Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: No data available
Fine interior quality, spacious cabin, good refinement, cosseting ride.
Unconventional looks, uncompetitive emissions, poor throttle response.
Koleos' bizarre looks overshadow what is a capable off-roader.
Normally, when a carmaker dabbles in a new niche or segment the results are more often than not half-baked.
The cynic then would be very suspicious of a new 4x4 made by a French manufacturer who, until now, has had little interest in SUVs.
Citroen and Peugeot were clever. They recognised they had lack of experience and leapfrogged the traditional slow bit of the learning curve by rebadging the talented Mitsubishi Outlander.
Renault on the other hand has taken an equally innovative approach to ensure when that its all-new Koleos is not a dud.
The French car maker phoned a friend - Nissan.
In simple terms, think of the new Koleos as a reclothed Nissan X-Trail.
Renault did the design work, Nissan developed it and, curiously, a factory in Korea builds it.
Under the skin the Koleos is pure X-Trail, boasting the same clever 'all mode 4x4i' hardware that we praised in the Nissan.
Renault offers just two engines, a 173bhp and 148bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbo diesel - both found under the X-Trail's bonnet.
Unlike the Nissan there will not be a petrol alternative and the French firm will offer a two-wheel-drive-only version.
Renault has priced the Koleos aggressively and claim the Dynamique S undercuts close rival the Ford Kuga by at least £1,500.
Prices start at £17,995 for the 148bhp 2.0 dCi Dynamique 4x2 and stretch to £24,695 for the range-topping 173bhp 2.0 dCi Privilege 4x4.
Notice, we have left the Koleos quirky looks till last.
Originally designed for the Korean market and sold as a Renault Samsung QM5, the European version has had a Scenic grille grafted onto its nose. Renault claims it has spliced a hatchback (Megane), 4x4 (X-Trail) and compact MPV (Scenic) all together to make the Koleos. We think it looks clumsy and a little confused, but is this enough to stop the Koleos being our new favourite 4x4?
