Renault Austral review | Heaps sexier than the Kadjar!

[@fishy7901]

Went car shopping last week and sat in all the current SUVs. Cannot believe that anyone thinks this isn't a class above the rest, Qashqai and Kia look like bargain basement cars in comparison. Ordered mine ofln the day and will be with me by the end of September!

[@podge5555]

What colour did you go for?

[@grahamthegreat2680]

Just traded my Kadjar in for an Austral E, It's the difference between Wrexham and Man U. An absolutely phenomenal car. Great to drive and full of tech which I haven't sussed it all out yet!

[@NorthernSoulieKTF]

Had mine for precisely two weeks, absolutely love it. I just look for reasons to take it out. After 6 months in a Megane E Tech, range anxiety would never go away to the point I was looking to hire an ICE car for a road trip I have planned with the wife. So traded it in for the Austral, lost heaps but much much happier. Currently averaging 56 mpg on mixed journeys with EV mode majority of times around town, so 650 miles range easily doable. Cabin is supreme, HUD is crystal clear, hardly notice switch from EV mode to petrol and it is spritely when you need it to be. In Sport mode, gears can need a second until it decides which of the 15 combinations available it needs to use when you floor it, but then your off. Test drove the Sportage and Tucson hybrids but neither came close to what I felt driving and the cabin ambience, displays and safety features of the Austral for similar or more money. Love it, love it, love it.

[@NobbyOnCars]

Thanks for posting your experience with it! The 22kW on board in the Megane should’ve steadied your nerves though 😉

[@columcreaven8860]

What range was the Megane é just out of curiosity?

[@marcellakilgarriff]

What kind of mileage were you doing that the range anxiety was that bad? I've had a Cupra Born for 8 months and have had no issues in that regard. Bit of forward planning required for long journeys but absolutely no problem for the day to day stuff.

[@stevencampbell1150]

It's interesting to hear your comments both on the e tech Mégane and indeed the Tuscon hybrid as I'm between the Austral and the Tuscon in terms of my next car, my only question is about the auto gearbox in both vehicles in so far as I've heard that the Austral can be occasionally hesitant to change gear and I don't know what the Tuscon is like especially bearing in mind that I drive a 6 speed manual diesel Kadjar.

[@markparkes8057]

Can't wait to get mine later today

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Love your reviews Nobby. I have to replace my 5008 GT Premium next year and want something smaller. This is on the short list. I loved my Koleos and was devastated when they stopped importing new models.

[@strongbowism]

My Mrs picks up her new Techno Esprit Alpine in Matte Grey next week. After two extensive test drives she chose it over the Sportage and the Qashqai which surprised me but after driving it myself I was also impressed.

[@Quagmire925]

All these SUV things are starting to look the same.

[@Loveforeal1111]

The 1.2 can it sustain the weight of the car ?

[@joedacosta2694]

I ordered the iconic esprit...3 month waiting list ..can't wait to dirve it from Jersey to Italy in August...Great review ...Good bye 3.3 V6 stinger GTS

[@jarlathbrophy5665]

Planning to order the top spec for January 2024. I have taken a test drive. Lovely to drive with a good 'kick' on Irish roads for passing, entering motorway, and so on. Strong selling point for me is that it is full hybrid (self-charging) with excellent mileage. No need to plug it in. One comment: I love the matte grey (which I drove) but will not be selecting that finish. It would be far too costly to repair scratches and dents. I will be going for the two tone pearl white. Also, very nice.

[@michealkelliher8428]

I love this car too Jarlath. Huge spec in this compared to the plasticity on Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Toyota Rav 4 looks strong, but boring and bland as he'll.

[@stevencampbell1150]

Great review as ever Nobby. You read my mind as I was just going to ask you on your previous review if you were going to review the Austral and if so when. I'm very interested in it though I'll be hanging on to my diesel Kadjar for a while yet because though my local Renault dealer has one I want to wait about 6 months to a year after it comes out and then hopefully pick up an ex demo model for less money here in the North. I'm told they start around 36-39/40ish here in the North going by what the dealer tells me. It will also fit my brief to carry my family and my bike in the back. By the way the centre console steering wheel and screen etc is taken from the electric Mégane not the Audi tho' they as in Renault probably nicked it from them I'll admit.

