Test drive by Renault Koleos since 2008 SUV

Equilibrium

They are looking for a balance! Between the city and not the city. Between size and price. Between practicality and status. We tested them, compared and ...

We also took up the search for a balance between the opinion of the apologists of the asphalt, off -road and just roads. We showed them to those who, in practice, choose one of them.

Renault Koleos 2.5 CVT
Price from 949,000 rubles.
Max. Power 171 hp
Max. speed 188 km/h
Acceleration 0100 km/h 10.3 s.

VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI
price, rub. from 904,000
Max. Power, L.S. 150
Max. Speed, km/h 192
Acceleration 0100 km/h, with 9.6

Ford Kuga
price, rub. from 881 000
Max. Power, L.S. 136
Max. Speed, km/h 180
Acceleration 0100 km/h, from 10.7

Nissan Qashqai 2.0 CVT 4x4
price, rub. from 782 000
Max. Power, L.S. 141
Max. Speed, km/h 178
Acceleration 0100 km/h, from 11.3

Softer
Dmitry Sokolov.
He is weighty. In the broadest sense. You climb into his driver's place and clap a door in which the weight of all five euro ncap stars is felt as if they were cast from gold and applied on board. You press on the gas, and the body of Koleos cries. Having accepted the trim for the stern, it will soon catch up with the chassis that escaped forward. Then you will turn the steering wheel and remember how the hundredth Land Cruiser was controlled on the asphalt. Renault has no unreasonable bridges and there was no need to make such a pendant that would provide a fantastic angle of crossing the axes. But Koleos is so dough that it behaves on the road as the most dense SUVs. All actions must be taken with a lead, move without fuss and rejoice in comfort.

Koleos King of broken streets, paving stones, tram rails, primers and peripheral highways. Here it may be the fastest, provided that serenity and comfort is preserved. Small irregularities annihize tires, and large dissolve in the soft infinity of the stroke of suspensions: nothing interferes with the desire of the body to maintain a state of rectilinear movement. Decent dynamics and, to match the handling, the ease of traction controls provide a 2.5-liter (only possible) gasoline engine and a stray variator. The brake drive is also in complete harmony with the overall mood of the car is soft and long. Koleos car with a characteristic design and precisely outlined soft character. He makes a whole impression and this is his strength: if his choice was conscious and did not become a mistake, then the car will not disappoint.

Renault Koleos
Engine
Type gasoline, 4-cyl. Comple work, cm3 2488 max. Power, L.S. at about./min. 171/6000 max. moment, NM at about./min. 226/4400 Transmission variator
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 188 acceleration 0100 km/h, with 10.3
general information
Fuel consumption (funny cycle EU), l/100 km 9.5 length/width/height, mm 4520/2120/1710 Equipment mass, kg 1538 wheelbase, mm 2690 price, rub. from 949,000


Alexey Mochalov.
If the SUV looks like Hyundai Tucson, and the aggregate base of the flesh from the flesh of Nissan X-Trail, this indirectly indicates remarkable abilities in pampas. This conclusion can be made simply for beautiful eyes. And reality only confirms the first conclusions. In geometric cross-country ability, the Japanese-Korean Frenchman is the best in our quartet, and a traction 2.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a variator gives wide possibilities outside the asphalt. This is the only SUV in our test that does not suffer from a clear lack of traction at low engine speeds, despite the common lack of low row in the transmission. But even despite this, it is better not to dwell on viscous and loose soils in places where it will obviously be difficult to move.

In terms of dimensions, Koleos surpasses its competitors, which is why it has a more spacious and bright salon

The experiment can end with a tugboat even in the most harmless situation at first glance, because it smoothly move, avoiding slipping, is still very difficult, this is not a professional SUV. As a result, the car will either bury in the ground, or he simply does not have the strength to crank the wheels and move again. In response to pressing the accelerator pedal, you will hear a strained rumbling of the engine, and the variator will begin to helplessly slide from here the basic principle of overcoming complex areas on urban SUVs, if you can not go around, move inertia, and not forgetting of the vulnerable plastic body kit.

Everything that was said to the Nissan Qashqai transmission can be attributed entirely to Koleos. There are no fundamental changes that make Renault something better or worse than the Qashqai/X-Trail pair in the conditions of off-road.

