In the near past, the Renault Koleos and Nissan X-Trail shared a platform and engine, highlighting a robust partnership between the French and Japanese automakers. However, this collaboration faced significant challenges in the last decade, particularly following the scandal involving former CEO Carlos Ghosn, who was arrested in 2018 and later made headlines for his dramatic escape in 2021. As the alliance also includes Mitsubishi, it seemed to be nearing its end as internal disputes loomed over the companies.

Recent leadership changes within these automakers may reverse the downward trend in their partnership, but the ramifications of decisions made during times of internal strife will be felt globally for the next few years. This is illustrated by the recent arrival of new models in Brazil, which have been developed independently from each other. The Koleos now shares its platform with the Chinese Geely Monjaro, which also serves as the base for Volvo models, marking a shift away from the previous shared framework with the X-Trail.

The new Renault Koleos measures 4.78 meters in length and features a hybrid setup that includes a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine along with two electric motors, one of which acts as a generator for the battery. Altogether, this hybrid system produces an impressive 245 horsepower, showcasing a significant evolution in the vehicle's design and technology compared to its predecessor, as both companies strive to carve their own distinct paths in a competitive automotive market.