CarGurus expert rating: 3 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: N/A
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 35.4%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.8 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 100
Average Price: Around £23,600

Renault Austral (2026) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Roomy and versatile	Lots of road noise
Pleasant interior	Ride is rather firm
Refined hybrid powertrain	Four-wheel steering can feel twitchy

Quick Summary

The Renault Austral is a midsize family SUV that combines modern design, advanced technology and efficient hybrid powertrains. It features a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors, producing 196bhp through Renault's E-Tech full hybrid system. The spacious cabin offers a 555-litre boot with 60:40 folding rear seats, adjustable rear legroom and a high driving position typical of the SUV class. The interior quality is impressive, with thoughtful finishes throughout, and the Google-backed infotainment system is one of the best in its class, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and 12.0-inch touchscreen.

The Austral delivers strong real-world efficiency with official WLTP figures of up to 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions of just 105g/km, offering a potential range of up to 680 miles from the 55-litre fuel tank. The hybrid powertrain is smooth and refined, with automatic blending of petrol and electric power. However, ride comfort can feel unsettled on potholed roads, and the sharp steering response—particularly on four-wheel steering models—may not suit all drivers. With three trim levels available and competitive pricing, the Austral makes a strong case as an efficient, well-equipped alternative to familiar rivals like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.

Best for: Families seeking a spacious, modern SUV with excellent infotainment, strong efficiency and a refined hybrid powertrain, and those prioritising technology and interior quality.

Not ideal for: Drivers prioritising ride comfort on rough roads, those who prefer lighter steering responses, or buyers seeking the sharpest handling in the class.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Austral if: You're seeking a spacious, modern SUV with excellent infotainment, strong efficiency and a refined hybrid powertrain, and prioritise technology and interior quality.

Consider alternatives if: You prioritise ride comfort on rough roads, prefer lighter steering responses, or seek the sharpest handling in the class.

Competitive Position: The Renault Austral is a smart-looking and well-built family SUV with a spacious cabin, impressively smooth hybrid powertrain and one of the better infotainment systems in its class. However, it faces stiff competition from the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which both score higher with users and experts. Whilst the Austral's ride comfort can feel slightly unsettled on potholed roads and its four-wheel steering can feel twitchy, it remains an efficient and well-equipped alternative that makes a strong case for itself in the competitive family SUV segment.

Read our full Renault Austral Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from May 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.

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