Head-to-Head: 2016 Renault Koleos vs Nissan X-Trail T32 2.5 AWD

Platform sharing is not an uncommon practice in the automotive world today, and it should come as no surprise that the all-new Renault Koleos launch today shares common underpinnings with the latest Nissan X-Trail T32.

The CMF platform underneath both cars is a joint development of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and is meant to underpin a wide range of vehicles for both brands. Much like Volkswagen’s MQB and Volvo’s SPA, the Renault-Nissan CMF architecture employs a modular approach and is scalable to accommodate a multitude of sizes and applications. If indeed Renault decides to CKD the Koleos in Malaysia, it can be built off the same production line as the X-Trail.

One might then wonder if the Koleos is little more than a rebadge of the X-Trail, but as we dive into key differences between the two products, it becomes clear that there is much that differentiates between these two SUVs that incidentally compete within the same market space.

1.Pricing: Owing to its CBU status, the Koleos (RM178k) is pricier than the locally-assembled X-Trail (RM164k). Fully speccing up the Nissan with all the accessories on offer, however, pushes its price perilously close to the Renault’s, but it is worth highlighting that whatever you get in the Koleos is factory fitted. Things like Impul bodykits and TCAT multimedia units which you can order with the X-Trail are locally-sourced accessories fitted by the dealership.

2.Body Size: The two models occupy similarly-sized footprints. They sit on identical 2,705mm wheelbases, but the Koleos stretches slightly longer on overall length, measuring 4,672mm against the X-Trail’s 4,640mm. The Koleos also happens to sit lower (1,678 vs 1,715mm) and wider (1,843 vs 1,820mm) than the X-Trail. Fuel tank sizes are identical, however, and the Renault is lighter than the Nissan by a mere kilogram (1,611 vs 1,612kg)

3.Cabin Space: Renault offers the Koleos only as a five seater, whilst the X-Trail seats seven. With its third row seats folded, the X-Trail matches the Koleo’s cargo capacity of 550 litres. All seats down, however, the Renault edges the contest, offering 1,690 litres of cargo room compared to the Nissan’s 1,520 litres.

4.Specifications: Both the Koleos and X-Trail operate the same 2.5-litre QR25DE four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine with port fuel injection and dual variable valve timing. The X-Tronic continuously variable transmission is also common between both models, but for our market, the Koleos drives only the front wheels whilst the X-Trail drives all four. Both manufacturers quote identical power outputs of 171PS, but Nissan claims higher torque of 233Nm compared to the Renault’s more modest 226Nm.

5.Features: Equipment levels of both the Koleos and X-Trail are competitive. The X-Trail is notable for offering a 360-degree all-round view camera system which is not offered in the Koleos. Nissan also made much fuss about the X-Trail’s active chassis control system which Renault made no mention of in the Koleos. Not that Renault does not have its own aces up its sleeve however – the Koleos has LED headlamps and a more advanced factory-fitted R-Link 2 infotainment system with 3D Arkamys sound. More importantly, Renault proved more generous with safety, offering the Koleos with six airbags compared to just two with the X-Trail.