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After much research and several test drives (Qashqai – close second, but boot smaller than Austral + sliding rear bench makes it easier to fit the hoist), MG HS (even smaller boot than Austral), we ordered a Renault Austral in Techno Esprit Alpine trim this morning. £3,245 + £590 for the compact Autochair hoist that will fit in it. They’re in stock but, after an unexpected big bill, we can’t take delivery for 8 weeks. So Christmas prezzie I guess.
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)
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Good choice.
I’m at the ‘test drive’ stage and looking towards the Qashqai and Austral. Which of the Qashqai models was it you tested?The 1.5 e-power Tekna – it recently came back on the scheme. Lovely car but, despite same underpinnings as the Austral, has a slightly smaller boot.
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)Nice one, I am sure the 8 weeks will really drag now!! Great Christmas prezzie BTW
Skoda Enyaq Race Blue
Nice car Confusicated 🙂
The Austra & Qashqai obviously share the same platform but have different power plants and how they drive, did you find the Austral drove better overall?
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)
Congratulations, only 56 sleeps till you get it, have fun.
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.
I was under the impression you drove the e-power qashqai but, totally agree the Austral interior looks nice with it android automotive setup and lights in the door cards.
I hope you have 3yrs of emjoyable motoring with it 🙂
I was under the impression you drove the e-power qashqai but, totally agree the Austral interior looks nice with it android automotive setup and lights in the door cards.
As mentioned above, it was the e-power Qashqai we test drove, in Tekna trim. It just felt more CVT-ish… if that makes sense?
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)
I ordered mine the last week of August, received a call from the dealer last Thursday to say that it had been built. Originally told that it may be next March before delivery but dealer thinks possibly mid November. Gone with Iron Blue with the black Roof.
Ours is a stock car and colour – shadow grey. Would have loved the matt shadow grey with black roof, but that is megabucks extra.
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)Ours is a stock car and colour – shadow grey. Would have loved the matt shadow grey with black roof, but that is megabucks extra.
When we went to look at the Austral a while back, our local dealer said you could have any colour but, warned agains’t the matte as it would scratch more easily and need the full panel painted. I would actually prefer the metallic shadow grey anyway 🙂
We ordered ours about a month ago and got the matte paint at no extra cost. I’ve seen some people say on here that they were told they couldn’t get it but the one in the showroom had that paint and it was stunning. The dealer said they’ve been told they can offer it but like above advised against it because it can be a pain to keep clean but it was too nice not to take it. Sorry to hear you weren’t offered it.
We were told it would be in the U.K. from 18th October and could be 3-4 weeks from then until we get it so fingers crossed it’s not too much longer.
I’ve been test driving for a new car this week. I can order from 23rd Dec. I wasn’t able to for my first car, so you tube etc., determined the SEAT Ateca experience.
Tested the Qashqai Tekna epower this morning, very underwhelmed. Then a spur of the moment drive to Renault in Leamington – purely because of comments on this forum, to test the Austral Hybrid. Iconic a bit too much for me, I wouldn’t miss the extras on offer. I’d rather use the extra money for fuel.
SO different. My Ateca Experience has not got great mpg. The one thing I think I’ll have to miss out on, if I go for the Austral, is self parking.
Austral is top of my list at the moment, mpg, drive, comfort, AP, electric seat adjustment, heated seats and massage function are swaying me. Plus that big arm rest down the centre would be great. I’m short so fixed arm rests are useless when I’m pushed forward and it creates achy shoulders and tiredness.
The display screens are great too. I walloped over every speed bump and pot hole I could and, although noticeable, far less than I was anticipating.
Question. Do I order before or on 2nd Jan in hopes that the AP is reduced???
Order now if you’re fine with it. If it goes down in January your dealer “should” be ok to cancel the original order and input your new one. Big chance to take if you don’t. I’m sure others will be along with some advice.
Order and cancel next quarter if AP is reduced
Austral for example same as BMW imo APs are £1000 over priced
Competion will force things down imo
I’ve been test driving for a new car this week. I can order from 23rd Dec. I wasn’t able to for my first car, so you tube etc., determined the SEAT Ateca experience. Tested the Qashqai Tekna epower this morning, very underwhelmed. Then a spur of the moment drive to Renault in Leamington – purely because of comments on this forum, to test the Austral Hybrid. Iconic a bit too much for me, I wouldn’t miss the extras on offer. I’d rather use the extra money for fuel. SO different. My Ateca Experience has not got great mpg. The one thing I think I’ll have to miss out on, if I go for the Austral, is self parking. Austral is top of my list at the moment, mpg, drive, comfort, AP, electric seat adjustment, heated seats and massage function are swaying me. Plus that big arm rest down the centre would be great. I’m short so fixed arm rests are useless when I’m pushed forward and it creates achy shoulders and tiredness. The display screens are great too. I walloped over every speed bump and pot hole I could and, although noticeable, far less than I was anticipating. Question. Do I order before or on 2nd Jan in hopes that the AP is reduced???
You could order now and request the dealer to reduce the AP, if they fall in January.
However my view is different to yours – The Qashqai E-Power is what Renault hoped for the Austral but didn’t get. Yes the cabin is more modern in the Austral but, the QQ drives more like an EV, with instant power, No dogbox type gearbox to cause a delay (more so than the DCT in the Sportage for example) when accelerating and real world mpg, the QQ will edge the Austral!
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