up most issues with little fuss, and there's a nice weight to the steering which feels really natural as you turn through bends.
The Renault Koleos Zen is an impressive blend of French style and Japanese functionality. Handsome, practical and well-equipped, it's a handy weapon for Renault's assault on the mainstream market in Australia.
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[@marijkegurrvandijk8059]

Loved my Koleos Dynamique and now love my Zen Fwd. although in some ways the Dynamique was more luxurious, did 230.000 kms and still driving like a new car. The Zen drives still the same has other features I love and I am glad I stayed faithful to Renault. Eventhough the majority of Australian mechanics for some reason do not like Renault. . I am a real Aussie frog.

[@robertmckaygray2409]

As far as a round town & suburban vehicle go, it's a real beauty ! If yer driving a zillion miles a day up big hills , it's probably not the car for you. But the spacious interior, both front & back & quality of the features around the Driver's seat is where the ZEN model excels. The Koleos drives very smooth, is easy on the juice & there is little or no engine noise unless you hit a steep hill. All in all & at the $'s on road cost, the Koleos is a great SUV option for those not wanting to spend an arm & leg on an SUV for getting around town. Ool-la-larrrrrrr