This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, analytics and third party advertising purposes as described in our Privacy and Data Processing Policy. You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, or further manage your preferences. To opt-out of sharing with third parties information related to these technologies, select "Manage Settings" or submit a Do Not Sell My Personal Information request.
The All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid was first unveiled in March 2022 at the Paris Motor Show with production beginning in July. It is the successor to the now-retired Renault Kadjar and the second model to have the E-Tech full hybrid system that Renault have created as part of their next generation of cars.
Our All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid review breaks down this exciting new car and helps you to understand the model and its trim levels and how it places itself within the market against hybrid rivals with the latest technology and developments.
The All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid will have the new retro-inspired logo alongside the brand's LED headlights in the signature C-shape and the cockpit forms a L-shape so that it can surround the driver.
Agneta Dahlgren, Renault design project director, described the design as "the result is materialized by the combination of generous shapes, curved shoulders, projecting sides and the integration of subtle technical details such as high-tech headlamps. which reinforce its identity design."
Coming from the collaboration of Renault and Alpine sees the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid receive some of the Alpine branding throughout the model with the Iconic esprit Alpine trim level. This adds enormous 20 inch Daytona Black diamond cut wheels, an exclusive matte Shadow Grey paint option, matte grey F1 blade at the front, a glossy black roof, and distinctive badges.
The All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid interior is sleek and high tech. At entry level you'll enjoy two 12 inch screens, resulting in 774cm3 of digital display at your fingertips. Up to 35 different apps are available, location dependent, alongside integrated My Renault and Google Connected Services, such as Google Maps.
Use the "Hey Google" command to plan your journey, change which driving modes are active, and to set the temperature, to control your Renault model like never before. These services are included free of charge for the first five years from the date of the car being delivered.
It's the small details and additions to the interior that make the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid special. An ergonomic and sliding hand rest between the front two seats allows you to use the portrait style 12 inch screen comfortably whilst the controls are all orientated towards the driver for ease of use.
As well as this, you will also see the most important driving information displayed directly in your eyeline thanks to a 9.3 inch head up display, meaning that your eyes never have to leave the road.
Cloth fabric seats come as standard on the Techno trim but as you upgrade you're treated to esprit Alpine upholstery in the top trim level; Alcantara fabric enhanced with blue top-stitching, exclusive embroidered motifs on the headrests, aluminium pedals, and red, white, and blue stitching on the steering wheel.
Additionally you'll be able to get comfortable with height adjustment for the driver's seatbelt and height and depth adjustment for the steering wheel as standard across the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid range.
Upgrading your trim level also adds heated functionality to the front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 6 way electric seat adjustment with pneumatic lumbar massage with driver recognition memory function. Passengers in the rear seats can benefit from a sliding rear bench which slides up to 16cm, ideal for adjusting between taller passengers and utilising the generous boot space for larger loads.
Speaking of the boot, it the spacious interior gives you 555 litres of space with all five seats in use and the rear bench in the furthest back position and opens up to as much as 1525 litres with the rear seats folded down. There's also a 60:40 split in the rear bench to allow you to juggle between passengers and cargo easily.
E-Tech Full Hybrid Technology is exclusive to the Renault, protected by 150 patents, and developed in collaboration with the Renault F1 teams to draw on their expertise in electric vehicles.
A 1.6 litre petrol engine is paired with two electric motors and a 200V battery and use the electric power to start the car and travel for the first few miles. This gives the car and you a more lively pick-up and helps to increase your fuel economy.
Renault claims that you can drive in electric mode for 80% of the time with the combustion engine stepping in when the electric motor power runs low. However the electric motor will recuperate kinetic energy as you drive and translate this into power in the battery, allowing you to drive further. E-Tech technology also captures more energy than most hybrid models.
In the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid this presents as 200HP with maximum torque set as 205Nm, and CO2 emissions as low as 105 g/km. As a hybrid setup it also offers better fuel economy than solely combustion engine models, with combined mpg being advertised as up to 60.1.
There are three trim levels available on the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid; Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine, and Iconic Esprit Alpine.
The entry level Techno trim offers 19 inch Komah alloy wheels, shark fin antenna, matrix LED headlights, rear LED lights with moirage effect, rear and side privacy glass, flush roof rails, and electric folding and heated door mirrors.
Inside, expect fabric seats, leather steering wheel, a rear armrest with 2 USB-C connectors, LED illuminated driver sun visor, and two 12 inch screens in the front of the car for connectivity and driving thanks to the openR link multimedia system.
Upgrading to the techno esprit Alpine trim level will add 20 inch Daytona alloy wheels, an electric powered boot, heated driver and passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, esprit Alpine interior, autonomous driving level 1 which has eyes and hands off detection, and 6 way electric seat adjustment with pneumatic lumbar massage.
The top trim level, the iconic esprit Alpine, then includes automatic emergency braking, a 360 degree camera, and a panoramic sun roof.
The All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid has been given a five star safety rating from Euro NCAP, placing it on par with the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, the Nissan Qashqai e-power, and the Kia Sportage hybrid. It was praised for its driver assistance systems and how they performed in each of the crash test stages.
Standard driver assistance systems include front, rear, and side park assist, emergency brake assist, adaptive driving beam hill start assist, cruise control with speed limiter, rear active emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition.
Upgrading your trim level adds advanced driver assistance systems such as a rear view camera, overspeed prevention, and adaptive cruise control.
If you opt for the iconic esprit Alpine trim level you'll also have the 4Control advanced system which gives you a four wheel steering system to make driving more accurate and safe. It also gives you a turning circle of 10.1m, very similar to a city car.
Up to 30mph the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the turning circle and above 30mph the rear wheels turn in the same direction to improve road handling and safety at higher speeds.
Overall, the All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid looks like it's going to be an amazing addition to the French brand's catalogue with strong equipment choices, sleek design, and a whole host of cutting edge technology as standard.
Renault are still to announce the pricing and finance options for the new All New Renault Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid and invite you to join the priority list in order to receive these updates when they become available
Contact John Clark Renault in Aberdeen today for more information, to pre-book your test drive, and to pre-order your new model.