[@markparkes8057]

I only ordered mine 3 or 4 weeks ago and came in last friday could have picked it up Monday but i put it off till tomorrow

[@NobbyOnCars]

We might get some white smoke with you and a new car so Steven 😉

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@NobbyOnCars Lol 😂 It'll be a while yet before I do it for several reasons, one to hopefully get an ex demo model like the way I did with my current car and two tho' my car is 7 years old now though I've owned it for 6 years with just over 91000 miles on it, it had approximately 3500 on it when I got it, I've spent alot of money on maintenance and parts which I want to get the use out of and finally three it'll be a sad but strange day when I do as my current car not only helped us move house to our current house but it was the 1st car our son came home for the 1st time as he got a trip in it after leaving the hospital and he's now 4.

[@graemetighe]

The man driving that test car you speak of was Marty Morrissey

[@tomcashman6016]

The difference is Marty didn't pay for his ,probably didn't pay tax on it either.

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

For hot sunny days..perhaps NOT in Ireland..to mention if it has a blind for the glass roof is a must!.

[@Irishgamer01]

Its got the screen they refused to put in Irish/UK new Meganes, Nice boot shoots. I may have spotted this car on the M50.

[@TomOS1971]

Currently on my 3rd CR-V, last 2 have been Hybrids I do a lot of km for work so would be looking to move on my current CR-V next year The new model CR-V has jumped to 70k and not sure its worth it so wondering what you're thoughts are on it compared to it and the other in the class like the RAV-4, Quashqai, Forrester etc Even at 53.3k the iconic esprit Alpine seems really good value for money but the RAV is similar in their top spec. Honda just seem to have gone into Volvo territory even though its a much bigger car I have the Forrester back on my list again after owning a Subaru prior to my Honda days Thanks

[@FeathersT21]

Ordered this car in Wales. It should be arriving in around 6 weeks. My last three cars have been Audi and Mercedes yet this is the one I’m excited to get. Odd heh

[@NobbyOnCars]

Hard luck on the rugby 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@audriusbutkus1608]

50k euro for renault three cylinders that is insane.maybe ireland taxes are very high

[@O123-j9s]

Can you get it in Diesel.... otherwise if I got it for nothing I would sell it the day after.

[@car_babble]

Your views are fairly skyrocketing just now Mark!

[@markparkes8057]

Pick mine up tomorrow afternoon

[@brendanmcdermott5787]

Well wear 🎉

[@gib321]

Renault now really putting some distance between their badge and Dacia, which for a while, seemed to be catching up.

[@about_blank.]

I think Dacia will be getting Renaults place and Renault will sell more premium cars.

[@SajjadAli-xx5fk]

Well done

[@Eduard.Andrei]

My dad has this car but with 1.3 Tce, automatic gearbox. In my opinion, if you can get this car well equiped under 32.000, go for it. It drives ok, the suspension is pretty good, materials are decent, but the car curently has 6.000 km and the driver seat is making squeaking noise when you change your position (back side), there was also a squeaking somewhere near the steering wheel (not from steering wheel itself or smtg like that) which now might be gone, don't know for sure. One day when I started the car and had to reverse, the car felt like it had no power, tried to press harder on the gas pedal but nothing. Tried 2 times to put it again in reverse but for nothing. My point is, Renaults are cheap build and also the electronics tend to be buggy. I own a 2022 Tucson which is way better than the Austral. Plus I have AWD. Materials used on the Tucson are also better. Also, the Austral only unlocks when the car senses the key near the car. If one day it decides that it doesn't want to unlock, you will have to search for your key and "manually" unlock it, since there is no button or sensor on the door handle. They wanted to make a "premium" car but afterall, it's just a Renault. Good looking/build at a first glance, but once you have a long term contact with it, you will see how it really is. It's not a bad car. If you get a good price, go for it. But take your time and take a look at other brands as well. Fuel economy is good, the engine power (160 hp) is good also. Also pay attention to the seatbelts on the backseats, passengers are saying that it's hurting their neck, it has a bad position.

[@michealkelliher8428]

I completely understand, as you had one for a while. I wouod strongly disagree with you though on the Hyundai Tucson, v the Austral, the tucson has inferior cabin materials, the tucson is more reliable. But the tucson has only 6 airbags!! This and the Nissan xtrail have 9 airbags! The tucson has a shitty sound radio system. This has a heads up display, the tucson does not. Overall this is a far safer car than the Hyundai Tucson.

[@Eduard.Andrei]

@@michealkelliher8428 Tucson has 7 airbags and if you watch Euroncap result on both cars, they are almost the same. As for the material quality, I maintain my opinion. Krell sound system is good, the standard one is bad.

