New Renault Austral 2025 Looks Like a Baby Rafale – You’ll Be Surprised!

Renault has freshened up the Austral to give it more visual muscle and to keep it relevant in a tough compact SUV segment. This is where it goes head-to-head with the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and the Volkswagen Tiguan. To help it stand out, Renault gave it a facelift that leans into the style of the larger Rafale.

The most obvious updates are at the front. The new hood, bumper, and grille give the Austral a more dynamic face, while embossed diamond patterns now surround the updated Renault logo. The headlights now have a sharper look and come standard with Renault’s adaptive LED Vision system. At the back, you will notice redesigned taillights and refreshed shapes on the upper and middle sections of the tailgate.

Renault now offers the Austral with 19-inch wheels as standard, while 20-inch wheels are available as an upgrade. The Esprit Alpine version adds some sportier touches like black roof rails, dark window trim, and metal side steps. Two new exclusive colors also join the party: Naxos Blue and Satin Pearl White, only available on the Esprit Alpine trim.

Inside, the cabin continues to offer a high-tech experience. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel pairs with a 12-inch touchscreen, and the Esprit Alpine trim adds a head-up display. The Google-powered OpenR Link infotainment system promises smoother functionality. You also get wireless phone charging, four USB Type-C ports, and two 12-volt sockets.

Renault also improved comfort with redesigned front seats that feature thicker bolstering and Alcantara trim with fresh tricolor stitching. Under the hood, things stay the same. A 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine works together with an electric motor and a 1.7-kilowatt-hour battery to deliver 197 horsepower. This hybrid system, called E-Tech 200, is matched with a clutchless multi-mode automatic transmission that powers all four wheels.

The SUV weighs 3,554 pounds and takes 8.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62 miles per hour. Renault has also enhanced the ride with better soundproofing and new powertrain mounts. The trunk has 527 liters of storage, expanding to 1,736 liters when you fold down the back seats. A sliding rear bench adds even more flexibility.