2023 Renault Koleos facelift revealed in South Korea, not coming to Australia

The 2023 Renault Koleos has been updated in South Korea – with a new look, upgraded technology and extra features – but an Australian launch is not planned for the time being.

The revised model in South Korea – where it is sold as the QM6, with unique Renault Korea Motors badges – is the second major 'facelift' for the Koleos since the current model went on sale in 2016.

However, it is not slated for Australian showrooms – where the Koleos now competes with an all-new version of its twin under the skin, the Nissan X-Trail.

The company has said the current model will "remain unchanged" for the next two years – pending an unforeseen change of plans. However, chances of a next-generation model hang under a cloud.

"It continues as-is ... at the moment we know production will run through this year, and through next year. After that, we don't know," Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey told local media last month.

This would not be the first Koleos update to skip Australia – a new grille design introduced in South Korea in 2020 never made it to local showrooms. Australia's last major Koleos update arrived in 2019.

The latest facelift for the Renault Koleos in South Korea introduces a new front bumper with restyled air intakes, a wider front grille, new lower front and rear skid plates, and tweaks to the LED headlight graphics.

There are also new 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheel designs, and what could be a new purple exterior colour.

Inside, the touchscreen has been enlarged to 9.3 inches – up from 8.7 inches – with updated software incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation, voice control, and a range of South Korean-market apps.

Top-of-the-range models with nappa leather upholstery are now available in olive green – in addition to black or tan – while other additions include a 65-watt rear USB-C power port (enough to charge a laptop), an air purifier, and a "front seat LED sterilisation module".

Joining the model range in South Korea is a two-seat commercial-van version of the Koleos, known as the QM6 Quest, which swaps the rear seats for a divider behind the front row and an open cargo area with 1413 litres of load space, and a 300kg payload.

The two-seat Koleos 'van' – which is fitted with a digital rear-view mirror for visibility when the vehicle is full – is highly unlikely to be sold in Australia.

The 2023 Renault Koleos goes on sale in South Korea this month, however it is not slated for Australia.