Renault's Grand Koleos: Your 2025 SUV Dream

I received a modest fee for this review from 'Renault Korea,' but I wrote it honestly.

2025 Unlimited New Year Wishes campaign

I revisited the popular Renault mid-size SUV, the Koleos, which boasts an attractive design and efficient E-Tech hybrid system. It has gained significant popularity, ranking second in domestic car registrations in December 2024 (according to Kaizyu Data Research Institute, Monthly TOP10 - January 8, 2025).

Notably, in celebration of 2025, Renault offers existing and new Koleos customers unlimited 5G data for five years to use on the openR panoramic screen inside the vehicle. They are also enhancing purchase benefits for 2025 through the industry's top vehicle residual value guarantee service!

The openR panoramic screen's passenger display allows users to access various multimedia, web surfing, and OTT services—features that were previously available only in high-end imported cars. The Renault Koleos is the first domestic mid-size SUV to include this option, eliminating the hassle of smartphone Wi-Fi tethering or subscribing to paid internet services. Renault Korea provides unlimited 5G data to both existing and new customers, enhancing satisfaction.

When I used the screen, I found the touch response and processing speed quite pleasant, giving the impression that I had seamlessly integrated my home or office tablet into the vehicle. I enjoyed various entertainment functions, including watching YouTube, streaming OTT content, browsing the web, controlling the seats and climate, and listening to my favorite podcasts through wireless headphones.

For golf enthusiasts like me, long-distance drives won’t feel tedious at all. While the screen remains hidden from the driver's view for safety, it provides an excellent experience for passengers.

I enjoyed watching videos on various channels, such as YouTube and Cinema OTT services, through the Naver Whale browser. I could also play music from platforms like VIBE and even search my blog in real time, which was incredibly convenient.

Considering that I could use these features through unlimited 5G data services, it’s an incredible benefit compared to high-end imported cars, where you often have to pay hundreds of thousands of won for additional options.

In addition, Renault Korea is offering an "unlimited care service" to 15 customers selected from January deliveries, providing a maintenance coupon worth about 100,000 won (approximately $75). They will also offer "unlimited test drive experiences" to 20 customers who test drove vehicles at nationwide showrooms in January, allowing them to use a test vehicle from January 24 to 30 for six nights and seven days.

Therefore, I visited the Renault Bundang Ori showroom near my home, where the "Mineral Copper" color test vehicle immediately caught my eye. Inside the showroom, they displayed the top-tier Esprit Alpine trim of the Koleos hybrid.

Renault Korea Automobile Bundang Ori Branch

2793 Yonggu-daero, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

The hot-stamped blue radiator grille exclusive to the Esprit Alpine trim sets it apart from other Koleos trims. Additionally, the two-tone body color with a metallic black roof, blue gradient on the front/rear bumpers, and side garnish highlight its sporty colors and racing graphics.

I particularly appreciated the tail design, featuring a long horizontal LED lamp paired with a luxurious crystal 3D-type tail lamp. The bumper design adds volume, and the large Renault emblem complements the hybrid E-Tech emblem discreetly positioned on the lower right of the trunk.

One of the strongest advantages of the Koleos hybrid is its impressive power output and high fuel efficiency. It combines a 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine with a 100 kW motor, which is twice as powerful as before, delivering a generous performance of 245 ps while achieving a class-leading combined fuel efficiency of 15.7 km/L (approximately 37 mpg).

Although the Arkana hybrid model also demonstrated high fuel efficiency through E-Tech technology, it’s important to note that the Koleos features an upgraded powertrain configuration suitable for its mid-size SUV stature.

When driving the Koleos, I didn’t feel like I was in a typical hybrid vehicle that simply adds fuel efficiency to a gasoline car. Instead, it felt as if I were driving a pure electric vehicle with an internal combustion engine added solely for battery charging.

During my test drive, I noticed the strong torque from the start, making the vehicle feel incredibly light. While most internal combustion engine vehicles have sluggish initial output, the Koleos hybrid delivered a comfortable output at low speeds, with the internal combustion engine kicking in at higher speeds to drive the performance.

Even though the test drive was brief, I hardly heard the engine running, as I mostly drove in EV mode. This is thanks to Renault's E-Tech hybrid technology, developed in collaboration with F1 experts from the Renault Group, which holds over 200 patents for efficiency. Consequently, the fuel consumption in urban areas is significantly lower than that of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, and the driving experience remains quiet, akin to an electric vehicle, with up to 75% of driving time in EV mode.

