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 ultimate Audi crossover is convincingly sporty and properly useful.
Pros Suave and tech-savvy cabin, sporty and comfy ride, more useful than Audi sedans.
Cons Pricier than the more pragmatic Q7, distracting touchscreens, less fun to drive than Audi sedans.
The Audi Q8 is a luxurious, comfortable SUV but it isn't as sporty as its looks suggest, nor is it as practical as a Q7.
Pros Imposing looks Indulgent interior Advanced technology
Cons Numb handling Limited versatility Unproven ride comfort
Audi's Q7 is undoubtedly a practical three-row SUV, but maybe you find it to be a bit plain Jane when compared against sleeker rivals such as the Land Rover Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne.
Pros Comes well-equipped with many standard features Comfortable ride and seats for all passengers High-quality cabin Front and rear seats offer all-day comfort
Cons Less practical than the related Q7 New infotainment system can be distracting to use Throttle response is too slow in the default driving mode Limited interior storage space