Pros • Cabin, load space • Fuel economy • Dash presentation
Cons • Noisy suspension • Flat seats • CVT characteristics The Koleos did what it was intended to do. It gave Renault a foothold in a hitherto unrepresented segment and, more importantly in Australia, it quickly became Renault’s biggest-selling model.If there was a major shortcoming with the second generation Koleos it was the lack of a diesel engine. The newcomer was exclusively powered by a hard-working 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing a reasonable 126kW/226Nm and returning, in AWD form, a combined fuel consumption average of 8.3L/100km.But that’s all changed now. The long-awaited turbo-diesel option arrived in August 2017 to immediately bring more power and (a lot more) torque. At 130kW/380Nm it’s a true grunter which, at 6.1L/100km, also offers better fuel consumption, plus lower exhaust emissions (150g/km against the petrol version’s 192g/km).
Pros Noticeably more torque and better fuel economy from the diesel engine Big size equals excellent second-row space inside Competitively priced Good ownership credentials
Cons Powertrain not as seamless and effortless as the numbers suggest No quicker than cheaper front-drive petrol Koleos variants Wieldy SUV to manoeuvre and park Ho-hum infotainment system Lower braked towing rating than petrol versions The diesel clatter is also quite noticeable, though nothing like a deal-breaker, but it does harness the on-demand all-wheel-drive system's tractive talents better and more noticeably than the petrol engine does. And by maintaining fuel economy within a ballpark of its maker’s 6.1 combined cycle claim, it’s markedly more efficient by a couple of litres per hundred, particularly around town.
Pros Great exterior looks Nice enough to drive Good level of equipment
Cons Doesn't come with a seven-seat option Prices are a bit high Manual gearbox isn't the smoothest
When the Pilot’s too big and the CR-V is too small, the 2020 Honda Passport two-row crossover SUV is just the ticket.
Pros Comfortable interior Refined on the road Decent off-road chops Good 8.0-inch touchscreen on some models
Cons 9-speed automatic is a little confused Expensive in top models Not too adventurous in style Not as tough as some may need
The Passport returns largely unchanged for 2020.
Pros Spacious interior with lots of passenger space Comfortable front seats Enhanced off-road ability Many clever storage compartments
Cons Adaptive cruise control is only available over 20 mph Driver's seat might be positioned a little too high for some people
For 2020, Honda doesn't make any meaningful changes to the Passport lineup. This is to be expected since the company just re-released the two-row crossover last year.
Pros Loads of cargo and passenger space, speedy powertrain, copious standard driver assists.
Cons Looks more rugged than it is, only top trims have top options, rides rough on bumpy roads.
