Renault Austral (2023 – current) | Professional Ranking

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Renault Austral doesn’t move the game on for family SUVs, despite a brand-new powertrain and impressive levels of technology. It’s competent enough from behind the wheel, but never exciting. Where Renault has clearly worked hard is with perceived cabin quality and the practicality on offer. But with so many rivals to choose from, pricing will be key.” (Alastair Crooks)
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Iconic Esprit Alpine
Score: 8 / 10
“The Renault Austral is a very tidy SUV that has some Alpine feel courtesy of a liberal sprinkling of style extras and a well-judged chassis set-up. Thankfully for Renault, that’s still more than enough to make this one of the more recommendable options despite the brutally competitive hordes of mid-sized SUVs that it rubs shoulders with.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Renault Austral doesn’t excite. Despite headline features like that four-wheel steering or Alpine trim levels, this car is going to be just another Qashqai alternative. Every mainstream manufacturer needs one. It’s not a bad effort, though, and feels significantly more upmarket than the Kadjar it replaces.” (Tom Wiltshire)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Renault Austral is a comfortable, spacious and hi-tech SUV that’s a big step up from the outgoing Kadjar.” (Tom Jervis)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“”The Renault Austral handles tidily enough and on first impressions seems to ride pretty well. The four-wheel steering option makes it agile too. It’s a shame that the hybrid model doesn’t encourage sporty driving, then.” (Lawrence Allan)
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Austral isn’t a household name like some of its rivals, but it’s a better car than the old Kadjar. The cabin is a big step forward, the technology is impressive and the hybrid is exceptionally efficient – it’s just a shame the UK doesn’t get the cheaper petrols.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Practicality could be better, and the hybrid setup isn’t totally seamless, while we sense prices are set to take a jump. But, overall, the Renault Austral is an interesting new entrant in the family SUV class, which brings some welcome new tech and usability. It’s well worth a look.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Renault Austral won’t set any hearts on fire, but it’s a good replacement for the Kadjar and looks as though it’ll be well worth considering if your priorities are a spacious, well-equipped SUV that won’t cost the earth to run.” (Tom Wiltshire)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“the Austral will be easier on the eye than those cars to many and if Renault can get its monthly finance right there’s enough comfort, quality and good tech here to make it a worthy choice. Just leave it in Comfort mode if you do.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid Esprit Alpine Plus
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Austral is significantly better than the old Kadjar it replaces. It’s better to drive, more distinctive inside and more stylish outside, as well as being more efficient and considerably more high-tech. Overall, it’s a vast leap forward for Renault. It isn’t quite good enough to beat its rivals but it isn’t without its talents, and that should be enough to ensure it takes a respectable slice of the huge family SUV pie.” (James Fossdike)
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre peetrol/electric hybrid Iconic Esprit
Score: 6 / 10
“While it has its high points, the main one being the efficient hybrid system, which has come of its own with the 1.2-litre engine, the Renault Austral is completely underwhelming in this class of virtually identical family SUVs. It’s OK but quite unexceptional, and the Alpine sub-branding doesn’t do much to lift it above the common herd.” (Andrew English)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Austral is well-trimmed, feels high-tech, and uses little fuel. If you want a hybrid crossover, it’s a good choice.” (Paul Horrell)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“On-paper efficiency aside, the Austral is beaten in almost every other key family SUV metric by the Kia Sportage. Its hybrid gearbox is frustratingly slow, too.”
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