YES, the SUV is simply not practical in Singapore, where the only places not covered with tarmac are the forest reserve or army training areas.

But tell that to the growing number of SUV owners.

Despite record-high petrol prices, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are all the rage, and the latest to enter the fray is Renault with its 2.5-litre Koleos.

Scheduled for a Singapore launch in the third quarter of this year, the Koleos is a very enticing package: French design, Japanese engineering thanks to Nissan, and Korean manufacture.

The car is built in Renault Samsung's plant in Busan, South Korea, and the build quality is high.

Good thing it has winning attributes from around the globe because it has many competitors at all points of the price range. Among them are the VW Tiguan, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Unlike many SUVs though, the Koleos is actually a capable off-roader.

We arrive at that conclusion after a day of bashing the car around Morocco's rough and ruddy mountainside and muddy, rutted dirt tracks.

Renault has pulled out all the stops in creating its first real 4x4. The Koleos may look soft with its gentle curves, but it has all the hardware and electronic wizardry for the job.

The engine is a trusty four-cylinder 2.5-litre found in the Nissan X-Trail. It churns out a relatively unambitious 170bhp but packs a whopping 226Nm of torque - great for hauling the five-seater up and down any terrain.

Its 4x4-I system can work in two-wheel-drive mode or in locked 4x4 mode. Left in auto mode, the engine sends 100 per cent of its torque to the front wheels but will distribute up to 50 per cent of it to the rear when it detects slip in the front.

Its off-road hardware has not compromised its ride comfort. Go on to the gravelly road shoulder and its 4x4-I and electronic stability program kicks in without missing a beat.

There is power, torque, grip and comfort off road. But how does it perform on paved roads?

The good news is that the car is amazingly smooth on tarmac. And quiet. The Japanese engine has plenty of torque even if it lacks high-end punch.

The car handles well, even over potholed sections of the Moroccan roads. The nicest surprise though is its build quality. In spite of the rutted tracks, the cloddy mud and less-than-perfect roads, the car held together like a Swiss watch.

Our verdict is still open because one crucial piece of the puzzle has not been slotted into place: the price.

Hopefully, with its Korean origin, the price will be competitive.

We do know that there will be at least two variants in Singapore: the entry-level two-wheel-drive to appeal to price-sensitive buyers, and the fully loaded 4x4.

Renault agent Wearnes Automotive will bring in the car with continuously variable transmission, instead of the four-speed auto tested.

RENAULT KOLEOS 4x4
Price: To be announced
Engine: 2,488cc 16-valve inline-4
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Power: 170bhp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 226Nm at 4,400rpm
0-100kmh: 9.3 seconds
Top speed: 185kmh
Fuel consumption: 9.9 litres/100km (city-highway)
Agent: Wearnes Automotive

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jun 7, 2008.