We both preferred the Austral from a comfort POV – the seats felt much more supportive and my wife says it’s more comfortable than our current Kuga Vignale.. The Qashqai drove very nicely, but you could feel the CVT thing going on sometimes. The Austral’s powertrain felt much smoother and a little more powerful.
We were worries that those big 20″ wheels might make it twitchy over bumps. We did not find it so, and the unacompanied test drive took in cit, country and dual carriageway driving.
Being a tech head, I much prefer the big screens in the Austral.
Only real downside is that it is a little dark inside. Unlike the Qashwai, the trim levels available on Motability do not have a sunroof.
Current: MY24 Renault Austral Iconic FHD.
Ordered 5/2/26: Chery Tiggo 8 'Summit' ICE
Previous Motability cars:
2013 Ford Focus estate auto.
2016 Vauxhal Zafira 1.4T SE Auto.
2019 Ford Kuga Vignale 1.5 auto AWD. (Ext lease)