Renault Austral

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Iconic Esprit Alpine
Score: 7.4 / 10
“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.”
Author: Trinity Francis
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Renault Austral’s bang-up-to-date infotainment works really well, while the level of kit on offer for the monthly outlay is certainly competitive. However, practicality is acceptable rather than class-leading and the way the Austral drives – its ride in particular – means it’s just a little behind those at the sharp end of the sector.”
Author: Max Adams, Sean Carson
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Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Renault’s mid-size Austral hybrid SUV is good looking, packs some clever touches and proves very good on fuel.” (Erin Baker)
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Iconic Esprit Alpine
Score: 7 / 10
“The Renault Austral follows the Mazda CX-60 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 in being a car that’s quite likeable for its creditable attempts at innovation with clever tech but falls down because of just one or two fatal flaws. For many drivers and families, the Austral E-Tech will tick a great many boxes, which makes it frustrating that it can’t finish the job with fit-for-purpose chassis tuning.” (Illya Verpraet)
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Model reviewed: E-Tech Iconic Esprit Alpine
Score: 6 / 10
“A lumpenness to the secondary ride in the Renault Austral is a shame because it lets down an otherwise interesting and not unappealing package.”
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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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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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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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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Austral is a mid-size SUV that features a smart cabin and hybrid-only power options, but it’s got its work cut out against some high-class competition.”
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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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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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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.”
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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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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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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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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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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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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.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“On-paper efficiency aside, the Austral is beaten in almost every other key family SUV metric by the Kia Sportage. Its hybrid gearbox is frustratingly slow, too.”
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