2017 Renault Koleos: First Look

Renault is revealing few details at this stage, saying only that the new Koleos will have “the refinement and features associated with large sedans”.

The Koleos will grow in size to about 4.7 metres long, compared with the current, 4.5-metre model that has been on sale in Australia since 2008.

The original was Renault’s first SUV, but its replacement will be sit above the Renault Captur compact SUV – as well as the mid-sized Kadjar that Renault Australia decided not to import.

Renault spokespeople have been quoted, however, saying the Koleos will remain a five-seater rather than offer a third row.

The new Koleos adopts the Renault family face, and features LED daytime running lights, a chrome grille, and bonnet creases.

The design looks less awkward than the current model that has struggled to gain any notable share in Australia’s medium-SUV market despite the boom in SUV sales.

The Koleos accounted for just 1 per cent of the segment in 2015 where 127,500 medium SUVs were sold, trailing the majority of entrants that include the twin Nissan X-Trail and dominant Mazda CX-5.

Renault pulled the model from the UK market in 2011 due to poor sales.

Renault is sticking with the Koleos nameplate despite rumours that it would change to Maxthon.