Renault’s new mid-size family crossover replaces the poor-selling and undistinguished Kadjar, said Top Gear. Available only as a full-hybrid with a three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 400V electric motor, giving 200bhp combined, it comes to the UK early next year. It does 0-62mph in a decent 8.4 seconds, and with good CO2 emissions (104-109g/km), it should have a fairly low company-car tax rate.
The Austral is stylish, with a big grille and boomerang-style headlights, and will be available in a new sportier Esprit Alpine trim, said The Sunday Times. It’s fitted with lots of driver assistance tech, and on paper manages up to 61.4 miles per gallon. For the most part it’s quiet and refined, and it offers 4Control – sharp four-wheel steering – which gives keen handling, but at the cost of ride comfort.
The interior is well built with plenty of soft-touch finishes and great tech, said What Car?. The dash has two huge screens: a 12.3in digital instrument cluster flanked by a 12in intuitive touchscreen, with Google-based voice control. (Thankfully there are still physical controls for climate functions.) With sliding rear seats, you can get ample legroom in the back if you’re willing to sacrifice some boot space. UK price from £35,000.
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