Comments on: 2008 Renault Koleos First Steer

By: norbert.jahn

norbert.jahn — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:47:15 +0000

I have a 2001 Scenic RX4 and a common problem is the gearbox’s fifth and reverse failing. I have spoken to mechanics in Western Australia, the ACT, Vic and NSW. And everybody in the industry knows about this problem. (parts are astronomical as well).

This is a car that is cheap and you will get what you pay for. What happens when you need parts? They will probably be very expensive and the combination of a poor reputation expensive parts and the Koleos is made in Korea should made people think twice about buying a Renault.

By: Pieman

Pieman — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:22:43 +0000

Just bought one of these. Very confident it will be a good vehicle for the wife and bub during the week and a great weekend getaway drive. Very well mannered on the road and have had experience off road in a friends X-trail so I can’t forsee any drama there for the light duties that will be expected of it. Not sure who is trying to be Fangio or Malcolm Douglas in this class of vehicle??

My oldies have the CX-7 with the turbo, great drive but thirsty as heck and I wouldn’t give it’s offroad capability much credit. Tiguan was more $$ and boot space was laughable…space saver spare on a 40k plus vehicle…WTH? ix35 was a contender but interior and equipment let it down – 2.0 diesel is a rip-snorter if a little noisy! Kuga may have got a look but too far away to contend. Test drives of these vehicles put the Koleos ahead in all of our young family categories, your needs may bne different of course.

Vive le difference!

By: rob

rob — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:03:48 +0000

have one and had it in the garage 4 times already has reoccuring emmisions problem renault say should be driven on motorway often to clear i thought a 4 wheel drive car was desighed for country side which is where i live so avoid in you live in city or country but buy if you live next to motorway

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:39:37 +0000

interesting that the reviews for the Koleos here appear to fall into two groups – from those that have driven it and made an informed opinion, and those from people who haven’t and still feel qualified to make a comment anyway.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:58:58 +0000

Everyone who says Renault is new to the compact SUV market is wrong. I had a 2002 Renault Scenic RX4 which had a 4×4 system similar to that employed by Honda CRV etc. It had a 2L petrol, and i regularly achieved 10.0L/100km in the city (Sydney traffic) and 7′s on the highway. It was powerful enough (did several trips to Perisher/Thredbo [and in the snow]. Never had a problem. Only thing missing was cruise control.It didn’t sell in big numbers because it didn’t have an Auto, and we know how the housewives love their autos. Also to Reckless1, he seems to have a problem with french cars – he has commented on other car reviews. You stick to your “common” cars buddy – we wouldn’t want you lowering the general level of intelligence of french (make that European) car drivers.

By: QuietMan

QuietMan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:11:30 +0000

I test drove this car on the weekend and I thought it was great… After having 3 years of MAJOR problems with my VW, this is the next best thing if you’re looking for “Euro” quality (in my opinion). I like the power, I like the interior, although black leather option would be useful) but the alternatives in the price bracket aren’t as value packed or aesthetically pleasing as the Koleos(think Rav 4, X trail, Tuscon etc) Sit inside this car for 10 seconds and you can see it leaves the other for dead on quality and safety. Must say though, where are the built in GPS’s for all the cars in this segment! I hear a whisper ahout a T top 2 seat version in the works?

By: observer

observer — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:41:01 +0000

You will also find that Tiguans are difficult to source. The long options list offered only compounds this problem as the chances of finding the right car reduces as you tick the options box. Also they are very expensive. I checked one out a few months age and was quted 53K on the road with a few options…I ended up buying a Subaru Forester XS Premium great list of standard inclusions, strong resale value and mechanical reliability, larger dealer network (As we do country trips) and a full size spare. We also saved 13k.

By: DriveSUV

DriveSUV — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:47:31 +0000

To me it looks really lame on part of Renault to NOT include a ‘Privilege’ model for Diesel Koleos (the only good thing going for Koleos). The ‘Privilege’ model is only for the petrol engined Koleos. And the Petrol engine is lame too.

I called up the dealer in NSW and he reluctantly, said that he didn’t have one. Its a real shame… Hmm! There are no option packs either that would spec up the Diesel Koleos. Guess it will be Diesel VW Tiguan for me, at least they have a good options list to pick and choose.

By: eh179driver

eh179driver — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:53:18 +0000

I am in Europe on business at the moment and stopped in at a dealer to check one of these things out. It’s a big outlet in Germany with dealerships all of the Continent. They say that the Koleus has been a slow mover since it’s release. Over here the big movers in this class are the Tiguan, CRV, Xtrail and now the Ford Kuga. Had a drive of the Kuga and the Koleus. The Kuga wins hands down and is even better than the Tiguan. The Kuga is a bit more of a drivers car.
The Koleus does nothing special, it’s handeling is a bit soft and wooly. The upholstry marks easily (as confirmed by the dealers show room cars (I thought brown interiors went out with VP Commodores). In profile it looks a bit like a Lexus RX330/350 a car that is a bit long in the tooth now and is set to be replaced. Nuff said!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:59:57 +0000

I have an xtrail with cvt and i can tell you it is a great thing to drive ,smoothe as to drive, if this gearbox was hunting then there is something wrong with it , me thinks this was an armchair review and reviewer doesnt know what he is talking about.
Enough said