Koleos gets refreshed for 2023

RENAULT has revealed details of its refreshed MY23 Koleos range, the French brand’s Korean-made medium SUV range increasing in price by between $200 and $2900 depending on variant.

In addition to what Renault Australia says are significant upgrades to Life and Zen variants, the Koleos range also welcomes a new all-wheel drive Zen 4x4 variant.

Koleos pricing now begins at $37,000 plus on-road costs for the entry-grade, front-wheel drive Life – an increase of $2000 over the outgoing model – with mid-tier Zen variants starting from $41,700 + ORC – an increase of $2900.

However, just $200 has been added to the price of a flagship Koleos Intens, now retailling from $45,200 + ORC.

A suite of new features for the entry-level Zen include a height-adjustable front passenger seat, cloth and leatherette combination upholstery, illuminated vanity mirrors, customisable ambient cabin lighting, blind-spot monitoring, front and side parking sensors, auto-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, 18-inch alloys and chrome garnishing on the lower side body mouldings and rear bumper.

Next up is the revised Zen variant – including the newly introduced 4x4 variant – which adds a height-adjustable front passenger seat, black leather upholstery, one-touch easy fold rear seats, an 8.7-inch portrait style touchscreen, customisable ambient cabin lighting, easy park assist, hands-free powered tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED reversing lights, sequential rear indicators, and chrome Koleos-branded door sill plates.

In the Koleos Intens an Arkamys premium 3D audio system replaces the previous Bose package while Sand Grey Nappa leather has been removed from the option list.

The Koleos is no longer offered with front foglights or a wide-view driver’s door mirror.

All 2023 Renault Koleos variants remain powered by a Nissan-derived 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 126kW at 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4400rpm. All variants are paired to a continuously variable transmission with front- and all-wheel drive configurations available depending on trim level.

Renault quotes a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds for two-wheel drive models and 9.8 seconds for those models equipped with all-wheel drive, while combined-cycle fuel consumption numbers are listed at 8.1 litres per 100km and 8.3L/100km respectively.

The Koleos is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which includes roadside assistance and capped-price servicing (totalling $2750 over the term).

Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey described the Koleos as “backbone of the Renault passenger car brand”.

“While our new electrified vehicles are on the horizon for this market, these additions to the Koleos range allow us to continue to provide Australians with safe, stylish, well-equipped and value for money premium SUVs.

“The SUV segment continues to be the most dominant segment and these enhancements to the Koleos range will ensure we remain competitive.”

Mr Sealey said sales figures show Renault was up 37.9 per cent of the same period last year (year-to-date October 31) with the Koleos leading this charge, up 72.7 per cent.

Locally, the Renault Koleos competes in the cut-throat sub-$60K medium SUV segment. Year-to-date figures released by the FCAI show Renault sold 2297 examples of the Koleos to the end of October, well behind segment leaders including the Toyota RAV4 (30,370), Mazda CX-5 (23,476) and Mitsubishi Outlander (15,619).

2023 Renault Koleos pricing*

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.