Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: £17,618 to £24,175
Well-equipped, spacious cabin, refined.
Auto saps performance and adds low-speed jerkiness.
Auto 'box seriously weakens Koleos performance.
Last time round we described the Koleos as a very capable off-roader but we weren't enamoured with the unusual design. Well, the jury is still out on whether you find the Koleos a refreshing reinterpretation of a small 4x4 or just a little odd, but the whole range has become more desirable with the addition of one model - the dCi 150 automatic.
It sounds so simple: slap an automatic onto an efficient and economical, torquey turbodiesel and you should have a relaxing and effortless small 4x4 with reasonable running costs.
Most car makers prefer mating an auto with a petrol engine, that's if they offer an auto at all, so the Renault has an advantage - only the Land Rover Freelander and the Volkswagen Tiguan offer diesel automatics in this class.