There is no point in arguing with their opinion
Goryanova Natalya, 25 years old, editor -in -chief of a sports site, driver’s experience for 7 years, travels to Nissan Almera. The design somehow failed at all, a non-casualist and even funny. A very heavy bottom and disproportionately small top (like nesting dolls: the head is smaller, and the bottom is from a larger one). As options, you can buy all kinds of modern systems and make a car richer. For example, I was captivated by a magnificent panoramic roof. I like that there is a variator here, providing a completely smooth and soft move. I am a very calm driver, and the dynamic characteristics of this machine suit me, but this, alas, is not enough.

Margarita Alekseeva, 41 years old, musician, driver’s experience for three months, travels to Renault Koleos. I just got a driver’s license and do not feel confident in the stream. Now in the car, good overview, an automatic gearbox, a large road clearance and the feeling that they see me and at least some other drivers respect me. I am satisfied with my choice and already managed to get very much to my typewriter. In this model I see only one minus: the proposed coloristic options are very sad gray and gloomy. The cars would look better if the paints were bright.



Faster
Dmitry Sokolov.
The torque is just rubber. You press the pedal tightly only to enjoy the rigid fullness of its entire course. No millimeter for backlash, no gram in the air. The same is in the suspension: not a moment for a delay. Ford said and Ford did: Kuga today is the most sports and gambling of small crossovers in the market. He is and the brightest in appearance. Its design captivates and deceives at the same time. This machine, how many times do not come to it, always seems different. It may look big when you are close, and surprisingly miniature: you should go by a dozen steps.

It may seem even cumbersome: parking Kuga is almost the same as squeezing the Ranger parking lot. Almost because she still needs a smaller place. The suspension is tough and running comfort in the crossover no more than in Mondeo. But the energy intensity of suspensions is also great: you should not be afraid of breakdowns even on disgusting roads. How easily the machine is controlled, how stable it is and at the same time light on the go on the asphalt allows you not to make discounts on what you are going on a crossover: everything that you are used to in well -controlled cars and works in Kuga. Just sit higher and look away. A wonderful turbodiesel and six -speed mechanics is good. But only a wonderful turbodiesel and only six -speed mechanics are no longer very good. But temporarily. There will be a machine gun. There will be gasoline 2.5t 200 liters. with. Given these circumstances, it will be very difficult to compete with Kuga.

Ford Kuga
Engine
Type diesel, 4-cyl. Complete working volume, cm3 1997 max. Power, l.? p. at about./min. 136/4000 max. moment, NM at about./min. 320/2000 transmission 6-st., Fur.
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 180 acceleration 0100 km/h, with 10.7
general information
Fuel consumption (funny cycle EU), l/100 km 6.4 length/width/height, mm 4443/1842/1710 Equipment mass, kg 1538 Wheel base, mm 2690 Price, rub. from 881 000

Alexey Mochalov.
Kuga and off -road? Why not, if you like the movement. If you are an adherent of a thoughtful approach and regret the car to make a hundred -kilometer hook on the asphalt than to experience a couple of kilometers of shame, the engine is constantly turning the engine when touched from the place, like a student of a driving school. The reason is the same as with Volkswagen Tiguan, a total lack of traction on the bottoms, and, as a result, the need to burn the clutch at each start from the ground.

It seems that a two-liter turbodiesel in theory should provide Kuga with excellent thrust in the entire speed range, but the Common-Rail injection system, which allowed a revolution in the diesel world in terms of acceleration dynamics, left such a thing as diesel thrust in bright memory

The full -wheel drive system with the Haldex Intelligent electronic system works fully automatically, there are neither treasured buttons nor auxiliary functions. But there are no illusions, this is a passenger car to the brain of bones. Thermal resistance of the coupling, like in the situation with Tiguan, could not be checked, but among our entire four, only Ford was noticed after a noticeable delay in connecting the rear axle when slipping the front wheels.

In terms of geometric patency of the Kuga, stars from the sky are not enough, but for the average summer cottage off-road passage, there is enough with a margin. And most importantly, than Ford fell in love with this ability of suspensions to work out any blows on broken roads and primers, and the map is accurately controlled. We will wait for a gasoline turbocation with an automatic transmission, this guy will not give himself offense in all disciplines!

