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On the 27th, Renault Korea unveiled its mid-size SUV, the 'New Renault Koleos,' at the '2024 Busan Mobility Show.' Shortly after, on the 18th, the price of the New Renault Koleos made headlines. The starting price for the gasoline turbo model is approximately $2,600 (3,495,000 KRW), while the hybrid model starts at about $2,800 (3,777,000 KRW).
Additionally, the pricing of the Renault Koleos is slightly lower than that of its competitors, such as the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. While some consumers may opt for the more affordable Renault Koleos over the Sorento and Santa Fe, it's becoming increasingly rare for buyers to make their decisions based solely on price in today's market.
While price remains important when purchasing a vehicle, factors such as design, brand reputation, performance, convenience features, and safety specifications are crucial in helping consumers select the right car. In this information age, we can easily access the necessary details. As Renault Korea introduces the New Renault Koleos after four years, many consumers will likely compare it to the leading domestic mid-size SUVs, the Santa Fe and Sorento.
The New Renault Koleos boasts solid fundamentals as it marks Renault Korea's return after four years. It comes equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving assistance features across all models, along with various advanced driving support technologies. The 'OpenAl Panoramic Screen,' debuting in the Koleos, is also standard, although the passenger display varies by trim. Some trims offer it as an option, while the vehicle includes real-time T-map navigation and the voice recognition system Nugu Auto as standard features.
Moreover, focusing on safety, the New Renault Koleos features 24 ultra-high-strength hot-pressed components in its body, accounting for 18% of its structure. This design enhances passenger safety during collisions. With the longest wheelbase in its class at 111.0 inches (2,820 mm), the Koleos ensures a comfortable rear seat area with ample knee space. Additionally, the second-row seats, which can be adjusted in two stages, offer a 60:40 split-folding capability, providing up to 71.8 cubic feet (2,034 liters) of cargo space when folded, making it an ideal family vehicle.
Another highlight is the hybrid model, the Koleos E-Tech, which features a dual motor system that delivers a class-leading system output of 245 horsepower. This system combines a 100 kW driving electric motor with a 60 kW high-voltage starter motor and is paired with a 1.64 kWh battery, the largest in its class. This setup allows the vehicle to operate in electric mode for up to 75% of the urban driving range and achieves an impressive fuel efficiency of 37.2 miles per gallon (15.8 km/L) in highway driving (Techno trim). The Koleos E-Tech is gaining recognition as a highly attractive hybrid vehicle.
However, recent reactions to the pricing of the Renault Koleos indicate that some consumers find it expensive, while others argue that the price difference compared to the Sorento and Santa Fe is not significant when considering options. This has led to reports of some pre-order customers contemplating canceling their contracts, indicating early challenges for the Koleos. Additionally, existing issues with Renault Korea, such as inadequate vehicle repair facilities and high maintenance costs, contribute to hesitance in purchasing the new model.
Furthermore, the Renault Koleos does not offer options for a regular sunroof or panoramic sunroof, which has drawn criticism. Notably, the base model of the Koleos, known in South Korea as the Geely Automobile Xingyue L, provides a panoramic sunroof as an option, raising potential concerns. There is also interest in whether this controversy is limited to domestic models or extends to export versions.
Therefore, the pricing of the Renault Koleos, which has only changed in exterior design while sharing key components with the Geely Automobile Xingyue L, is at least $3,700 (5,000,000 KRW) to over $7,400 (10,000,000 KRW) more expensive. This raises concerns about the pricing strategy, and Renault Korea's future actions will be closely watched. Currently, the company has not yet issued a follow-up regarding the employee involved in the recent 'misandry' controversy, which appears to be negatively impacting Renault Korea's public perception and corporate image beyond just the automotive sector.
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