[@michealkelliher8428]

@Eduard.Andrei Krell is no match for Bose system in the nissan x trail, and is no match to the Harmon Kadron system in the Renault austral. I've tested all three. As for safety, Nissan and Renault are far superior with their 20 - 30 safety assist systems v hyundai tucson, which it cannot match. A central pillar airbag in the front, the North airbag, which the hyundai tucson should have, does not have. A lot of brain injuries are caused by collision of heads in the front. As for the materials, the Tucson plastic is no match in comfort to the Renault Austral's velvet material. Technologically, the tucson is way behind the Renault Austral. Even the Hyundai dealers told me this and comfort materials. Engineering wise, the hyundai is a good bit ahead of the Renault alright and reliability. It's just not as nice as a drive as the Austral nor the xtrail. I may choose the Toyota Rav 4 or Renault Austral, or the Nissan X trail. As for the Hyundai Tucson, it's not even shortlisted.

[@Eduard.Andrei]

​@@michealkelliher8428 What safety systems did you truly want that the Hyundai Tucson lacks? Systems that you would genuinely need in your daily life, and you can truly say you miss. For example, I am satisfied that the car is capable of braking on its own, both front and rear. Plus, one of the most useful features is the display showing the blind-spot angle when signaling, as it looks much better than what you see in the side mirrors. Additionally, I'm talking about the user experience. The Tucson is more comfortable; everyone who has sat in the back has praised how well it rides and how spacious it is. The Renault's rear seat is fixed, and the backrest position cannot be adjusted. I have no reason to deny that Renault might be better, having both cars in the family, but it really isn't, at least for me. I don't understand why the X-trail is brought into the discussion; it's not a competitor to the Renault Austral or Hyundai Tucson. Should I also mention the electronic aspect of the Renault? Like the other day when only one of the mirrors would fold, or if you ended a phone call, you couldn't listen to music anymore?

[@Eduard.Andrei]

@@michealkelliher8428 plus no heated rear seats, no seat ventilation.

[@marley2319]

I think it’s a nice looking car, but Renault doesn’t have a good reputation, or has that changed??

[@ivonikolov8709]

So just to doublecheck is it AWD or just 2WD?

[@NobbyOnCars]

2WD

[@ivonikolov8709]

@@NobbyOnCars Thanks for the reply 👍

[@aleex141]

What is the big lever thing for in the centre console?

[@NobbyOnCars]

Just to rest your arm on

[@IanC766]

Is it not a wireless phone changer?@@NobbyOnCars

[@NobbyOnCars]

@@IanC766 there is a wireless charging plate but the raised bit is just for resting

[@gerihayes2659]

It also helps with steadying your arm using the infotainment screen

[@eivydasnavikonis3392]

At The moment no competitor on market to all The tech that goes in to it so price is to reflect that. All the comments so far saying collecting theirs tomorrow or next week I gather from UK as in Ireland only Early next year?

[@NobbyOnCars]

No there's initial stock available now but they'll go quickly Renault Ireland believe.

[@eivydasnavikonis3392]

@@NobbyOnCars oh that’s interesting. We weren’t told that I guess we need to check out other dealers so than

[@asifmanzoor2198]

Best car very beautiful

[@Badonicus]

Renault, Renault? Nobby I hope you got a good side deal. I hear €75k is the going rate ...

[@richardhowlett9424]

Will this be sold in a land down under !

[@stuartmchugh1754]

I had a really bad Austral infection once, still keeps me awake sometimes.

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

Hi mate, looks good, but I wish it was only a full ev.

[@BernardSamson-hf6fc]

Is that not just a re-badged Qashqai e-power

[@NobbyOnCars]

e-power different setup altogether

[@MKTED62]

oh dear how long are they going to persist with with ICE cars...50k why ?

[@NobbyOnCars]

As long as the public wants to buy them I guess

[@MKTED62]

​@@NobbyOnCarswill Seekr be coming to Ireland...

[@ffotograffydd]

Until people have better access to charging. Currently many of us don’t have that facility at all, so a self-charging hybrid is a better option for us than sticking with a standard petrol engine.

[@RanaFaisal-mk9yb]

Nice

[@Aidan_Lalor]

It doesn’t look too bad but it’s no head turner. The interior lacks a brighter colour interior to contrast the dark exterior. The price ensures it’ll never make my short list.

[@michealkelliher8428]

The interior is a head Turner, way more so than it's bland, boring competitors.

[@podge5555]

It’s a little embarrassing that car companies use Irish roads to test their cars

[@NobbyOnCars]

Why is that? Some of the biggest brands in the world test their pre production cars in Ireland.