For reference, the official combined fuel efficiency is 11.1 km/L (approximately 26 mpg) for the gasoline 2WD model with 19-inch wheels, while the E-Tech hybrid (techno) achieves 15.7 km/L (approximately 37 mpg) with the same wheel size. However, during my test drive, the average fuel efficiency displayed on the dashboard was nearly 20 km/L (approximately 47 mpg).

The Koleos also comes equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including active driver assist (with lane change assistance), ClearView Transparent Chassis, which makes the vehicle transparent to avoid obstacles, FULL Auto Parking, which automatically parks the vehicle by detecting obstacles and surroundings using ultrasonic sensors and cameras, evasive steering assistance, and an augmented reality head-up display. In total, the Koleos features up to 31 advanced driver assistance systems.

The vehicle also includes a Bose audio system, smartphone wireless charging, and a 360

°

3D around-view parking assist, ensuring a comprehensive suite of features.

The Esprit Alpine trim adds a unique logo, black Nappa leather seats, and black Alcantara and suede interior materials for a special touch.

The spacious interior deserves praise, offering a generous 320 mm knee room and 927 mm of rear headroom. The ample space in the second row and efficiently placed storage compartments ensure that a family of four can travel long distances comfortably.

The trunk space is also ample, capable of accommodating up to four golf bags and Boston bags, making it perfect for a team of four heading to the golf course.

Oh, I previously mentioned the unlimited 5G data service for the openR panoramic screen. The fast internet connection allows for a pleasant infotainment and multimedia experience, and the familiar TMAP navigation system is included for convenient navigation.

The NUGU auto feature, which allows voice control of the vehicle, is also convenient, and regular wireless updates (FOTA) ensure that users always have the latest features.

The vehicle also offers a top-tier residual value guarantee service. This applies not only to hybrid buyers but also to those purchasing the 2.0 gasoline turbo model. When personal or small business customers purchase the Koleos and later return it to Renault Korea for a new vehicle, they guarantee the highest residual value according to the following rates:

- 1 year (10,000-15,000 km) 75%

- 2 years (25,000-30,000 km) 70%

- 4 years (55,000-60,000 km) 57%

- 5 years (70,000-75,000 km) 50%

If the vehicle does not meet the minimum mileage for the period, they will offer additional compensation of 0.5% for every 5,000 km below the minimum. For instance, if a vehicle has traveled a total of 19,000 km over two years, it would receive compensation for the 6,000 km below the minimum standard of 25,000 km, resulting in a total residual value guarantee of 71%.

In summary, if you drive the Koleos for about two years and then switch to another new Renault Korea vehicle, you can expect to receive more than 70% of the used car price guaranteed, making it more advantageous than selling through a typical used car dealership.

Furthermore, purchasing the 2025 Koleos comes with a wealth of benefits. Customers can buy it with a lower interest rate of 4.7% (for up to 36 months) compared to last year. Monthly payments have decreased, allowing the Koleos E-Tech hybrid to start at 200,000 won (approximately $150) and the 2.0 gasoline turbo model at 180,000 won (approximately $135). The smart deferred installment option allows customers to defer part of the vehicle price until the end of the term, reducing the initial cost burden while enabling lower monthly payments.

Finally, they are offering discounts of up to 500,000 won (approximately $375) on vehicles produced until October 2024 and up to 1,000,000 won (approximately $750) on showroom vehicles. Customers who repurchase a Renault vehicle can receive an additional discount of 200,000 won to 1,000,000 won (approximately $150 to $750). I encourage you to visit your nearest showroom.

Thanks to such high product value, Renault sold over 20,000 units within just 75 days of launch. Now, let’s wrap this up. Renault Korea is running the "Unlimited New Year Wishes" campaign for 2025, offering unlimited 5G data for five years to existing and new customers using the openR panoramic screen. They will also randomly select 15 customers from January deliveries to receive a maintenance coupon worth 1,000,000 won (approximately $750) for use within the Renault Korea service network. Additionally, they will provide an "unlimited test drive experience" to customers who test drove vehicles at nationwide showrooms in January, allowing them to use a test vehicle from January 24 to 30 for six nights and seven days.

Vehicle pick-up and return will be managed through business offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Busan, with the test vehicles being the Koleos hybrid and gasoline models. This will provide customers who have previously felt disappointed by brief test drives with ample opportunity to fully experience the Koleos. Applications can be submitted through nationwide Renault Korea branches and the website.

Unlimited New Year wishes long-term test drive event application

2025 Unlimited
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