IT will never be a darling of the chic Renault set like the trending 4 and 5, but Austral has been given another season to try and reel in the punters, now with more contemporary looks and boosted refinement.
Being one of arguably seven SUVs in Renault’s line-up doesn’t help the sensibly-sized Austral stand out from the crowd.
But Renault likes to call this “choice”, not overkill.
Bosses swear blind their SUVs don’t compete with each other but rather complement.
Regardless of Gallic spin, we do agree that choice is a good thing.
Austral is the last Renault to receive the brand’s latest design language, and with that it is ultimately a facelift of the 2022 car rather than an all-new motor.
The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off.
Cleaner, edgier, more posh.
As a full-hybrid – that’s one without a plug – it’s capable of taking you up to 683 miles on one tank of gas thanks to its frugal 1.2-litre turbo engine, pair of electric motors and diddy 2kWh battery, which combine to deliver out a brilliant 58mpg. It also does it with notably more comfort than before.
The mega comfy new seats are a revelation here. Love at first sit.
Sound insulation has been significantly bolstered to deliver decently hushed progress.
And the upgraded gearbox and suspension dial out the sub-premium edges of the older model’s ride and handling – despite my test car rocking the big new 20in alloy rims option.
It also comes loaded with the full Google suite, including Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice control, with handy over-the-air software updates through the 12in portrait touchscreen so things can only get better yet.
While there is only one automatic powertrain available there will be three trim levels from launch that starts with the £35k Techno.
The line-up tops out with the £39k Iconic Esprit Alpine.
Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist
That’s pretty decent pricing for a decently efficient, decent looking, decently tech’d-up SUV that will take 527 litres of family junk in the trunk.
Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist.
KEY FACTS: RENAULT AUSTRAL E-TECH
- Price: £35,000
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol hybrid
- Power: 200hp
- 0-62mph: 8.4 secs
- Top speed: 111mph
- Economy: 58mpg
- Co2: 109g/km