Renault Koleos review

refined. Base models are powered by the same 128bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel that features in several other cars across the range. Mated to a six-speed manual, this drives only the front wheels and the gear shift is positive and solid in feel.

With 236lb ft of torque, it has enough low-down grunt to pick up speed quicker than the official 11.4sec run to 62mph would suggest. Refinement is acceptable rather than outstanding, though at a cruise there is little in the way of noise from the engine.

The steering is direct for a car of this size, and despite its height, the Koleos doesn’t tend to roll around when you tentatively point it in the direction of a few interesting bends. And yet it’s not overly firm, either; in fact, it’s quite good at soaking up the bumps.

Go for the 174bhp 2.0-litre engine and you get all-wheel drive by default. It costs an additional £1,500 to have the seven-speed automatic transmission. And that's money well spent, as it suits the 2.0-litre engine and better exploits the 280lb ft of torque that is available from 2,000rpm.

With a 9.5sec 0-62mph time, it still isn’t all that fast, which we reckon is partially down to an automatic transmission that has been tuned more for economy and refinement than outright pace. Still, that seems to fit with the relaxed demeanour in general.