Loyalty is very personal
Marina Pereshelyenkova, 58 years old, housewife, driver's experience of 6 years, travels to Nissan X-Trail. Nissan is my brand. The husband Audi A6 does not interest me at all. Now I have a X-TRIIL, and before it was a favorite Almera. If I had no grandchildren, cats and cottages, for the city I would prefer Qashqai it is original, stands out from the total mass, is well controlled, inside, I really like everything. And the rear view camera is generally charm!

Natalya Korniyko, 26 years old, lawyer, driver’s experience of 6 years, travels to Subaru Forester. In the spring, having sold my old Subaru Forester, I was in search of a new car: high, practical and for adequate money (I already have a Mercedes convertible). Qashqai theoretically approached. But I did not like him either outwardly or inside. And when I pressed the gas, I completely asked the salon manager to tell me something magical so that I would like to buy this strange car. He was amazed: why?! On her and so the turn. As a result, I bought a new Subaru Forester.




More profitable
Dmitry Sokolov.
The nomad took the cities immediately and everywhere. A strong concept car, the right image, a powerful advertising campaign and the insight of marketers have done their job. The first mass compact crossover was ahead of the market, where he had no one to compete with a year and a half, and the whole world put in line for himself. The audience longed for a car of this class even earlier than Qashqai appeared, and as soon as it came out, you didn’t need Qashqai? He almost became an insult: who does not need him?. And today this class has turned from pressing exotic into a fashionable shirpotreb, where any self -respecting manufacturer of mass cars seeks to arrange its proposal, but the pioneer of the harrows of inexpensive crossovers will last a long time in the market.

It is compact. It is convenient with him in the city and the feeling of its dimensions is excellent. A two -liter engine and a variator with the possibility of forced step switching are taken confidently. But what about the chassis? Where is the end of the end? Any unloading on the wave of asphalt or primer is given by shots of fully elongated racks both in the front and rear pendants. Hence the amazing combination of insufficient rotation and tendency to skidding at the same time: it is worth loading the suspension in the bend, as Qashqai tears off the inner rear wheel from the road and sharply falls into the skid. Why is the effort on the steering wheel in the parking lot and falls on the go, but increases when it is necessary to maneuver? There are no answers, but a compact crossover with a surname, which means reliability and authority, is offered at an excellent price: even when it is not alone in the market, it has enough trump cards to stay in the game.

Nissan Qashqai
Engine
Type gasoline, 4-cyl. Complete working volume, cm3 1997 max. Power, l.? p. at about./min. 141/6000 max. moment, NM at about./min. 196/4800 Transmission variator, 6-st.
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 178 acceleration 0100 km/h, from 11.3
general information
Fuel consumption (funny cycle EU), l/100 km 8.3 length/width/height, mm 4315/1783/1606 Equipment mass, kg 1535 wheelbase, mm 2631 Price, rub. from 782 900

Alexey Mochalov.
And yet, as appearance is deceiving! Looking at the Nassan Qashqai, it is hard to believe that this frivolous machine in all-wheel drive modification can hit the imagination on impassability. With a closer acquaintance, reality is much more promising. The car was created on the same platform with the Nissan X-Trail SUV. Both the suspension and the all -wheel drive system are unified between two models, and Qashqai is completely surpassed by the older brother in weight and geometric patency! The only thing that the city cat is deprived of the descent system is deprived of, and the loss is not great. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that in a quiet whirlpool, if not the devils, then very extraordinary creatures.

The guarantee of success on crossed areas for Qashqai lies in the transmission, the cuneiform variator compensates for the lack of thrust at low speeds in a two -liter gasoline engine. The automatic transmission mode distributes the torque between the wheels by means of an electromagnetic coupling installed in front of the rear axle. In severe conditions, the coupling can be blocked, in this case, the torque will be distributed between the axes in the proportion of 57/43 (forward/back), but when 30 km/h reaches the lock, the lock will automatically turn off. In practice, when moving with constant skidding (deep snow, liquid dirt), the electromagnetic coupling quickly overheats, and the car becomes front -wheel drive until the thermal regime is normalized. So you should still not go to all heavy on Qashqai.





