The Austral, Renault's mid-sized SUV, makes good use of Hybrid tech and has smartened up its act in this updated form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Renault's become a popular Hybrid brand, so it makes sense that this is the form in which we get the marque's sleek-looking C-segment SUV, the Austral, here usefully improved. It's a rather interesting mid-sized all-rounder.
Background
Originally launched back in 2022, Renault's Austral was the first in a fresh wave of SUVs from this re-emerging Gaelic brand. To start with, the Austral wasn't expected to appear in the UK market. This mid-sized SUV was the company's replacement for the uninspiring Kadjar, which had failed to make much impression on segment sales favourites ranging from the Nissan Qashqai at one end of the mainstream mid-size SUV class to Volkswagen's Tiguan at the other.
The Austral hasn't sold in large numbers either, but that's partly because its sales here are restricted to a single full hybrid petrol drivetrain - which continues with this facelifted model, launched in Spring 2025. Let's take a closer look at the Austral Full hybrid E-Tech.
Engines and Tech Spec
As before, the Austral comes with just a single engine option. It's a full hybrid E-Tech 200hp system based around a turbocharged 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol unit, a clutchless five-speed auto gearbox and two electric motors. This is based, as before, on an electrified CMF-CD version of the CMF-C platform that underpins the closely-related rival Nissan Qashqai. And this powertrain spirits this mid-sized SUV to 62mph in 8.4s. Changes made as part of this update include new dampers, supposed to provide a flatter ride around the bends. Renault has also worked on refinement, revising the engine mounts, improving the door seals and adding more soundproofing beneath the bonnet.
As with all full-Hybrids, the tiny size of the non-plug-in system battery means you won't go very far on EV power alone, but that's not really the point of HEVs, which instead use battery charge to enable to cut in and out more frequently in urban driving. A more unusual touch for a full-Hybrid in this class is the availability (at the very top of the range) of 4-wheel Steering. The '4CONTROL' system in question comes with a more sophisticated multi-link rear axle and at low speeds, the rear wheels turn by up to 5 degrees to facilitate a smaller turning circle - at just 10.1m, it's around the same as that of a Clio supermini. We can't see many Austral customers stretching for a version with this expensive feature fitted though.
Design and Build
The visual changes here go a little beyond the normal scope of a facelift. The bonnet and grille are new, as is the front bumper, which now features small embossed 3D diamonds scattered around the central logo. The more angular trapezoidal LED headlights now get a more distinctive illuminating signature and Adaptive LED Vision tech as standard.
The Austral now looks more distinctive at the rear too, where the upper and central sections of the tailgate gain more elegant lines. The original model's E-badging after the Austral name on the boot lid has been removed. And the Renault logo no longer protrudes from the bodywork surface. When the rear lights are on, they take the shape of a square cut into seven pieces, apparently inspired by Chinese tangram puzzles. When turned off, they have been styled to resemble 'floating ice cubes'.
You'll be less likely to notice the update changes inside, where the improvements are limited to a redesign for the front seats. They gain thicker bolstering with enhanced natural and shoulder support; plus smarter upholstery, which with 'techno' trim sees the use of 98% recycled 'Egee' fabric. There are no changes to the digital dashboard set-up, which sees a 12.3-inch instrument panel combined with a 12-inch 'OpenR' infotainment screen. The latter runs the Android system used in the electric Megane and it works as effectively here. Surrounding all the displays is a quality of trim and finish that you might even be tempted to call 'premium' if you didn't already know you were sitting in a Renault. All models also get a 9.3-inch head-up display and a sliding centre console armrest.
Rear seat space isn't exceptional, but it's class-competitive and a couple of adults will be reasonably comfortable, aided by a sliding bench base. The boot capacity - rated at 527-litres (or 657-litres loaded to the roof) - is at the lower end of what you might hope for in this class, but it's better than what you'd get from a Ford Kuga Hybrid and will probably be satisfactory for most customers. Fold the rear backrest and luggage capacity extends to 1,736-litres.
