I test drove Renault Korea’s Grand Koleos. Known as the Aurora 1 project, the Grand Koleos was introduced as Renault’s top-of-the-line SUV, a D-segment model. The Grand Koleos is impressive for its quietness with its two-motor hybrid system, and the passenger seat monitor, which is the first of its kind in a domestic car, is considered a refreshing item.
Renault Korea has released the Grand Koleos, the result of the Aurora 1 project after a long drought of new cars. The Grand Koleos, which debuted at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show in June, has attracted attention in the domestic automobile market in the second half of the year, with mass production in July and delivery in August. It is also recorded as Renault’s largest vehicle ever.
Renault Korea’s Aurora Project refers to a new car plan based on the CMA platform. The Aurora 1 project, which was first introduced, will be a mid-sized SUV, the Gran Koleos, and the Aurora 2 project will be a coupe-type SUV. In addition, Renault Korea’s Busan plant will begin domestic production of the electric vehicle Polestar 4 starting in 2025.
The first impression of the Grand Koleos is fresh. It shares the platform and interior design of the already-on-sales Gilisa Xingyu L, but the exterior design has been completely changed. It is a design similar to the feeling of ‘Electro Pop’ that Renault Korea emphasized when it revamped its mission and emblem.
The Electro Pop brand strategy is centered around Renault’s E-Tech electrification technology, advanced connectivity centered around openR link, and the safety-first Human-First program. The Grand Koleos is equipped with a hybrid powertrain, openR panoramic screen, and 31 ADAS systems.
The front part is notable for its uniquely patterned grille with body color applied. It is thought to be similar to the design of the Kia K8. Unlike the K8, which had an excessively large grille, the balance between the grille and the body is good. Unlike the relatively lively design of the panel, the serious-looking headlights and rear lights are also somewhat heterogeneous.
The Grand Koleos has a body length of 4780mm (-35), width of 1880mm (-20), height of 1680mm (-15), and wheelbase of 2820mm (+5), which is similar in size to the Sorento. It is a difference of about one or two finger joints. It seems that the width has been reduced by 15mm and the wheelbase by 25mm compared to the original model, the Xingyu L, for the Aurora 2.
Visually, it may feel a bit small, but this is thought to be due to the open greenhouse, the relatively low height, and the dynamic character lines. While the Sorento and Santa Fe were planned as mid-sized SUVs targeting the US market, the Grand Koleos is a model aimed at Europe, and the approach is somewhat different.
The interior is dominated by a horizontal dashboard connected by a single panel and three 12.3-inch displays built into it. The passenger display is an option that is only applied to mid-to-higher trims in the Benz E-Class, and this is the first time it has been applied to a domestic car. The viewing angle of the polarizing film is somewhat excessive.
The interior is a combination of plain materials, artificial leather, and some metallic materials, creating a moderate sense of luxury. Particularly impressive is the soft touch and seating comfort of the Nappa artificial leather seats. The characteristics of the seats surprisingly have a great impact on the ride comfort, and both the first and second row seats provide a good feeling.
The Grand Koleos Hybrid combines a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline turbo engine, two electric motors, and a multi-mode automatic 3-speed dedicated transmission. The engine produces 144 horsepower (5,500 rpm), maximum torque 23.5 kgm (2,500-4,000 rpm), electric motor 136 horsepower, 32.6 kgm, and combined fuel efficiency is 15.0 km/ℓ (city 14.8, highway 15.2).
The combined maximum output is 245 horsepower, which is 10 horsepower more than the competition. In addition, the curb weight of the hybrid-based Grand Koleos is 1735~1750kg, the Sorento is 1820~1935kg, and the Santa Fe is 1930~2025kg, so the difference in curb weight based on the full package is significant at 185~275kg. For this reason, the movement is relatively light.
The size of the car feels relatively compact from the driver’s seat. There are various reasons for this, such as the location of the driver’s seat, the size of the greenhouse, and the setting of the bonnet. However, the psychological burden of the car body size is small, so it is less burdensome for those who are not good at driving. The field of view from the driver’s seat is good.
The noise and vibration when stopped are quite impressive. The noise and vibration that enters the cabin when the engine is running is the smallest among mass-produced cars. Even when I listened closely, I missed the engine starting point. The battery capacity is 1.64kWh (Sorento 1.49), which is slightly larger. Also, unlike Hyundai and Kia, 2 motors are used.
Renault Korea explains that 75% electric driving in urban areas is one of the characteristics of the 2-motor system, as one powerful electric motor can transmit power while the other can charge electricity. The 2-motor system is not always superior, but Hyundai-Kia’s next-generation hybrid uses the 2-motor system.
The ride quality in everyday driving is on the soft side. The soft setup basically delivers a somewhat strong tension in terms of roll suppression. On the other hand, since front and rear pitching is surprisingly allowed, there is a lot of movement in situations where strong acceleration and deceleration are repeated. Also, the movement in cornering situations is good.
The driving feel in cornering is well-balanced. As a model aimed at the European market, it seems that they put a lot of effort into the relatively low center of gravity and front-rear weight distribution. On the other hand, the grip of the OE tires is significantly lacking in both longitudinal and lateral grip. It is recommended to replace them with summer tires that have good grip and efficiency.
The quietness is good at high speeds. The NVH performance is excellent, but since the competing cars are not lacking, it is not a big advantage. The quietness when the engine is running is better in the Grand Koleos. On roads with repeated rough surfaces, the sensation transmitted from the lower body is poor, so improvement is needed.
ADAS systems are actively involved in steering. The operating conditions for changing to a car are sometimes unclear. The overall level of completion is above average. Particularly impressive is the latest version of automatic parking, which recognizes not only spaces but also parking lines. Now, it has reached the level of whether or not you trust the machine.
Grand Koleos shows a distinctly different look from Renault Korea’s existing car production. Renault Korea has adjusted the latest system of Geely to Volvo and Geely’s CMA platform. The differentiated design, excellent paint finish, and Renault’s unique sensibility partially convey the feeling of driving an imported car.
