Renault Koleos Privilège dCi 175 (2008) CAR review

When the Renault Koleos was unveiled at the Geneva motor show the original press information claimed that this was an SUV that 'handles like a hatchback'. But those words have disappeared from the launch pack, where Renault instead cautiously claims it handles 'more like a saloon' than a traditional 4x4. Either way Renault has branded the Koleos a crossover, not one of 'em ol' fangled SUV critters.

The Renault Koleos is a crossover, eh? A word very much in vogue...

Isn't it just. Seems to be something to do with buying public's newly activated environmental conscience. We'll be buggered if we can keep track of exactly what it's supposed to mean, however. Originally attached to sportily performing 4x4s, in the case of the Koleos it apparently refers to the way this car blends hatchback (or should that be saloon?) lines and usability, with compact MPV versatility, and 4x4 capability. That's a lot of 'ilities', but once you have a good look around the car, it does start to make sense.

At 4.52 metres long, and 1.85 metres wide, the Koleos has a suitably small footprint – it's around 30cm shorter than the Ford Mondeo – for a car designed to cope as well with cities as it does with the countryside. Climb onboard, and you'll notice not only a relatively small step up (in fact access front and rear is rather good), but also the wealth of cubby holes and storage bins you'd usually associate with one of Renault's MPVs. There's 70 litres of stowage before you even consider the boot capacity – with highlights including underfloor bins in the back, a sort of tiny removable basket thing in the centre console, and door pockets sensibly shaped to take a 500ml drinks bottle and up to five CDs.

Ok, fine – very handy. But where does the 4x4 bit come in?

Oh, that's easy. The Koleos is based on the same platform as Nissan's latest X-Trail. In fact, although it was conceived and designed by Renault, it was actually developed by Nissan (and it's built by Renault-Samsung in Korea, making it the most integrated Renault-Nissan project yet). This means it also uses the same 'all mode 4x4-i' drivetrain as the X-Trail. The 'i' stands for intelligent, so you get three modes – two-wheel drive, intelligent four-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive lock for the rough stuff.

The intelligent setting reacts so fast – the rear differential is controlled by an electromagnetic clutch – it can counter grip loss even before the ESP system gets a go. On loose surfaces – much of our Moroccan test drive – you can feel it acting to counter slides. But only just, as by the time you've thought about the possibility of that you might, perhaps, maybe, have slightly over-cooked things coming into that last turn, it's already done something about it.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Renault Koleos first drive