Koleos and Kadjar were not great commercial successes for Renault.
Mean by that, not at the level of the Clio, Megane or Kangoo for example.
However, being SUVs, they allow its manufacturer to benefit from better margins.
With this new element called "Austral" - a name that invites you to travel and which is perfectly suited to an SUV - according to Renault, the French manufacturer is aiming for a new move upmarket.
He also wants to catch up with the "big guys" in the category, Peugeot 3008 and VW Tiguan.
Based on the platform of its partner Nissan Qashqai, the Austral takes up the stylistic codes of the recent Megane E-Tech electric.
But, as with the Megane, it's the cabin that surprises the most pleasantly.
Starting with the head-up display or the digital screens: readable, ergonomic but also very responsive thanks to the Android Automotive operating system.
The materials are of high quality, the adjustments precise and this can be compared today with Germanic productions.
The other advantage of this compact SUV (4.51 m) is its roominess, including the rear seats, as well as the numerous storage spaces.
On the engine side, the Austral applies Renault's current line: farewell to diesel mechanics, place for electrification.
The catalog includes 12V (1.3l 140 or 160 hp) and 48 V (1.2l 130 hp) light hybridizations, and of course a "full hybrid" engine based on a brand new 1.2 petrol unit (160 or 200 hp).
Neat finishes
Clearly, the manufacturer is making “reassuring” choices here, without betting on the only 100% electric which would have limited the career of a vehicle with great commercial potential.
For our first outing in Austral, we were only entitled to full hybrid versions.
Funny detail, the vehicle is then called “Australe”, and the “e” is in blue if it is an Alpine finish… Yes Renault mixes here the SUV and the sporty touch of the Dieppe brand.
Understand who can.
What to take away from this test?
First comfort and above all soundproofing.
Road holding then, with a chassis that receives a new rear axle and 4-wheel steering (optional).
At the rear, the angle can vary by up to 5 degrees, which gives maneuvers worthy of a city car and, at higher speeds, an (almost) sporty handling.
All of this would be almost perfect if it weren't for a small problem with the automatic gearbox and a (big) hole during hard acceleration.
This appeared on the first overtaking, it was necessary to "put on the gas" so as not to interfere with the car coming in front and… nothing happened for a good two seconds!
A kind of air pocket before the mechanics react and send 200 horsepower all at once!
More fear than harm here but we had to play with this accelerator pedal throughout the test so as not to be surprised.
The good news is that the engineers at Renault told us that it was a software problem and that the problem would be solved as soon as the first copies were delivered to customers.
We will check that, because, for the rest, this is a car full of promise!
From €33,400.
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