Smooth
Dmitry Sokolov.
His handed front overhang is for business. 100% of the functions here are involved by 101% of the tradition in which there is Golf IV, Touran, and Touareg, and God knows what VW more. Tiguan is a moderately asphalt compact compact car of increased cross -country ability, and its front overhang is ugly in order to decorate the schemes of geometric patency. I don’t know what I went to Tiguan Mochalov in his slope, but even for my asphalt, low-volume TSI for all its advantages and economic and ecological miracles does not look as convenient as it should be expected.

There is no motor at all at all, and it really wakes up only in the middle of the range. However, this is not a sentence on the asphalt: the details of the six -speed mechanics are enough to own the situation well. Tiguan has an optimal suspension: not so hard as to upset one of us, but not so soft to turn a trip into a balloon. Neat reactions to the steering wheel, reliable behavior in corners, soft access to the limit, a decent supply of energy intensity: a calm setting of a high -quality chassis. Tiguan from the outside is exactly what you feel: the feeling of dimensions is excellent. Tiguan inside is exactly what it was supposed to be: the high -quality interior is thought out and ergonomic, all switches where they were supposed to be, the landing is convenient, and the sound is unobtrusive. Wealth, confidence, common sense: Tiguan personifies everything. This is such a choice that you do not have to explain and for which you do not have to make excuses to anyone. Even in front of you.

Volkswagen Tiguan
Engine
Type gasoline, 4-cyl. Comple work volume, cm3 1390 max. Power, L.S. at about./min. 150/5800 Max. moment, NM at about./min. 240/1750-4000 transmission 6-st., Fur.
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 192 acceleration 0100 km/h, with 9.6
general information
Fuel consumption (funny cycle EU), l/100 km 8.4 length/width/height, mm 4427/1809/1686 Elealing weight, kg 1538 Wheel base, mm 2604

Alexey Mochalov.
The fact that Volkswagen Tiguan does not glow in off-road disciplines, despite the promising TRACK & FILD equipment, it became clear when studying tactical and technical characteristics. The truncated front overweight, high-profile tires and the magic Off-Road button is still not enough to become the king of the mountain. Star of stumbling combination of a low -profile motor 1.4 TSI and six -speed mechanics. Such a duet it can show itself well on the highway, but not on rough terrain. For confident overcoming off -road, a confident craving with idle speeds is very important, and any of the automakers has not yet been able to achieve this quality from small -bloodstered high -compiled engines, and if the machine allows you to brighten up this, then the mechanics flaunts.

The result of trips to Russian lanes turned out to be disappointing to move on the rise or on weak ground, you need to set fire to the clutch. If this happens once a year nothing criminal, but, for example, when trying to break through a snowy change to a country house, if you make a series of such attempts, or try to rescue the car out of the captivity to swing, then the clutch will very quickly become unusable and will require replacements. Haldex coupling leads all -wheel drive. Her work is absolutely invisible, because as such a rear axle connection when slipping the front wheels is not here. Even on pure asphalt, 10% torque is passed back. It was not possible to check the smart transmission for thermal resistance thanks to the same manual transmission, the clutch would have surrendered earlier. We will wait for a version with an automatic

They want to ride it
Elena Lebedeva, 54 years old, teacher, driver’s experience for 16 years, travels to Toyota Rav4. Frankly, I do not understand anything in cars. For me, this is only a means of transportation is necessarily comfortable and safe. It is ridiculous to observe most motorists, the less advanced, the more they are thinking of themselves. I choose cars purely intuitively and I am not ashamed of it. I like Tiguan. I like his visibility, ergonomics, design. It seems to me that this is a very practical and at the same time an emotional machine.

Elizaveta Gorbachevskaya, 34 years old, training manager, driver’s experience 1.5 years, travels to the Audi A3. How much is? Where to run? Who to call? Everything seems to be family and understandable. And, of course, convenient. I have no desire for large cars as such, but I have a summer house. And my A3, I admit, is low. If I wanted to change it, then, as I understand, it is on Tiguan. Automatic parking brake and Hill-SSIST are lovely what is, very useful things! Especially for us, for blondes!




