Renault refreshes Koleos

RENAULT Australia has revised its Koleos mid-size SUV range, tweaking prices across the board, while boosting standard equipment and realigning variant levels according to customer feedback.

The entry-level two-wheel-drive Koleos Expression gets a $500 jump in price, now starting at $28,490 before on-road costs for the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol manual, or $30,490 for the continuously variable transmission (CVT) equipped model.

However, the price hike is offset by the addition of a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system, reversing camera, roof rails, heated door mirrors, and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, as standard.

Pricing for the mid-tier, automatic-only, front-wheel-drive BOSE version starts at $35,490 for the 2.5-litre petrol and $37,490 for the 2.0-litre diesel, representing a $500 price drop.

Although the pricing has been reduced for the mid-grade Koleos, Renault has added LED daytime running lights and grey perforated leather seats, in addition to the upgrades seen in the Expression.

Renault has deleted its previous top-spec Koleos Privilege, replacing it with a lower-grade – but also cheaper – BOSE Premium variant.

The only Koleos available with four-wheel-drive is the BOSE Premium, priced at $40,490 for the 2.5-litre petrol with a CVT or $42,490 for the 2.0-litre diesel automatic.

The new flagship Koleos also benefits from all the kit of the mid-spec BOSE variant, in addition to an electric panoramic glass sunroof, bi-xenon directional headlights, headlight washers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

However, these additions do come at a cost. Both BOSE and BOSE Premium trims lose the front fog lights (to make room for the daytime running lights), while sunglass storage cubby and anti-pinch passenger windows also go in the bin.

The Cayenne Orange colour is also discontinued across the Koleos range, and instead a new Red Acerola colour will be available for all variants, while BOSE and BOSE Premium trims can be painted a new Metallic Brown or Mineral Beige.

Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said that he expects the updated Koleos to do well in the swelling SUV market.

“It [Koleos] has been continually upgraded through its lifecycle to retain its competitive edge in the hard-fought compact SUV market,” he said.

“Australians continue to show their preference for SUVs and the Koleos continues to be an accomplished, capable and practical vehicle, which will look after its occupants very well.

“During its time on the Australian market the Koleos has proven itself to be exceptionally reliable in service.” Renault has managed to find 268 new homes for its medium SUV so far this year, a 46.4 per cent increase over the 183 units over the same period last year.

Last year, Renault sold a total of 1709 Koleos', placing it well behind market leading Mazda CX-5 (21,571), Toyota RAV4 (18,160), Subaru Forester (13,670), Nissan X-Trail (12,564) and Honda CR-V (9,714).

Renault Koleos pricing*

Expression 2WD 2.5 petrol	$28,490 (+$500)
Expression 2WD 2.5 petrol (a)	$30,490 (+$500)
BOSE 2WD 2.5 petrol (a)	$35,490 (-$500)
BOSE 2WD2.0 diesel (a)	$37,490 (-$500)
BOSE Premium 4WD 2.5 petrol (a)	$40,490
BOSE Premium 4WD 2.0 diesel (a)	$42,490

*Excludes on-road costs.