Renault Austral: After the success of the Qashqai-based Kadjar, Renault is taking another shot at the family SUV market. The Austral is the new model, and while it shares the same platform as the current-generation Qashqai, it shares significantly less with the Japanese crossover than its predecessor did. So, does the French SUV have what it takes to beat the Qashqai at its own game and challenge the Hyundai Tucson’s sales dominance?
Renault Austral is the successor to Renault Kadjar. This new car is technologically advanced and attractive. The new Renault Austral SUV is an actual C-segment car. According to Renault, it measures 4.51 meters long, 2.67 meters wide, 1.83 meters long, and 1.61 meters wide. It weighs 1373 kg and can carry 500 litres of luggage plus five passengers.
Underpinning the new Renault Austral is the all-new CMF-CD platform, available in two configurations: standard front-wheel drive and multi-link rear axle with 4CONTROL four-wheel steering. Its turning diameter is 10.1 meters.
Like the new Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the cabin features leather, wood, and other luxury materials. On the other hand, Renault Austral 2017 offers a first-class audio experience thanks to the Arkami sound system. In particular, a high-end audio system was developed in collaboration with Harman Kardon, a company that has been a global leader in vehicle audio for nearly 60 years.
Regarding luxurious comfort, the rear seat has 27.4 cm of knee room and 35 litres of storage capacity. Most models have foldable back seats that can be adjusted separately using 16 cm rails at the bottom of the car. When the seats are folded down, there is enough space for 500 luggage, which expands to 1,525 litres.
Security is also a concern, with up to 32 ADAS systems divided into three groups. Transportation, parking, and security. All are important considerations. A new generation of 9.3-inch Head-Up Display, Active Driver Assistant, Level 2 Autonomy combines adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Route Center, GPS data, and mapping to allow. Among the safety features of the Renault Austral is the car’s lane adjustment. Also included are a 360-degree 3D camera, automated parking assist, blind-spot lane departure indicators, cross-traffic warnings, Matrix intelligent Vision LED lighting, and a safe exit for occupants.
Austral’s latest E-Tech Hybrid engines incorporate 400V hybrid technology with a maximum output of 200hp. Also on board is a 130-hp 48-volt Advanced Mild Hybrid engine and a 140-hp/160-hp 12-volt mild hybrid engine.
The 2018 Renault Austral features an all-new E-Tech hybrid system. It has a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor, and a 1.7 kWh 400-volt lithium-ion battery. Its total output could reach 146 kW (200 hp).
In the metal
Despite sharing the same fundamental construction as the Nissan Qashqai, the Austral has a distinct appearance. Renault’s design features, such as the C-shaped lights and huge emblem on the nose, set it apart from the competition. It’s attractive enough but doesn’t feel dramatically new or distinctive, implying that Renault has played it safe in terms of styling. That’s not a negative thing, given the mass-market focus.
Within, though, the story is much different. The centrepiece is two gigantic screens, one huge portrait display in the middle and another landscape-oriented screen behind the steering wheel, as is the present manner. The two technologies are driven by Google’s automotive technology, which is already in use in the Megane E-Tech Electric and various Volvo and Polestar vehicles. As a result, the Austral system is automatically one of the best in the business, with beautiful graphics, integrated internet technology, and quick answers to inputs.
Admittedly, the digital instrument display is less striking than the touchscreen, owing to some weird graphics that offer information in unexpected locations. Still, if you get used to it, it’ll be good, and those who choose the crisp head-up display will spend far more time staring at it.
Yet, infotainment technology does not exist in isolation. Renault has incorporated the technology into the dashboard and centre console design, which features a distinctive sliding armrest. The armrest includes a phone holder, a key holder, a large storage box underneath, and cup holders in front. Yet, slide the entire thing forward like a 747 captain extending the throttle levers, and the cupholders are covered, allowing the driver to support their arm against the rest and use the touchscreen.
Despite the high quality and integration of the infotainment system, Renault has refrained from putting everything on the screen. The climate control system, for example, employs existing switchgear beneath the display, while the steering wheel and dashboard still have plenty of controls. The majority of those switches seem robust enough, as does the overall cabin quality within the Austral. Some plastics are stiff and rigid, but there’s enough pliable material, and everything is neatly bolted together. It won’t give Audi nightmares but can compete with Ford and Peugeot.
Space is also quite competitive. The back seats slide fore and aft, allowing owners to choose between rear legroom and boot space based on their demands. Rear passengers can still fit if the chairs are pushed forward, although legroom is limited. You will, however, gain more than 550 litres of luggage capacity, which is significantly greater than the space available in a BMW 3 Series Touring estate. Moving the seats back increases legroom, but the boot shrinks to 430 litres, less than a VW T-Roc boot, for example.
