Name: Renault Austral (2023 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Renault Austral
Rating: 67.0

Summary

The Renault Austral is a mid-size family SUV that arrived in the UK in 2023. Only available as a petrol-electric hybrid at launch, the Austral is the successor to the discontinued Kadjar crossover.

The Austral has received a mixed set of reviews from the UK motoring media. Reviewers largely conclude that the SUV is a economical and high-tech family car that is certainly worth a test drive, but its gearbox lets it down. “It can be sluggish to respond and dampens the Austral’s performance somewhat”, explains Carbuyer‘s Tom Jervis.

Many outlets also comment that the Austral isn’t a very exciting addition to the crowded medium SUV class. It’s described as “just another Nissan Qashqai alternative” by Tom Wiltshire of Car, while other reviewers point out that it’s beaten hands-down by the likes of the Kia Sportage.

While it may not be a stand-out class-leader, The Sunday Times argues that this SUV is a “a vast leap forward for Renault”, that is “better to drive, more distinctive inside and more stylish outside, as well as being more efficient and considerably more high-tech” than the Kadjar model it replaces.

As of December 2025, the Renault Austral holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. It gets top marks for its low CO₂ emissions, while its safety rating and running costs are also good. However, Renault’s new car warranty coverage is only average and the Austral’s media review scores are poor.

More Renault Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Austral highlights

Well-built and practical interior
Relaxing and comfortable drive
Well-equipped as standard

Austral lowlights

Only one engine option
Rivals offer more driving excitement
Sluggish gearbox

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £34,695 on-road

Launched: Summer 2023
Last updated: Summer 2025
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Renault Austral enters a highly competitive SUV market. It ticks all the usual boxes but doesn’t really stand out in any one area.”

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Iconic Esprit Alpine

Score: 7.4 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

“The Renault Austral is an efficient hybrid SUV with a great interior – but alternatives are better to drive and more comfortable.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The latest Renault Austral is a family SUV defined by its tech, with a bang-up-to-date infotainment system that works really well, while the level of kit on offer for the monthly outlay is undoubtedly competitive. However, practicality is acceptable rather than class-leading and the way the Austral drives – its ride in particular – means it’s behind those at the sharp end of the sector.”
Author: Max Adams, Sean Carson
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: 2025 facelift range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Renault Austral has been updated with a blingy new grille, comfort upgrades and other design tweaks, building on what was already a smart, economical and well-equipped package. We enjoyed living with the pre-facelift Austral on long-term test, and this latest version is a worthy rival to the Nissan Qashqai.”
Author: Catherine King
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift (2022 – 2024) range
Score: 9 / 10
“Renault’s mid-size Austral hybrid SUV is good looking, packs some clever touches and proves very good on fuel.”
Author: Erin Baker
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid Esprit Alpine
Score: 7 / 10
“On first impressions, the Renault Austral is an attractive, innovative SUV that needs more dynamic work.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Renault Austral doesn’t excite. Despite headline features like that four-wheel steering or Alpine trim levels, this car is going to be just another Qashqai alternative. Every mainstream manufacturer needs one. It’s not a bad effort, though, and feels significantly more upmarket than the Kadjar it replaces.” (Tom Wiltshire)
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Renault Austral is a comfortable, spacious and hi-tech SUV that’s a big step up from the outgoing Kadjar.”
Author: Sean Carson, Andy Goodwin
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“”The Renault Austral handles tidily enough and on first impressions seems to ride pretty well. The four-wheel steering option makes it agile too. It’s a shame that the hybrid model doesn’t encourage sporty driving, then.” (Lawrence Allan)
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Honest John

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Austral isn’t a household name like some of its rivals, but it’s a better car than the old Kadjar. The cabin is a big step forward, the technology is impressive and the hybrid is exceptionally efficient – it’s just a shame the UK doesn’t get the cheaper petrols.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Practicality could be better, and the hybrid setup isn’t totally seamless, while we sense prices are set to take a jump. But, overall, the Renault Austral is an interesting new entrant in the family SUV class, which brings some welcome new tech and usability. It’s well worth a look.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Renault Austral a good family SUV with a great safety record and plenty of technology, even if it won’t set your pulse racing. Most importantly, it’s a huge step up over the old Kadjar and it promises to be affordable to run.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
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The Scotsman

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid Iconic Esprit Alpine
Score: 7 / 10
“The Renault Austral is a Qashqai rival that brings impressive efficiency and some unique technology in its bid to be a contender.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun

Model reviewed: Range overview
“the Austral will be easier on the eye than those cars to many and if Renault can get its monthly finance right there’s enough comfort, quality and good tech here to make it a worthy choice. Just leave it in Comfort mode if you do.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid Esprit Alpine Plus
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Austral is significantly better than the old Kadjar it replaces. It’s better to drive, more distinctive inside and more stylish outside, as well as being more efficient and considerably more high-tech. Overall, it’s a vast leap forward for Renault. It isn’t quite good enough to beat its rivals but it isn’t without its talents, and that should be enough to ensure it takes a respectable slice of the huge family SUV pie.” (James Fossdike)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre peetrol/electric hybrid Iconic Esprit
Score: 6 / 10
“While it has its high points, the main one being the efficient hybrid system, which has come of its own with the 1.2-litre engine, the Renault Austral is completely underwhelming in this class of virtually identical family SUVs. It’s OK but quite unexceptional, and the Alpine sub-branding doesn’t do much to lift it above the common herd.” (Andrew English)
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Renault Austral is well-trimmed, feels high-tech, and uses little fuel. If you want a hybrid crossover, it’s a good choice.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 87%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: E-Tech Hybrid 200 FWD Automatic

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: April 2023
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.5 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 5.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.9 / 10

Emissions testers Green NCAP comment that the Austral’s hybrid engine offers generally reasonable fuel consumption figures and that its “emissions are well and robustly controlled”, but the SUV needs significantly more energy to power its engine in very cold weather, which hinders its economy evaluation.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Hybrid models	60 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	107 g/km	A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	22	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£254	C
Year 2	£607	C
Year 3	£991	C
Year 4	£1,148	C
Year 5	£1,555	C
Overall	£4,555	C

The Renault Austral is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to five-year ownership data supplied exclusively to The Car expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is good for a large-ish family SUV, while insurance premiums should also be very competitive. Servicing costs over the car’s first five years are only average, however.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Renault Austral to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Austral, we’ll publish the results here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Renault Austral

Overall ratingC50%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Renault’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum, and falls short of many rivals. The duration is three years with a limit of 60,000 miles, while some other brands offer up to seven years.

In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Austral hybrid models have an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Renault Austral

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Renault Austral from an official Renault dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Renault Austral from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Renault Austral from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Renault Austral

Date: February 2024
Recall number: R/2024/038
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2022 to 11/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 3,620
Defect: When the easy access function is used on the front seats, they may move and come into contact with someone in the rear passenger seat, possibly causing injury.
Remedy: As a preventive measure, the remedy consists of updating the configuration files of the front seats’ computers.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there has been one DVSA vehicle safety recall on the Renault Austral. However, recall information is updated very regularly, so this may have changed.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Renault dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Austral, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.