Renault Koleos review

Overview

The second-generation Koleos was Renault's larger five-seat SUV, and Initiale Paris was the plush UK version added in early 2018. This review concerns the original-shape 2018 Initiale Paris, with the 2.0 dCi 175, X-Tronic automatic and four-wheel drive. It is not the earlier Koleos or the later Blue dCi revision. That distinction matters when you compare fuel figures, equipment and running costs. This is RoadMatch buying analysis from Renault's UK literature and independent British reviews, not a first-hand road test. Buy it for room, a comfortable driving position and the equipment rather than for the driving involvement of a smaller SUV or the flexibility of seven seats.

Exterior and interior

The broad front and swept rear glass make it feel more like a large family car than a work vehicle. Initiale Paris adds its own 19-inch wheels and Nappa leather specification, so inspect the wheels for distortion and the driver's seat bolsters for wear. Seat condition matters more than whether it has the two-tone or alternate leather option. The tall central display means some common controls do not sit where you might expect them. Sit in the car long enough to try ventilation, seat adjustment and screen shortcuts while stationary. On a used example, inspect the panoramic roof and the headlining for staining; check the blind and the glass operation separately.

Practicality

The Koleos makes a stronger case for carrying four adults regularly than for trying to add a sixth or seventh seat. Renault's 2018 UK brochure gives 579 litres above the boot floor with the rear bench up and 1,795 litres with it folded. Those are Renault's figures, not interchangeable with a rival's differently measured capacity. Check the height of the sill if you lift a heavy dog or bulky equipment in and out. Try the powered tailgate in a garage with the clearance you have at home. If you need three child restraints, the shape of the bench and the specific approved mounting points matter more than the overall width on a spec sheet.

Driving experience

The better use of the Koleos is settling into a long drive than finding an excuse for the winding route. The Auto Express Initiale Paris test is useful context for the combination of a comfortable cabin and an automatic that does not invite hurried driving. Under more throttle, the CVT can hold engine speed rather than feeling like a conventional stepped gearbox. That behaviour is different from a repeatable judder, delayed selection or a warning, which need diagnosis. Try both tight parking and an open road with some broken surfaces. Four-wheel drive may be useful in poor traction, but it does not compensate for worn tyres or turn this into a dedicated off-roader.

Performance

Renault's UK technical table gives 1,995 cc, 128 kW and 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm. We convert the listed 128 kW to approximately 172 mechanical bhp; the dCi 175 badge and Renault's separately printed DIN figure use different conventions and are not our conversion. The manufacturer's 0–62 mph time is 9.5 seconds for the 4WD automatic. It is not the 10.7-second manual specification. The appeal is the diesel's flexibility under ordinary load, not the acceleration time. On test, drive uphill or join faster traffic safely, checking that the response is progressive once warm. Persistent surging or trouble pulling away should be investigated rather than accepted as a CVT characteristic.

Fuel economy

The UK Initiale Paris brochure shows 47.9 imperial mpg combined on the period NEDC basis, with 156 g/km CO₂. The brochure's matched specification is more useful than mixing in a front-drive, manual or later Blue dCi figure. RoadMatch uses an illustrative 38 mpg for budgeting, not a claim about measured owner consumption. At 9,000 miles and £1.55 a litre, dropping from 38 to 32 mpg adds roughly £310 in a year. Short, cold trips are a particularly poor reason to choose this diesel. Check the actual registration before entering any clean-air zone; Renault's period emissions label is not a substitute for the relevant local checker.

Reliability

History should come before equipment. Ask what the car was used for and get itemised evidence of scheduled maintenance. Look for clean transmission engagement in both directions and compare the drive from cold with the drive after it is warmed up. Take unexplained warning lights or previous emissions work to a Renault-capable specialist for investigation; a cleared warning is not proof the fault is resolved. On a four-wheel-drive car, check all four tyres for compatible dimensions and wear, and have a specialist inspect for drivetrain leaks or noise. An electrical walk-through matters too: a failing seat, roof or tailgate can eat into the saving versus a simpler trim. Our reliability view is cautious, not a failure-rate estimate.

Safety

Euro NCAP published its Koleos assessment in 2017 using a left-hand-drive 1.6 dCi, rather than this UK 2.0-litre automatic. The assessment is historical and expired in January 2024; we do not present it as a current test of the reviewed car. Renault's UK 2018 brochure lists active emergency braking, lane departure warning and rear outer ISOFIX mountings. Confirm the actual equipment and warning-light behaviour and use the handbook for any restraint installation. Check the number plate with GOV.UK and ask Renault about VIN-specific actions. Sensors and four-wheel drive are not evidence of previous accident repairs being sound; have unexplained repairs inspected independently.

Technology and features

The 2018 Initiale Paris specification includes the portrait R-LINK 2 unit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ordinary cruise control, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Check phone connection with your own cable and phone; a map screen or a Bluetooth connection does not prove projection is working. The camera and parking assistance should be tested separately, and any sudden blank screen or recurring audio glitch merits a check. Try the front-seat heating and ventilation on both sides. Do not assume the cruise control follows the speed of traffic ahead; that is not the factory function we count for this variant.

Running costs

Our £8,500–£14,500 purchase range is a November 2026 editorial planning estimate, not a set of current asking prices. At 9,000 miles, 38 mpg and diesel at £1.55 per litre, annual fuel is about £1,670. An illustrative £230 tax allowance and £750–£1,450 for servicing, MOT and ordinary wear suggest roughly £2,650–£3,350 before insurance, depreciation, finance or major faults. Check the actual tax and quote insurance by registration. Price the fitted size of premium tyres before committing and budget a separate reserve for drivetrain or emissions repairs. A lower asking price is of little value if it comes with an unexplained transmission symptom or four tyres already needing replacement.

Advantages and disadvantages