I took the Koleos for a spin from Palace Orchards today.
A test drive of about 10 kms around that area on normal roads, in normal traffic, on a relatively empty stretch and on a slightly rough road too.
Engine and Performance:
Lovely push button start with that smart key. I really find this handy.
Super smooth powerful 2 litre Diesel. Enjoyed it.Very silent indeed, just like a petrol engine
Pretty rev happy engine overall with plenty of torque for chugging about in low gear.
Gear system:Very nice AT box
Whichever journalist said the Autobox tends to hunt between gears may not have been accurate. I did not face any problem.
On accelerating even suddenly, the vehicle simply drops a couple of gears and takes off - useful while overtaking and things like that.
When driving at extremely low speeds the torque takes you happily through.
I used the 2WD mode but mostly was on Auto mode preferring to let the vehicle's computer decide.
4WD lock we used very briefly on one stretch of road. No problems at all but that wasnt a real test because it wasnt a slushy road. Just a bit broken road with some loose surfaces.
Braking:
Braking is excellent and effective.
The ABS doesnt kick your foot back unless one brakes really hard.
Handling:
Very stable around corners.
Lovely car like handling overall.
No pitching yawing and wallowing like most SUV's - this is a dream to drive after my truck like Scorpio!
Feels very settled at slightly higher speeds too.
Doesnt get rattled over bumps and speed breakers. I guess the tyres and wheels sizes help.
The high ground clearance of 205-206mm is great - one has complete confidence driving over the badly designed speed bumps of Bangalore.
The skid plates in front and rear are a nice touch as is the underbody protection offered.
Ergonomics, Comfort, Interiors, Fit and Finish:
Suffice it to say that it is absolutely first class. A pleasure to sit in.
Easy Ingress and Egress for a tall person like me (6ft 2 inches).
No bending bowing and scraping required.
Very nice driving position.
Dead pedal is very nicely placed and very comfy to use.
Good lumbar support
Excellent under-thigh support
Easy to read dials and comfortably placed switches etc
Dual zone climatronic setup is very nice
Bose Music system sounds very nice indeed, but since I was listening to radio for a bit it may not be the best way to judge the quality.
Nice little cubbyholes here and there. Centre storage very good.
Glovebox storage also very good.
Rear seat is impossibly cramped for one like myself especially if another one like myself is driving and pushes the driving seat right back.
The rear seat tables are good.
All the materials used feel very good and of a premium quality
Fit, finish and finesse is very high indeed.
Decent centre arm rest at the rear and at the front.
Interiors,Utility and other:
This vehicle passed my lateral golf bag test with plenty of space left over for luggage.
It would be very nice for a well off young urban yuppy type couple for their holidays along with their luggage.
It would be equally lovely for a couple with their 2 kids and their luggage.
I like the split tailgate and the roller retractable luggage bay cover/ tray
The beige fabric carpet might get dirty
The plastic seat backs are good and easy to keep clean.
I love the lower tailgate with its lower loading lip - very easy to load heavy suitcases etc
Also the fact that it can handle all of 200Kg load is a plus - I sat on the lower tail gate when it was open. Feels perfectly solid. (I dont weigh 200 kg but Im glad that it has that load bearing capacity)
Very useful for surfers and beach type people or picnics and camping.
Looks and appearance:
Looks quite bland overall. No real presence per se. Why I say this is because the SUV buyer in India wants road presence and a sort of “might is right” kind of appearance.
To me it looks nice and anonymous – I like this vehicle because it is not likely to attract loads of attention when one is driving about in it. It does look a bit like a cross between a Tucson and a Santa Fe. It doesn’t have that touch of French panache to be truthful. Like the Renault Megane etc – those cars have a certain something about them that the Koleos kind of lacks.
Showroom, Staff etc:
Pleasantly surprised by the people there - they are nice, quite knowledgeable and smart too. A sea of difference between the call centre/ email help desk experience and this particular showroom experience. Nice and clean showroom. Well maintained. Good housekeeping standard and neat and tidy. Hope this continues because once it gets busier, then standards generally tend to fall.
Some other points:
Wish they had offered different coloured interiors for those who are not smitten by the typical Indian "beige madness".
While the colours are light and airy, they will take a lot of beating in the dry, dusty and dirty conditions here.
I am personally not too pleased that the Bose subwoofer and other kit is sitting about where the spare wheel is. Spare wheels get dirty and I wouldn’t want my nice Bose stuff getting greasy and dusty because of my spare tyre!
Summing Up:
Basically I think they've done a very good job bringing this vehicle into India. But I wish they had not priced it so high.
They could have dumped/ deleted some of the expensive kit inside – the BOSE stuff frankly was not absolutely necessary.
Or maybe they should have launched 2 -3 versions and enabled greater consumer choice.
The choice of colours is very limited – Black, Silver and White! – They could have come in with a couple more bright colours because typically, Indians love bright blingy colours.
Despite the Renault badging, anyone in the know would realize easily that it is essentially the same as the Samsung QM7.
The pricing is way too high for what is essentially a re-badged Korean.
It is only here in India that vehicles which are considered regular utility vehicles anywhere else in the world, become luxury wagons for the posers amongst us!
Now for the Duster:
I sincerely hope they bring the Duster in quickly as a perfect foil to the Koleos, with similar safety features, utility stuff, good level of kit etc, but at a much more acceptable price level. This way they will have a presence in 2 segments. If they launch the Euro Spec Duster at 13-14 Lacs on road Bangalore, it will become a cult vehicle instantaneously. The chaps at the shop say the Duster is expected in March 2012. Worth waiting I think, if this is indeed true.
Thats it for the moment.
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