Renault Austral in line for major refresh after just one year on sale
Renault’s mid-size SUV could borrow some styling elements from the Scenic EV and Rafale coupe
Cars aren’t typically given any major updates until a few years after their launch, but it looks like the Renault Austral is about to get a facelift after just 14 months on sale. The changes are likely to be two-fold, focusing firstly on addressing criticism regarding the mid-size SUV's powertrain integration; while interior tech is on-point, a clunky gearbox and fidgety ride let the SUV down.
Judging by these pictures and the heavy camouflage, we expect Renault will take the opportunity to give its Toyota RAV4 rival a quick nip and tuck – bringing it more closely in line with recent additions to the range, such as the pure-electric Scenic, Rafale coupe-SUV and Symbioz family car which all feature Renault’s latest brand identity and design language. The same goes for the facelifted version of the Captur small SUV.
The Austral will probably borrow a lot of styling cues from the Rafale, which shares the same CMF-CD platform. This means the facelifted model should get a bolder look, as well as the Rafale’s three-dimensional front grille that consists of individual scales.
Based on our spy pictures, the Austral is going to receive a sharper set of headlights and tail-lights. It should also get the same vertical LED strakes found on the Rafale, and the other Renault models we mentioned. The interior may also benefit from some new material choices and updated graphics, which again would be taken from the Rafale.
The changes could help the Austral stand out more in the hotly contested mid-size SUV class, where it competes with best-sellers like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Peugeot 3008 and Volkswagen Tiguan.
In the UK, the Austral is available exclusively with a 197bhp E-Tech full-hybrid powertrain which could be tweak the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine after it drew some initial criticism. There's also a need to make sure it complies with the latest Euro 7 emissions legislation. A poor ride was another problem the Austral faced when it launched and Renault may look to solve this with revised springs and dampers for the new car.
We expect the updated Renault Austral will arrive sometime in early 2025. The brand has a lot going on at the moment, having just introduced its new Symbioz hybrid SUV and preparing for the launch of the hotly anticipated Renault 5 E-Tech.
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