Koleos, a Greek word that refers to a small creature that has wings, is

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Renault’s brand-builder for the Indian market. The car has been launched with a good year to go for its smaller sibling – the under Rs 10-lakh Duster SUV to hit the Indian roads. So will the Rs 25 lakh Koleos appeal to Indian buyers who usually look for mean SUVs with class?

At first glance, you are sure to be impressed. Koleos sports a very trendy look, in keeping with the French company’s design DNA. The sharp front exterior with a modern, glitzy chrome grill that protrudes forward gives an impression that the car is in motion even when its still. The lights are spliced with darkish shade in the corners. The huge alloy wheels make it look all the more appealing.

The sides, however, are bland. There’s no chrome on the doors – you’d expect that in an expensive car. The side profile, in fact, may remind you of the old Hyundai Tucson SUV -- which, incidentally, failed to make an impact in the Indian market. Perhaps, it is with a reason. Renault may have designed Koleos but it’s developed by its alliance partner Nissan and is manufactured in South Korea (Hyundai, of course, is South Korean).

I didn’t have to read to know that the Japanese Nissan developed Koleos. I saw traces of Japanese trademarks even before. The materials used in the car are definitely of good quality, but attention to detailing of the dashboard, the gear knob and the controls is missing. The dashboard opener in beige-grey mix doesn’t look premium at all — a straight lift, if any, from Nissan’s lower priced cars. Its music system display is off the mark, to say the least. Honda CR-V, Chevy’s Captiva, and, of course, the BMW X1 give you the all important chrome, gleamy speed-dials, and plush leather upholstery, making you feel like a king.

Even if you could take that lapse in your stride, Koleos 2.0 litre diesel engine is as weak as it comes in a SUV: C’mon, SUVs are meant for flying on the highway! Koleos is surely meek in front of the 3.0 litre Fortuner and Endea­vour diesels. Thus, Koleos, for most part, feels like a large hatchback – it can only seat five, btw. The car’s underpinnings, including the handling, suspension and the build quality, are firm. But wish it had that SUV grunt. Besides, the car is light and potholes - big or small - take its toll.

One of Koleos’ USPs is its Bose sound system that the company claims is not found on any other car in its category. Bose speakers, if fed with some multiple-instrument music, prove their best, almost going to the extent of enlightening your senses. Every sound and every instrument is heard crystal clear making you feel extremely groovy at higher speeds. The other unique feature in the car is its two-fold opening boot – it opens up in two parts from the middle! This will keep heavy luggage from sliding.

(The car was provided by Renault India for test drive)

saahilanant@mydigitalfc.com