Renault Koleos 2.0 Privilege dCi 150 4X4 - page 2

29-10-2008 11:17

The Koleos is more flexible than my credit cars thanks to the Super Fold seat system whereby simply pulling on one of the levers, accessible from the boot or the rear seats and the seats fold away in thirds or completely to give a maximum loading space. For the children, they can relax as the two outer backrests of the rear bench seat can be reclined individually and with the built in sun blinds, will not suffer from sun exposure.

Driviewise and Koleos again will not let you down. My test car had the optional switch to either go completely 4X4 in AUTO mode, 2WD if on dry roads or the motorway or LOCK for serious off roading. Hill Start Assist kicks in on inclines greater than 10% to stop any backward movement and allows you to move off without using the handbrake. Equally Hill Descent Control will keep the Koleos on track without slipping. The sat nav will hopefully keep you on the correct roads while listening to your favourite tunes with excellent acoustics from the BOSE sound system.

The 2.0 litre diesel engine is pretty quick off the mark taking 10.4 seconds to reach 62mph and claims a top speed of 115 mph. Mated to a six speed manual transmission with lovely easy and precise gear changes makes this Koleos not just easy to drive but extremely comfortable. With the power steering, manoeuvring into the petrol stations will cause no problem. Not that you will have to much for fuel consumption is a healthy 38.2-mpg on a combined cycle, CO2 emissions stand in at 197g/km thus falls into VED band F.

Being a Renault, the Koleos is a very safe place to be in thanks to driver, passenger airbags plus two lateral ones and two side curtain airbags. The driver’s seatbelt is fitted with a dual pretensioners, the passenger has pretensioners with load limiters while the rear occupants have load limiters. The two rear outer seats have ISOFIX mountings. Ensuring none of these systems are needed is ESP, Brake Assist plus ABS with EBD.

Securing the Koleos is Renaults R.A.I.D – Anti Intruder Device, central locking, keyless car entry and a Thatcham category 2 alarm thus comes into insurance group 11E. I have to say this nee Koleos is one of the best cars I have driven this year. Good performance, a comfortable ride and handling but best of all has to be the practicality of this car sure to appease all families.

Finally families can travel in a cool Koleos car without breaking the bank.