Market and Model
As before, prices for this Austral E-Tech full hybrid sit in the £35,000-£40,000 bracket and customers can choose from well-equipped trim levels - 'techno', 'techno esprit Alpine' and 'iconic esprit Alpine'. We've already mentioned quite a few of the equipment features in our 'Design' section but here we'll brief you on what else you can expect.
The 'techno' trim level gives you most of what you'd need, including 19-inch 'Komah' alloy wheels, matrix LED vision headlights, mirage-effect rear LED lights, flush roof bars, a shark fin antenna, surround parking sensors with a rear-view camera, and a hands-free key card with keyless entry. As with all Austral E-Tech full hybrid models, the cabin boasts a frameless automatic rear-view mirror and automatic dual-zone air conditioning with an air purifier. Plus, the 12-inch 'OpenR' multimedia centre screen has a range of Google services built-in, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play store. Two front and two rear USB ports ensure connectivity with the 8-speaker Arkamys audio system.
The 'techno esprit Alpine' trim level goes further with its 20-inch 'Daytona' alloy wheels, 'esprit Alpine' detailing and 'black esprit Alpine' carbon fabric and Alcantara upholstery with blue stitching. Plus there's heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an electric power tailgate, electric driver and front passenger seats with a massage function, traffic & speed sign recognition with overspeed prevention, and adaptive cruise control with lane centring.
At the top of the range, the 'iconic esprit Alpine' flagship version further adds '4CONTROL' 4-wheel steering, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 360-degree Around View 3D camera, a panoramic sunroof and a wireless phone charging station. Safety-wise across the line-up, Renault is offering up to 30 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including hill start assist, distance warning alert, emergency lane keep assist, an automatic emergency braking system, driver attention alert, traffic & speed sign recognition and cruise control with speed limiter.
Cost of Ownership
Obviously, not being able to plug this Austral in means it's not going to go very far on battery power. The 1.7kWh pack in question is, like most full-Hybrids, there to cut in and out at low-to-medium speeds and obviously does a pretty good job because the combined fuel cycle figure - up to 60.1mpg - is pretty noteworthy, allowing for up to 683 miles of driving range. The CO2 reading - up to 106g/km - is even better, class-leading in fact. We should probably have expected this. Renault were good at this technology when it was based around the ancient 1.6-litre four cylinder engine used in Hybrid versions of the Clio, the Captur and the Arkana. Using the same tech with a more modern 1.2-litre unit, as the Austral does, was only ever going to yield a good result.
Of course, official figures are one thing; actual day-to-day returns are another and mindful of this, Renault has provided a variety of e-driving tools to enable Austral E-Tech Hybrid drivers to get as close as possible to the stated readings. As you drive, you'll need to keep a close eye on the central dial, keeping its needle as often as possible in the 'Charge' rather than the 'Power' section. You'll also want to make use of the provided EV drive mode. This is for slow town traffic and when activated, it prioritises battery-electric drive up to about 27mph, providing there's sufficient charge. Renault reckons that it should be possible for an Austral E-Tech Hybrid owner to drive around town at low speeds in all-electric mode for 80% of the time. On the open road, remember to switch the auto gear lever to its 'B' position so that you can maximise regenerative brake energy harvesting and so preserve battery charge.
Summary
'Austral', a name which apparently evokes 'images of wide-open Southern spaces and endless possibilities', makes about as much sense as the 'Kadjar' badge on this Renault's predecessor model ever did. And about as much sense as Renault's claimed desire with this car to 're-conquest the SUV C-segment'. That would have been a stretch with the complete Austral engine line-up that's offered in other countries; and it clearly isn't going to happen with just this single plumply-priced Hybrid powerplant on offer to UK customers. Even with the useful package of mid-term updates we've been looking at here.
Still, get beyond Renault's rhetoric and there are things you might really like here. Good looks, a plush-feeling cabin, strong media tech and the low taxation that comes with class-leadingly-low emissions. Your Renault dealer's finance options will probably be sharply competitive and you might even be attracted by the thought of electrification that doesn't require you to plug your car in. A decade or so ago, the Austral would have been a volume model line for Renault. Now, for the right kind of customer, it remains a rather interesting left-field choice. And still a rather appealing one at that.
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