First seen at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show, the refreshed Renault Koleos was launched at the 2012 Knysna Speed Festival.
The new 2012 Koleos boasts a redesigned front end with slimmer headlights, a more muscular front bumper with sculpted recesses for the front fog lights, as well as more aerodynamic door mirrors that incorporate LED indicators.
The interior has been updated with new upholstery and trim materials, including high-grade leather as standard, while the dashboard has also undergone improvements with the inclusion of a restyled instrument panel.
The Koleos remains as practical as it ever was, with 70-litres of storage space incorporated into the dashboard and centre console alone. Under-seat and underfloor storage compartments, together with a 450-litre boot (1 380-litres with the rear seats folded down), mean it has plenty of space for growing families.
Standard features include an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), 6x airbags, satellite navigation, the Renault hands-free card, automatic electronic parking brake, front and rear parking sensors, electric adjustable driver seat, as well as cruise control, to name a few.
The Renault Koleos retains the 2.5-litre, 16-valve, petrol engine found in the previous generation, which is now the only powerplant available in the range. This engine produces maximum power of 126 kW together with 226 Nm of torque at 4 400 r/min. The engine is matched to a choice of three drivetrain configurations: 4×2 6-speed manual, 4×4 6-speed manual and 4×4 CVT. Average fuel consumption quoted as 9.6 L/100km for the 4×2 manual and 4×4 CVT variants, while the 4×4 manual requires 9.9 L/100km on average.
While far from being a dedicated off-roader, the Koleos does offer good ground clearance of 206 mm, together with approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees respectively. The 4×4 model is equipped with three driver-selected modes: Auto, 4×4 lock or 2WD. All 4X4 derivatives also come standard with Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
| Pricing | |
| Renault Koleos Dynamique 4×2 M/T | R289 900 |
| Renault Koleos Dynamique 4×4 M/T | R314 900 |
| Renault Koleos Dynamique 4×4 CVT | R339 900 |
Prices include a 5-year/100 000 km service plan and 5-year/150 000 km warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance.