Design
OUTSIDE.
Here they are, favorites of the 21st century, and almost all gathered in one test. Favorites, because they are extremely popular, and because they are extremely dynamically developed and produced. Naturally, this situation could not but affect their design and style, which should be bright, fashionable and emotional. Everything that can attract new consumers to the class of crossovers or premium utility is used. In the category of recognition, VW leads and its unpretentious, but convincing architecture correlates with the past of the brand and with the new look of Golf VI. The face is new, although not the most. The most just at Golf. But, as a result, the appearance of the German car is the most crossover. Another German Ford Kuga is also whole, but this quality of architecture is different than that of Tiguan. Ford is a kinetic design, which means another plastic language. He is more muscular and dynamic, and the relief is more related to the form. Against the background of such emotionality, Coleos looks gloomy and even dull. But brutal, which can come in handy on off -road. Cognitiveness from the face thanks to a large rhombus emblem for five. At the back the same picture, for no one else has such an expressive frame of glass of the rear door. The silhouette of the Hatchbekovsky, but somewhat puffy. The Japanese design Qashqai is characteristic, but sometimes, thanks to the emotional Kuga, it also begins to seem boring. This is facilitated by a dull face with hypertrophied headlights and a uniform (in a circle) relief of the body surface.

INSIDE.
To raise the premium utility bar as high as possible, all participants in the dough, without saying a word, use a spectacular combination in the decoration of aluminum and black skin. Beautifully. The architecture of the instrument panels beats the fashionable theme of the board, in which the central console has few connections with the overlay of the central tunnel of the floor. Beautiful and, as a rule, concisely. For example, the Qashqai style can even remind the Nissan Z interior, the doors upholstery and a serious steering wheel is very beautiful. It is curious that the French car inside is not at all impressive, but functional and solid. The Kuga interior looks too calm and does not go much with the riot of kinetic design from the outside. On the contrary, the interior of VW gives the impression of too dynamic, despite the rustic circles of defroster. However, someone may even like it.

SUMMARY:
Their style and design should generate energy, like morning coffee or contrasting soul. It turns out almost everyone, but with varying degrees of effectiveness and differently. The same will be their owners.

1 PLACE. Handing properties on asphalt, design, Ford Kuga

2ND PLACE. Washing properties on asphalt, quality Volkswagen Tiguan

3RD PLACE. Comfort, running properties on the soil Renault Koleos

4th place. Price, practicality, compactness Nissan Qashqai

SUMMARY:
VW and Ford turned out to be very close in comparison, while how different the characters are. We gave the victory of Kuga, one might say, for beautiful eyes: for a brighter and more characteristic design, that is. And realizing how subjective this is the criterion.

Both cars received high grades, including for the prospects of their growth: Kuga gasoline with an automaton and Tiguan with a diesel engine are soon expected. This will help reduce their lag from Renault and Nissan in off -road disciplines, and increase the advantage on the asphalt, where both cars are confidently leading, not inferior in terms of running properties with high -quality and modern European cars. Ford is a little more sports, and VW is more comfortable and universal.

Both of them bring and the pleasure of management and pride of possession. Renault Koleos in today's market is one of a kind: there are very few cars with such a soft suspension today and for those who are close to the French nature of the chassis settings, Koleos is a real gift. There are various judgments about how much this increases, in fact, there are various judgments: some irritates shaking in cars with denser chassis, others are motionless in excessively soft machines, and fluctuations in the unsubstantiated masses can fall into unpleasant resonance with the human body: all this and this and all this and this subjective and individual.

However, objectively, that, traditionally for Renault, and despite the logical delays and fulfill of the car with a soft long -term suspension, the car is controlled predictably and understandable. It does not scare any surprises in any modes up to the limit. On the bad roads of the Renault leader. Nissan Qashqai combination of low price, respected brand and practicality. The failure of the running properties on the asphalt and lane is compensated by the reliable operation of the stabilization system for active maneuvers. Given that most of the time city crossovers spend in urban traffic jams, Nissan economic arguments are more weighty than technical. They will ensure a good demand for him in the future.


Text Dmitry Sokolov, Alexey Mochalov, Olesya Repkina, Andrey Sahakyan

 

A source: Cars