Driving it
For now, this new 1.2-litre E-Tech hybrid powertrain is the only choice coming to Ireland, so it’s a good thing it’s one of the best in the business. Although it is a traditional hybrid system with a small 2kWh battery that cannot be charged externally, it employs the electric motors more frequently than you might anticipate, allowing it to burn only 4.6-5.0 litres of petrol per 100km on the official WLTP economy test. According to Renault, it can operate entirely on electricity in a city centre for up to 80% of the time.
Most of the time, you won’t determine which motor is running. The three-cylinder engine is impressively refined, and the system easily transitions between gasoline and battery power. Put your foot down firmly or for an extended amount of time, and the engine will growl slightly, but it’s quieter than most hybrids and even better than the 1.6-litre E-Tech systems used in the Renault Captur and Arkana SUVs.
The system’s performance is also more than acceptable, with enough punch to keep up with traffic, albeit overtaking performance is a little lacking, given the official 199hp power output. This is partly due to the sophisticated transmission, which has 15 separate modes of (completely automatic) functioning. That’s a lot of options, and the system appears to become a little unsure when you demand some power. But if you’re cruising about, it’s plenty potent.
While the powerplant is adequate, it does not make the Austral a refined vehicle. The engine is quiet, but there is a lot of road noise in the cabin. The hiss from the tires is loudest on highways, but it’s also audible when driving around town.
The Austral is also not exceptionally comfy. Our test vehicle had sizeable 20-inch alloy wheels but also had the new multi-link rear suspension, which comes standard with the optional four-wheel steering system. Torsion beams are used in a less sophisticated manner in standard two-wheel-steering models. Despite this, and the relatively smooth European asphalt of our test route, the Austral managed to thud and thump its way along, making a feast of slight flaws in the surface. Higher speeds improved things, but the low-speed ride was lumpy and heavy.
Nonetheless, the Austral’s agility is enhanced with the 4 Control four-wheel-steering system. The turning radius is equivalent to smaller cars, such as the Clio, by moving the rear wheels in the opposite direction to those at the front when cornering at low speeds and likewise, spinning the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels improves the Austral’s stability at high speeds. The crossover point varies depending on whatever driving mode is selected, with the Sport mode, for example, built for agility rather than stability.
Even in Eco mode, though, the Austral can be pretty eager. Smooth inputs are required rather than luxury because the steering elicits surprisingly large responses quickly. The advantage is sharp cornering, aided by the Michelin tires’ ample grip and the steering wheel’s modicum of feel. As a result, the car is more fun to drive than most competitors, even if it takes some time to get accustomed to. Yet, how cars without the 4 Control system would feel remains to be seen.
While Renault offers four-wheel steering on the Austral, the family SUV lacks all-wheel drive. According to Renault executives, such an addition to the range is not ruled out in the future because it is a multi-faceted decision rather than a cost-cutting exercise. The Austral has limited off-road capability, although it has the adequate ground clearance and a maximum braked towing weight of 1,500kg, which may be helpful for some.
What you get in exchange for your money
Renault Ireland has yet to provide pricing and specifications for the new Austral, but we will update this section as soon as we learn more. We know that this new automobile will be available in three trim levels: Techno, Esprit Alpine, and Esprit Alpine Plus. The Esprit Alpine Plus trim level we tested will generally be a sportier option, with tricolour stitching, the Esprit Alpine logo, and custom, Alpine-branded wheels. Although the Austral is the first Renault model to receive the new trims, they are expected to appear across the French brand’s lineup, replacing the old R.S. Line variants.
Tech Specs
- Model tested Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 Esprit Alpine
- Hybrid system 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, two-motor hybrid system with 2kWh lithium-ion battery
- Transmission multi-mode automatic with 15 combinations, front-wheel drive
- Body style five-door, five-seat SUV
- CO2 emissions 109g/km
- Fuel consumption 4.6-5.0 litres/100km (56.5-61.4mpg)
- Top speed 175km/h
- 0-100km/h 8.4 seconds
- Max power 199hp
- Max torque 205Nm (petrol engine), 205Nm electric motor, 50Nm hybrid starter generator
- Boot space 430-1,455 litres
Summary
The Renault Austral provides clients with a robust hybrid powertrain, an attractive appearance, a large cabin, and unexpectedly spirited driving. Initial impressions imply that it isn’t significantly better than its main competitors, but it has plenty of skill, making it a worthy adversary. Pricing in Ireland will be critical to its success.
