I don't know why Renault tries to market the Koleos as a rugged, earthy 4x4. In advertisements, we see the Koleos driving through rivers, splashing mud on an unsuspecting Alfa Romeo owner... but it's all a bit of a gimmick. Heaven knows a Koleos will never see the rough side of a dirt track. But that doesn't stop marketing spin.

Which is a shame, because the Koleos itself, once freed from the hype and spin, is a very honest car. By that, I mean, it is quite unpretentious and a quiet achiever. First off, unlike some of the latest 4x4 efforts from some Japanese manufacturers (X-Trail, CR-V, I'm talking about you), the Koleos actually looks quite pleasant. Sure, the front end will never be pretty like a Volkswagen Tiguan or a Volvo XC60, but the overall shape of the Koleos is sufficiently elegant. It doesn't try to look tough - it's just focussed on being a pleasant car. In that respect, it succeeds, and not just in terms of exterior styling.

The interior of the Koleos is most definitely a highlight. The plastics feel soft and supple, yet durable, the design is chic and functional (reminds me a bit of a Volvo, without the gimmicky "floating centre console) and the use of colour here (particularly in the Privelige model) is as good as I have seen on any car, in any price range. It's just a nice place to be. The seats are brilliantly comfy, and there are great little ledges, storage pockets, and other neat touches that make you smile from ear to ear. It really is, very well thought out - you only need to glance at the brochure to sense this. Even the dual hinged tailgate (a "clam-shell" type) can act as a loadbearing seat for about two people (rated at up to 200kg). Neat touch, you have to say - and it's not a gimmick. I've tried it, and it really does feel sturdy.

4x4s are never very sporty to drive, but Koleos doesn't try to be. It remains comfortable and quiet at all times, and keeps the handling nice and predictable. It doesn't try to be anything it's not. But of course, no car is perfect. The petrol engine is weak and high-revving, which is detrimental to fuel economy, so the diesel is the one to choose here. And even then, if you choose the automatic, power and torque take a big hit. Definitely investigate engine and transmission combinations if you're thinking of buying this car. Add to that the less-than-perfect reliability record of Renault - they say they've investing bazillions of dollars in achieving high quality and reliability standards, but do you trust that? They're marketing department is only capable of gimmicks, after all. But the interior does appear well made, so time will tell if it holds up well. But the Koleos isn't a gimmick. It deserves to sell well, and give Renault some badly needed success in Australia.

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Renault Koleos