Renault Kadjar: new name, new luck

Instead of the usual development work by means of a technology update, Renault pressed the stop button and parked a new model in the heavily frequented SUV segment with the Austral. New name, new luck – this strategy could work. The future fitness of the Austral manifests itself, among other things, as follows: Its language assistant understands (almost) everything (more about this in the “Interior” section), digital is everywhere, and – which was almost unthinkable in an SUV until recently – there is no longer a diesel engine .

Design: The front is quite bulky, and the large wheels also give the SUV a “The road belongs to me” aura (there are people who like that), but the Austral is also quite sporty and elegant.

Inner space: A large monitor dominates the center of the dashboard, which nevertheless does not protrude into the field of vision of the windshield. Not every manufacturer places the fashionable screens so cleverly. The ambience with the comfortable seats has a high-quality effect, and the materials and workmanship also indicate the business class category. In the Austral you not only sit comfortably, you are also well connected online thanks to the Google Assistant. The voice control works almost perfectly, small misunderstandings included. Instead of calling my “Schatzi” as ordered, “Alexa” (or whoever) connected me to the company “Schatz Feinkost & Gastro GmbH” in Amstetten. Close miss…

Landing gear: You hardly notice that the Austral, like all SUV high-rise buildings, is a bit overweight. The special feature, the (optional) all-wheel steering, reduces the turning circle, which keeps the stress level low, especially when maneuvering in angled underground car parks.

Engine: In the OÖN test car, a four-cylinder petrol engine with 158 hp made the speed that only a slim 1333 cubic centimeters displacement was available, which was only audible under full load. The seven-stage CVT transmission requires a relaxed gait, hectic people would probably prefer to be violent when switching. In the OÖN test, the Austral swallowed around seven liters per 100 kilometers. As an alternative, there is a full hybrid variant with 200 hp, the Frenchman does not (yet) drive purely electrically.

Conclusion: With the Austral, Renault parks an SUV model that is up to date. It remains to be seen whether the name will be remembered longer than that of its predecessor Kadjar.

Renault Austral Mild Hybrid 160

Price: from 32,250 euros
OÖN test car: 39,300 euros

Engine: Four-cylinder petrol engine, direct injection
Displacement: 1333 cc
Output: 116 kW (158 hp) at 5250 – 5500 rpm
Max. torque 270 Nm at 1800 – 3750 rpm

Consumption (WLTP):
Combined: 6.2 – 6.3 l
OÖN test: 7.0 l
Tank/Fuel Type: 55L/Gasoline

Environment: Euro 6d Full
CO2 emissions: 141/143 g/km

Drive: front
Transmission: 7-speed CVT automatic

Mileage:
0 to 100 km/h: 9.7 seconds
Top: 175 km/h

Dimensions & Weights:
L/W/H: 4510/1825/1644 mm
Wheelbase: 2667mm
Empty weight: 1546 kg
Max. total weight: 2003 kg
Trunk: 575/1575 l
Trailer load used: 1800 kg
unbraked: 740 kg

Guarantee: 2 years/can be extended to 5 years at extra cost

Plus: plenty of space, digital helpers, fine design inside and out
Minus: somewhat sluggish automatic