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
The 2021 Kia Seltos anchors a family of crossover SUVs with its choice of 4-cylinders and available wide-screen infotainment
Pros Kicky looks Big 10.3-inch touchscreen (optional) Available all-wheel drive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Cons Base engine’s low output Unknown which safety features come standard
New subcompact crossover slots between the Soul and the Sportage.The Kia Seltos is an all-new model for 2021.
Pros Impressive interior materials Lots of standard and available tech Plenty of cargo space for a compact SUV Brimming with personality
Cons Rough ride on the highway Limited space for passengers in the back seat
Everything. Seltos is an all-new SUV for the Kia brand and, despite being on sale in global markets for 2020, is launching in the North American market for the 2021 model year.
Pros Spacious interior, sweet optional 10.3-inch infotainment, spry handling.
Cons Firm ride, seven-speed automatic hesitant at low speeds, driver-assistance features not standard.
