Austral gets a makeover, changes its look and is more comfortable

In Renault's range of many hybrid and electric SUVs, it is up to the Austral to defend the brand's colours among the medium-sized ones. A context, which will become even more crowded with the continued arrival of Chinese models. Thus, Renault is subjecting the Austral to an extensive update. The renovation affects aesthetics and content as much as technologies to optimise dynamism and comfort. It also rationalises the range. In fact, the versions on sale at prices starting at around 36,000 euros) are now only the mild-hybrid 130 and the full-hybrid E-Tech 200, and the trim versions only the Evolution, the Techno and the Esprit Alpine.

The new Austral can be recognised by its front end inspired by those of the Espace and Rafale, sporting a similar light signature and grille, as well as a tail end redefined by the design of the tailgate and headlights. The result makes for a more authoritative outfit than in the past even if the dimensions, in practice, do not change. In fact, the length only increases by a few centimetres to 4.53 metres, while the width of 1.83 metres, the height of 1.62 metres and the wheelbase of 2.67 metres remain unchanged.

The upgrade does not affect the already appreciable width of the pleasant and well-finished passenger compartment, in which the rear upholstery that can slide 16 centimetres allows space to be modulated in favour of passengers or the boot. The latter has a capacity ranging from 557 to 1,761 litres in the case of the mild hybrid version and from 527 to 1,736 litres in that of the full hybrid. However, there is no shortage of new features to improve practicality and comfort. For example, the gearstick lever to the right of the steering wheel moved higher up to avoid - admittedly without much success - confusion with the windscreen wiper lever, the paddle and hi-fi controls crowding that area or, again, the camera on the front left-hand pillar that engages the driver preference recognition system if configured. Digitisation still relies on the configurable 12" instrument display (there is also a 9.3" head-up diplay on request), which is combined with the 9" or 12.3" vertical central display of the OpenR Link infotainment system that integrates Google services, but is now based on Android 12 and has a renewed graphic interface.

From here on, the new features do not jump out at you, but they do make themselves felt in the road, such as the increased insulation in the passenger compartment, which improves comfort together with the wraparound front seats, the enrichment of the Adas, the revised multi-mode gearbox management of the E-Tech 200 to make delivery smoother, and the set-up supplemented by progressive damping shock absorbers, which also make their mark on dynamism.

Especially when equipped with the optional steered rear axle, the E-Tech 200 proves to be very agile on winding roads and equally manoeuvrable in tight spaces, benefiting instinctive driving. This factor is also reflected in the improved powertrain delivery, which benefits smoothness of travel and better camouflages when this Austral only drives with electric drive at low speeds and for short distances or when the petrol engine alone or with electric support is at work. In this case you can count on a rather lively temperament, which allows you to reach 180 km/h through a 0-100 km/h sprint in 8"4, against claimed average mileage of over 21 kilometres.