WIZARD OF AUS? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

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 Reviewword count: 35

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.

Backgroundword count: 122

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 Specword count: 240

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.

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