[@podge5555]

@@NobbyOnCars because it means we have a reputation for having crap roads which is nothing to be proud of

[@NobbyOnCars]

@@podge5555 ah I think a lot of it happens in the West where it gives a better reflection of the world in general. It ain’t all smooth motorways elsewhere either!

[@podge5555]

@@NobbyOnCars I was behind a Porsche covered in camouflage one day in Enniscorthy

[@NobbyOnCars]

@@podge5555 there ya go

[@tomquimby8669]

2020 kadjar 20k euro with 1.3 engine. Renault does not even get into the top 10 marques!

[@lflyr6287]

MUHAAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAAA : heaps sexier than the Kadjar....yeah and with only a PUNY 1.3 petrol engine that always has to be assisted with an electric motor....and all of that on 19" rims....guess how much is the fuel consumption = astronomical in real life scenario....with puny performance figures on road. What a joke of a car....at least the Kadjar, besides being a classical Renault style ugly car, it had a diesel engine which was the only sensible choice for a mid size SUV.

[@michealkelliher8428]

No joke of a car, they wouldn't be bringing out this model, if it didn't work, it's interior is better than any model of it's rivals. I've est driven them all. Huge spec in it.

[@lflyr6287]

@@michealkelliher8428 still....a puny 1.3 litre Inline 4 engine running a small / midsize SUV on 19" rims is going to perform like a 2 cylinder small car from the 70-s while eating large amounts of gas due to its lack of power and to heavy of a car to drag behind. On 19" rims one loses a lot of power due to the longer torque henge needed to rotate the wheels.

[@michealkelliher8428]

@lflyr6287 Puny! Far from puny, its large. The 20 " inch is far better rims, feel less bumps. It doesn't run on gas by the way. The 4 wheel power drive with the back up of self charging overcomes any loss of power and petrol consumption. You must be looking at an American variant. Only way for people to really find out, take one out on a long spin, then make a decision. Spec wise, it kicks the shit out of any of it's competitors. Toyota Rav 4, too bland, boring interior, technologically crap and dated. Tucson old fashioned with a fucking gearstick!! Too plastic feel wise, Kia Soprtage, a bit better, but again has that far east plastic feel, Peugeot 5008, lovely, comfortable, but waste of time, bhp for a 1.6. All SUV's need at least 200 bhp and over to be effective.

[@lflyr6287]

@@michealkelliher8428 WTF are you blabbing buttercup....larger rims ALWAYS FEEL MORE HARSH due to less of a rubber height around it. The bearings suffer more, wheel suffixes suffer more, knuckles suffer more and so on.... As for the quality goes, the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage both have FAAAAR SUPERIOR BUILD QUALITY and BUILD DURABILITY, hence are much much more reliable....and the Sportage looks competitive by the looks whereas the Tucson looks much much more badass pretty :). For god sakes....you're talking about needing at least 200 HP....while the strongest Austral has a 1.5 litre MHEV with only 158 HP....whereas the Tucson and Sportage both have 2.0 litre Inline 4 Turbo Diesel with 200 HP and 440 Nm or Torque as well as AWD divertain.

[@michealkelliher8428]

@lflyr6287 WTF! Are you on about, doesn't say much for your standards if you think the interior of the Kia Sportage, and especially the Hyundai Tucson are far superior spec wise on aesthetics, you need to go to Art College / Design lessons. As for larger 20" rims, you can still have bigger tyres, any fool will tell you that. I'm driving a Ford Mondeo 1.6, 115 bhp, its as slow as shit, too laboured, so bhp does make a difference. 158 bhp for the Austral is just bollocks, you know that, it's 200 bhp.

[@djwarren5081]

It looks pretty bland to me. Inside and out.

[@stringer-ik1pc]

As boring and dull as the people who will drive it.(probably not many either )😂😂😂

[@michealkelliher8428]

Have you driven one? Because I have, and I've driven all SUV's. This model kicks the absolute shit out of any of its rivals, from the bland, boring Toyota Rav 4 to the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Tucson is still using a gearstick!! Who the fuck! wants a gearstick on a new SUV anymore.

[@richgl31]

Ha-because your choice of car makes you interesting or not😂. Do you have a personalised reg plate by any chance?

[@michealkelliher8428]

Really, well, I've test driven this 7 times. I've still to decide between this and the Nissan x trail. This car kicks the shit out of the Toyota Rav4, Kia Sportage, and the Hyundai Tucson regarding; Premium comfort Technology Safety.