Renault Austral Review

The Renault Austral had a straightforward job from launch: replace the dated Kadjar with something that could compete properly in one of the toughest parts of the market. That meant not just matching rivals for practicality and efficiency, but also fixing the sense that Renault had fallen behind when it came to cabin quality, infotainment and general showroom appeal.

The good news is that the Austral did that from the start, and the 2025 facelift has helped it stay relevant. The exterior now aligns more closely with newer Renault models such as the Rafale, which gives the Austral a sharper and more cohesive look than before.

Under the skin, UK buyers now get a simpler range story than some older reviews suggest. There is no mild-hybrid or plug-in choice in the UK line-up. Instead, the Austral is sold here exclusively as a full hybrid E-Tech 200, which keeps the buying decision refreshingly straightforward.

That matters because the family SUV class is full of strong alternatives. The Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Karoq and Cupra Terramar all make a good case in different ways, while buyers in this part of the market are spoiled for choice.

The Austral’s reply is to major on technology, efficiency and ambience. The interior looks and feels far more expensive than the old Kadjar’s, the Google-based infotainment is among the better systems in the class and the hybrid powertrain delivers the kind of paper economy numbers that make company-car and high-mileage buyers pay attention.

Because every UK Renault Austral uses the same full hybrid E-Tech 200 powertrain, the main choice is trim rather than engine.

For most buyers, the best Renault Austral is the entry-level techno. It already brings the full twin-screen dashboard layout, Google built-in infotainment, all-round parking sensors, reversing camera, wireless charging and adaptive cruise control, which means it covers the essentials very well.

techno esprit Alpine adds a more assertive look along with useful upgrades such as the head-up display, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, powered driver’s seat and the more advanced adaptive cruise system. That makes it the trim that best balances desirability and cost.

iconic esprit Alpine sits at the top and brings the Harman Kardon audio, panoramic roof, 360-degree cameras and hands-free parking. It feels appropriately plush, but it is also the least value-focused version.

In simple terms, techno is the sensible buy, techno esprit Alpine is the sweet spot and iconic esprit Alpine is the luxury one.

The Renault Austral currently starts at £35,495 for the techno full hybrid E-Tech 200. techno esprit Alpine starts at £36,995, while iconic esprit Alpine rises to £38,995.

That means the Austral is no bargain-basement family SUV, especially because there is no cheaper petrol version in the UK to pull the entry price down. On the other hand, it does come well equipped, and the standard hybrid powertrain gives it a stronger efficiency story than many similarly priced petrol rivals.

Used values already make the Austral look more attractive. Nearly new examples can take a noticeable chunk out of the list price, and given how little the facelift changed mechanically, pre-facelift cars are worth considering if the spec is right.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the Austral’s clearest rivals if you want a family SUV with a more polished, mature feel. It has a stronger badge image with some buyers and a very rounded overall character, though it can get expensive quickly.

The Skoda Karoq is the rational alternative. It is practical, easy to live with and still one of the most sensible SUVs in this size class, even if it lacks the Renault’s more high-tech cabin feel.

The Cupra Terramar is the style-led option. It looks sharper and feels more overtly sporty than the Renault Austral, which will appeal if you want your family SUV to feel a little less conventional.

Beyond those three, the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 all deserve a look. The Renault Austral makes most sense if you want a family SUV that feels modern and efficient, but also a bit more design led and tech focused than the default class choices.

The Austral is a roomy, practical five-seater and does a convincing job of balancing family usability with a more stylish cabin design.

Up front, there is plenty of space, generous seat adjustment and a driving position that feels natural and SUV-like. Some broader drivers may find the wide centre console a little intrusive, but overall comfort is strong.

Rear-seat space is above average, particularly for legroom. The sliding bench is useful because it lets you juggle rear passenger space against luggage room, which gives the Austral a little more flexibility than some rivals.

Boot space depends on where that rear bench is set. With the seat slid fully back, the Austral offers 487 litres. Move it fully forward and capacity rises to 555 litres. In other words, it is a practical family SUV rather than a class-leading load lugger, but there is enough usefulness here for most buyers.

The Renault Austral measures 4,510mm long, 1,843mm wide & 1,644mm high. That makes it a touch larger than a Nissan Qashqai and places it squarely in the heart of the family SUV class.

