Testing the New Renault Austral: The 'Palencian' SUV Climbs in Comfort and Efficiency

Manufactured for the global market at the Palencia plant, the Renault Austral has been a key player in the French brand's reconquest of the C-segment since its launch in 2022, amassing over 200,000 units sold. Compact on the outside but spacious inside, it has always been distinguished by its versatility and high efficiency.

Now it updates with various new features, starting with its exterior look adopting Renault's new design language, aligned with the Rafale and New Espace: new hood, bumpers, and grille. In addition to slate grey, glossy black, pearly white, desire red, and satin slate grey, the new Austral is offered in two new body colors: naxos blue and satin pearly white. The satin colors are reserved for the esprit Alpine version.

The daytime and nighttime lighting is completely new thanks to the new optics and half-diamond-shaped daytime running lights (DRL) located in the bumper. The headlights can be equipped with two technologies: standard (LED Adaptive Vision) or optional LED Matrix Vision headlights, which control the intelligent activation of a greater number of diode segments optimizing lighting efficiency.

The interior debuts new upholstery and more ergonomic front seats, thanks to greater lateral and shoulder support. The gear lever position has been modified, located to the right of the steering wheel, to make it more ergonomic.

Additionally, acoustic comfort is improved thanks to new insulating elements that reduce the exterior engine noise level at idle and new door seals and glass thickness (in the esprit Alpine finish) that lower cabin noise. According to Renault, aerodynamic and mechanical noise has been halved. New engine mounts along with other calibrations reduce perceived mechanical vibrations inside.

The technological equipment is also enriched with new applications available through the openR link system with integrated Google and, as a major novelty in the range, driver facial recognition via a camera integrated into the left pillar, which automatically activates various settings for up to five users: start menu, favorite radio stations and media, driving position settings for seat and exterior mirrors, and applications.

The double openR screen combines the 12-inch digital instrument panel with a 9 or 12.3-inch multimedia screen depending on the version. The central console is equipped with an induction charger, two USB-C ports, and a 12 V socket. Rear passengers benefit from two USB-C ports and a 12 V socket at the back of the central armrest.

Its full hybrid E-Tech engine of 200 HP, which represents 80% of this model's sales, is combined with a multi-mode automatic transmission with new software (developed to ensure permanent reactivity and eliminate any sense of inertia, especially when downshifting) that allows the Austral to offer one of the best performance-to-consumption ratios on the market. Driving is smoother, especially when accelerating between 40 and 80 km/h. This engine consists of a turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol block (1.2 liters and 130 HP and 205 Nm) and two electric motors. Its mixed WLTP cycle consumption is 4.7 l/100 km.

The range is completed with a 160 HP mild hybrid engine, which features a 4-cylinder petrol engine, turbocharged and direct injection of 1.3 liters, coupled to a CVT-type automatic gearbox and offers a mixed consumption of 6.2 l/100 km.

The 4Control advanced four-wheel steering system (unique in the C-segment to offer it) improves the turning radius and controls roll in curves, while the multi-sense settings allow for personalized driving sensations (steering effort, engine response, and chassis agility) and the 32 latest-generation ADAS systems contribute to offering a high level of driving comfort and onboard safety. The suspension stops -taken from Rafale- and the shock absorbers are completely new, and the tire size increases (now 18 inches in the evolution finish).

The new Austral offers spacious rear seats, where passengers benefit from up to 27.4 cm of knee room and more than 90 cm of headroom. It proposes a second-row bench that slides 16 cm, reclines in three positions, and folds down. Access to the trunk is facilitated by the motorized tailgate opening. The load volume varies depending on the engine: with the mild hybrid it ranges from 555 liters to 1,761 liters and with the full hybrid E-Tech from 527 to 1,736 liters.

The new Renault Austral is available in three trims: evolution, techno, and esprit Alpine (44% of customers choose this high-end version).

The mild hybrid version starts at a price of €31,868, while the full hybrid E-Tech starts from €36,522.