Renault Austral driven: good looks and swish tech, but can it handle family life?
June 15, 2025 by Timon Werner-Pachmayr
Car changing is a big deal
Can Renault really tempt families away from the established German and Korean SUVs with its updated Austral? We’ve had a look at it before it’s hit our shores thanks to our German colleague, Timon Werner-Pachmayr, who’s got behind the wheel to find out
Renault has come over all posh with the updated Rafale, promising fancy touches and family practicality at a starting price of around £34,000 – but does it deliver? On paper, there’s plenty to like. The sharp exterior, modern tech, and efficient engine options impress, but the driving experience lets it down.
Renault has spruced the Austral’s exterior up nicely. There’s a new front end design with a big, bold grille reminiscent of Renault’s posh Rafale coupe-SUV. Thin rear lights and blingy alloys help complete the facelift; it’s handsome, but not quite as head-turning as the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage.
The Austral’s interior is its strong point, dominated by a crisp, responsive 12-inch Google-powered touchscreen and an equally sizable digital driver display; the tech is intuitive and impressively user-friendly.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging are all included, ticking important boxes for tech-savvy families. However, the so-called “ergonomic” seats are a letdown, feeling surprisingly uncomfortable on longer drives, and there’s a fair bit of hard, cheap-feeling plastic on the centre console and lower dashboard, compared to the seat fabrics and door cards.
The Austral does a decent job of being practical. The rear seats slide, letting you opt between more passenger legroom or boot space, which ranges from an acceptable 487 litres up to 555 litres with the bench slid forward. The high loading lip isn’t ideal for heavy items or pets though, and towing capacity maxes out at 1,500 kg, putting it behind alternatives like the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson.
Under the bonnet, every Austral gets a hybrid setup pairing a modest 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor. Renault claims impressive fuel economy figures, suggesting you spend up to 80% of your city in electric mode and fuel consumption as low as 58.9mpg. Our real-world results were less optimistic though. While quiet enough around town, the petrol engine sounds coarse when kicked into action, and overall performance isn’t all that punchy.
The driving experience itself is the Austral’s biggest drawback. Even with the update, it still remains unsettled on anything but the smoothest roads. Bumps and potholes significantly upset its composure, making the ride feel jittery. Steering is light, easy for city manoeuvres, but lacks the reassuring precision you’d hope for when navigating winding roads.
Ultimately, the Renault Austral does well enough but falls short in crucial areas. It’s tech-heavy, reasonably efficient, and practical enough for family duties, yet it struggles to provide the comfort and driving refinement you’d find in its alternatives.
Families after a smoother, more assured driving experience might find the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, or Toyota RAV4 a better match for their needs.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.