So what do you all think of the incoming new MINI SUV.....????

[Tedhaggie]

Isn't the Koleos built on the same Chassis/engine/transmission as the Xtrail and even uglier??

[Transporter]

Isn't the Koleos built on the same Chassis/engine/transmission as the Xtrail and even uglier??

It is and for that reason, one should forget about the looks and get XTrail, much less problems with the spare parts and servicing.

[Arctra]

I'm thinking of getting the Renault Koleos for the wife (we're expecting first baby).

Did anyone compare the Tig with the Koleos?

Yeah, it was a serious contender when I was looking. See the thread I started on it here: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f97/...ghlight=koleos

I was actually really impressed with it when I test drove it, and I have to say I found the dealer to be very good with following up with my questions, and generally being very polite. I have seen several on the roads and my opinion on how they look really swings depending on the colour. Some of them look horrible, while otehrs sometimes look nice. Wierd.

A couple of issues there .... #1 its French and they are notorious for making the worst cars out there from a reliability point of view.

#2 depreciation on the Renault would be huge compared to a Tig.

#3 no other small SUV currently on sale will drive as nice a Tig.

For a the most reliable alternative small SUV with a suitable boot go the current RAV4. Enough space for mothers and babies.

Your point #1 may be valid for anything in the cabin and bodywork, but platform-wise it is basically an X-Trail. So mechanically it is pretty established really.
Your point #2 is very valid and a reason that contributed to me not getting one. To an extent your point #3 is correct too, but I think you have a much keener eye for detail when it comes to handling than most. I gave the Koleos a decent workout in my test drive and it was not too far off the Tiguan TDI at all.
I could not agree more on the "rather go for a RAV4" sentiment. I keep thinking that if the worst were to happen and my Tig was to be totalled, I would probably end up with a RAV4 simply because I would be able to take delivery of what I want nearly immediately rather than have to wait 6 or more months for the Tig. First time around what I wanted was in stock so it helped selling it to me - and I have been happy since.

Isn't the Koleos built on the same Chassis/engine/transmission as the Xtrail and even uglier??

As I said above, the looks seem to be very subjective and changeable. Chassis wise, because it is an X-Trail it is a little time tested which helps it in the reliability stakes IMO.

Someone also mentioned that teh Koleos was the "best" offroader in the magazine test of compact SUV's. If you read the article carefully, you'll notice that there is a massive caveat with it - basically it is the best of a pretty poor bunch, and they certainly weren't singing it's offroading praises. It's also not clear from the article whether the Tig they tested had offroad pack - I suspect it did not. Also, with their bogging down issues, I seriously question whether they had set their tyre pressures on ANY of the vehicles properly. Anyway, regardless of that, the X-Trail has had problems with it's centre diff/gearbox (which is a propriatry Nissan technology, not like the Tig's Haldex) overheating really quickly (like, within 5 minutes of being on soft sand) and disengaging. When that happens it is to protect the diff and turns the "all wheel drive" into a simple two wheel drive. If you're not going to offroad you're fine, but if you go for the Koleos for it's offroading ability you may be disappointed. It seems the best for true offroading is actually the Suzuki - and I believe Suzuki and VW have signed an agreement to share technology now, so technically the Grand Vitara is not a VW cousin.

[sh|tbmxrider]

Here's the review of it:
Similarly priced to the UK Tiguan but doesn't have the clearance of the Tig.
Plus you have less power on tap.
Also the interior (mainly the centre) looks like an alien spaceship, especially the speedo which wouldn't be safe here imho.

it looks the same as a normal mini?

Even down to the speedo in the centre...

If putting the speedo in the centre was dangerous, why arent there stacks of smashed up minis, yaris', xtrail, old alfa gtv's etc...