Renault Australia

The competitive and influential European C-SUV segment has led all manufacturers to see it as a significant profit opportunity. Compact SUVs have managed to position themselves at the top of the sales charts. Renault arrived late to the game, offering a product that will soon be replaced by the Renault Austral . This newly created model will make its debut in early March 2022. In the spring of 2025, it will receive a minor aesthetic, technological, and mechanical update.

We have tested this car:

Test Renault Austral Esprit Alpine hybrid 200 CV (with video)

With a name that breaks with the usual naming conventions of its models, the Renault Austral replaces the Renault Kadjar , which failed to live up to expectations. The Austral embodies the French automaker's new philosophy , first introduced with the Renault Mégane E-TECH , the all-electric compact car. However, the Renault Austral isn't limited to just electric vehicles; it offers a variety of powertrain options within its range.

Technical characteristics of the Renault Austral

Renault Australia

Due to its size, the Austral fits perfectly within Renault's SUV lineup, being larger than a Renault Captur and smaller than a Renault Koleos . Its closest competitor is the Renault Arkana , although unlike the Arkana, it lacks the distinctive coupé styling. Beneath its bodywork, the new C-SUV hides the CMF-CD3 platform , allowing for a wide range of mechanical and technological options.

This platform is the same one used by the manufacturer in its compact models, and can also be found in other vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai . Externally, it measures 4,53 meters long, 1,83 meters wide, and 1,62 meters high . These dimensions are complemented by a wheelbase of 2,67 meters, allowing for a cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers. Three of these five occupants sit on a generously sized rear bench seat, the width of which limits the comfort of three adults on long journeys.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Renault Austral offers a minimum trunk volume of 500 liters, expandable to 575 liters thanks to a longitudinally adjustable rear bench seat . The figures for the hybrid version are reduced, offering a minimum of 430 liters, which can be increased to 555 liters by sliding the rear bench seat all the way forward. With the rear seats folded down completely, the capacity reaches a maximum of 1.525 liters.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Renault Austral

Thanks to its next-generation platform, the Renault Austral boasts a versatile and adaptable powertrain range . The lineup will initially consist exclusively of hybrid versions with an ECO label, excluding plug-in hybrids. From 2025 onwards, the major change is the elimination of purely combustion-engine engines. Only ECO-labeled hybrid units paired with automatic transmissions that send all power to the front axle will be available.

These models change names depending on the hybrid system they incorporate. The range starts with the 150-horsepower Austral mild-hybrid, which has the DGT's ECO label. This model isn't capable of 100% electric driving, or at least not for as long as the 200-horsepower Austral full hybrid, which also has the same environmental rating. This model offers up to 5 kilometers of electric range in urban driving with a combined fuel consumption of just 4,7 liters per 100 kilometers (WLTP).

Equipment of the Renault Austral

Inside, the new Austral boasts a refreshed look. Renault aims to enhance the quality of its models by offering modern and well-equipped interiors. The brand's new compact SUV improves upon the dimensions offered by the now-discontinued Kadjar . The choice of materials allows for leather-trimmed surfaces with varied trim. The feel is very pleasant thanks to soft-touch elements that enhance the sense of comfort.

As is customary at Renault, the technological offerings are distributed across several trim levels: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine . Each trim level offers varying equipment, and aesthetic changes also occur depending on the trim, ranging from a more understated and basic look to a sportier one with wheels up to 20 inches.

The Renault Austral boasts a comprehensive equipment package, offering attractive features such as a 12-inch multimedia screen with OpenR software, a modified version of the Android Automotive system that includes Google Maps as standard. The vertically oriented screen will house all the vehicle's functions. It will be complemented by a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and numerous other systems, including a wide range of driver assistance and safety features.

Renault Austral video test

The Renault Austral according to Euro NCAP

Renault has always been a brand deeply committed to the safety of its models; the French automaker pioneered the five-star Euro NCAP rating. At the end of 2022, the safety organization evaluated the Renault Austral's durability in its standard tests, awarding the SUV its highest possible score . The results by category are as follows: 88 out of 100 for adult occupant protection, 83 out of 100 for child occupant protection, 69 out of 100 for pedestrian vulnerability, and 87 out of 100 for driver assistance systems. These ratings remain valid following the mid-2025 update.

Rivals of the Renault Austral

As we've already mentioned, the C-SUV segment has established itself as the most important in the European market. This means the Renault Austral will face stiff competition, as was the case with the Kadjar some time ago . Its most prominent rivals include the Hyundai Tucson , KIA Sportage , SEAT Ateca , Nissan Qashqai , Ford Kuga , Citroën C5 Aircross , Peugeot 3008 , Opel Grandland , and many more. All are similar in size and price, although the Renault is one of the few that offers a hybrid approach across its entire range.

Highlight

Design
Equipment
habitability

To improve

No diesel versions
basic equipment
No 4×4 drive

Price of the Renault Austral

With the Austral, Renault aims to attract an increasingly common customer in Europe: those looking for an SUV with a hybrid powertrain, a favorable environmental rating, and a reasonable price. The Renault Austral starts at €33.008, excluding offers or promotions . This price corresponds to a model with the Evolution trim and a 150-horsepower mild hybrid engine. The most expensive in the lineup is the Austral Esprit Alpine with a 200-horsepower hybrid engine. Its price starts at €41.272, also excluding offers or promotions.