In practical terms, it has the road presence and cabin space buyers expect here without feeling intimidatingly large. That helps it work well as an everyday family car rather than something that constantly feels too big for town use.

Infotainment is one of the Renault Austral’s big strengths. Every version gets Renault’s OpenR twin-screen layout, consisting of a 12-inch portrait touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display.

Crucially, the software is Google based, which makes it much easier to live with than many in-house systems. Google Maps integration is excellent, voice control works well and the menus are generally clear and responsive.

There are still a few fiddly touchscreen elements, but Renault has at least kept some physical and shortcut controls in the mix. That helps the Austral feel more usable day to day than some rivals that have gone all in on touch-sensitive minimalism.

The Renault Austral’s materials and finish are another big step forward over the Kadjar. Soft-touch trim, tasteful ambient lighting and a cleaner dashboard design all help it feel more expensive than many buyers may expect.

Higher trims do the best job of showing that off. Open-pore wood trim, Nappa leather and the more dramatic esprit Alpine treatments help lift the cabin towards premium-brand territory, even if there are still the odd cheaper bits lower down.

Every UK Renault Austral uses the same full hybrid E-Tech 200 powertrain. That combines a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with two electric motors and a small 2kWh battery for a total output of 200PS.

Performance is perfectly respectable for a family SUV. Renault quotes 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, which is brisk enough for everyday use without making the Austral feel particularly sporting.

The issue is not outright pace, but how the drivetrain delivers it. Driven gently, the Austral feels smooth and efficient. Ask for a burst of acceleration, though, and the multi-mode gearbox can feel slow-witted and a bit clumsy.

There is quite a lot to like about the Renault Austral on the move. The steering is direct and nicely weighted, the body stays reasonably well controlled and the car feels tidy enough for a family SUV.

The complication is that the current UK car no longer uses the same chassis setup as the earliest versions of the Austral. Four-wheel steering was withdrawn from the UK market during the 2025 facelift, and Renault also revised the suspension, so the old 4Control talking points no longer apply directly to today’s range.

Until we try the latest UK-spec suspension properly on British roads, the ride is the main unresolved area. Early impressions suggest the Austral is reasonably settled, but there were already hints of firmness before the facelift, and UK surfaces are a sterner test than the smooth roads of an international launch.

Refinement is generally good when the hybrid system is operating gently. At a cruise, the Austral is quiet enough, and Renault also added extra sound insulation with the facelift. Push harder, though, and the three-cylinder engine and gearbox combination become much more noticeable.

The Renault Austral earned a full five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2022, which remains a strong result for a family SUV.

Safety equipment is generous. Lane-keeping aids, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control are all part of the package, while higher trims add the more sophisticated lane-centering setup and other assistance features.

There are also three Isofix points in total, including one on the front passenger seat, which is a genuinely useful family detail.

Renault currently quotes up to 58.9mpg for the Austral full hybrid E-Tech 200, with CO2 emissions from 107g/km.

Those are strong numbers for a family SUV and help explain why the Austral looks appealing on paper next to many petrol-only rivals. Renault also quotes a total driving range of up to 683 miles.

In the real world, the exact figure will depend on your driving, but the Austral should still make a convincing case if you do a lot of mixed mileage and want hybrid efficiency without plugging in.

Renault’s manufacturer warranty is up to three years from first registration, with unlimited mileage in the first two years and a 60,000-mile cap in the third year.

That is adequate, but it does not stand out in a class where some rivals offer much longer cover. If warranty length is high on your priority list, Kia and Toyota remain hard to ignore.

Insurance groups for the Renault Austral range from 21 to 24, depending on trim.

That should keep the car within reasonable family-SUV territory rather than pushing it into the pricier brackets some hybrids and EVs now occupy.

The Renault Austral now costs £200 a year in VED after year one, which is the current standard annual rate for petrol and hybrid cars.

The Expensive Car Supplement for petrol and hybrid cars applies only if list price is more than £40,000. The Austral currently stays below that threshold in standard form, but the upper trims come close enough that it remains worth checking carefully if prices rise or the spec changes. If they do go over this, you'll have to pay an extra £440 currently from years two to six.