I haven't seen any Renault Austral owners here yet - maybe do a search for Clio E-Tech (Arkana E-Tech?), different engine but may have a similar drivetrain/gearbox....

There have been a few comments on high revs on hills and how the gearbox holds onto gears which might be worth reading before a test drive. I've seen some good reviews though.

 

Hi, thank's, have a Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid at present and this does exactly the same as you described, paddle shifters sort it out but it is a pain. Test drove one around town, easy and comfortable, have asked for another to see how a 1.2 engine responds to the open road. Car has a few silly design faults, but overall very nice inside and out.

 

have one nothing but problems 19 upto nom all related to soft wear try mirrors when selecting rev look what happens trying to return mine

 

Presume you mean the soft ware. Is it problems all over the features, or just when trying to select the rev counter and using the mirrors. Any problems would be nice to know about, if you have the time to tell me. Sorry about your problems, hope you get it resolved .

 

General comment about brand new Renault models - Lots of issues reported on Forums like this one. Let me clarify I've not owned an Austral (or an Arkana) but it seems Renault use the public to de-bug the beta-software, or something like that!
Like mentioned above by ajc, do a search first.

 

Reading various French websites the following things have been reported as problems by more than one person.
1) Engine electrics not shutting down when leaving the car. This runs the battery down and then creates all sorts of error codes. There is a software update to solve it. All cars made from late August 23 have already been fixed.
2) Several turbo failures.
3) Air conditioning gets stuck heating one side of the car. Needs a valve replacement to fix.
4) Parking sensors not working properly. Seems to be linked to dirt and dust.
5) Mirrors not folding or unfolding. A software error.
6) Speed limit not displaying properly on the head up display. A software error.
7) Wind noise around the mirrors. A new design is planned and will be available for retrofitting on request.
8) There are many other complaints but most of these seem to relate to the owners not understanding that they need to have both the Orange mobile and Google accounts activated for some of the mapping and entertainment features to work. Obviously when the free Orange subscription ends you either need to use your own mobile phone to download data or you need to pay for an Orange account. The latter looks to be quite an expensive data plan.

 

hi andy just a quick question re the new Renault Astral we have the 23 model Alpine love the car BUT hubby was cleaning it and topping up the windscreen washer and though he would just check the engine oil , well that was a disaster as he found water in the dipstick so proceeded to check the oil filler which was full or foamy oil and water . weve been onto the dealer and they said it's a characteristic of the car which is a load of rubbish . Anyone else heard of this as Renault won't do anything
thank in advance Sandy

 

....... it seems Renault use the public to de-bug the beta-software, or something like that! .......

This is becoming more common (again?) - VW ID3 seemed to have various problems which are reputedly cured with the new model, and I was reading that Kia and Hyundai have a few models (including the 'class leading' Ioniq) which are having electrical problems, often after a few thousand miles, which are putting them off the road, and have seen a 'class action lawsuit' in USA. Funny how little you see in the press about these things!

It's as if software and systems which work in the lab can't operate in the outside world!

 

Nice

 

Thank's. A lot to think about there. From what I gather, they just get one load of problems fixed with an update, then another set of problems spring up. Have heard that some people have had no problems at all, but it does seem that the majority are having one problem or another, admittedly mostly software, which is annoying but can be fixed,but there are cases of serious defects that are worrying. The problems arising are so varied, it is hard to say the car is no good because of this or that. If Renault did not have such a history in the past and add on the present problems I really am thinking of cancelling my order. Shame, because I think the car looks good.

 

Had my Astral iconic now for about a month and it is going in on Tuesday to have the software reprogramed after total power failure while overtaking at 70 mph on the A1M. Renault/RAC rescue a waste of space and never did turn up, but I found the car rebooted itself after being shut down for 1/2 hour. and having spoken to the dealership in Edinburgh they told me just to drive it gently till the reprograming is done and I should be fine, ad so far it has. Rather enjoying driving it, but there are sharp edges on the edge of the door windows that catch clothing and I also having problem's with the 'easy access' seats programming which I hope will be sorted next week as well.

 

I saw one actually on the road (as opposed to in the showrooms) yesterday in Buxton, not a bad looking car (in my opinion) but it'd look better in a brighter colour than grey.

 

Getting mine in white with black roof. Have seen 2 now, one grey and one blue. Still undecided wether to get it. As there is no definite time for arrival, have a bit of time to see how many problems crop up.

 

Software problems seem to be fairly common on many manufacturers vehicles, a case of using the customers as the 'Beta-testers' I'm afraid. It's not too long ago that Renault did an update to the current multimedia software that 'bricked' the units, but they didn't take down the update, so many more units were affected than need have been the case. It all got sorted in the end, but it brassed off a lot of customers needlessly. I guess those buying a new model such as the Austral will have to accept possible problems, but at least it'll all be under the warranty for repairs. In my case, the Arkana , though new to the UK in November 2021, had been sold in Russia since 2019 under the Dacia brand as a basic model, so had time to iron out most if not all snags.

 

Seems to be very few mechanical problems so far and everything reported is so varied affecting so many different things on the car that it seems more like they rushed it out and let us be the guinea pigs rather than one or two main issues affecting all cars. Updates are coming out from Renault, but it seems most problems are being dealt with by dealers. Do expect problems on a new car, had my Hyundai Tuscon 8 months from new and it has problems, not serious, just annoying. Wife has a Sandero Stepway 15 plate, had it from nearly new, not a single problem, apart from tyres and replacement cambelt, it has been one of our best buys.

 

The Moral" Wait 20 years till a car has been re-badged and all problem's have been solved"

 

Hope you have better luck than me. I recieved mine at the end of august .Noticed after a few days the engine/ gearbox was starting to get rough and noisy. After two weeks of no improvement ,my dealer looked at the car and they said it was a software problem in the gearbox unit, ie computor.Renault knows about it. I have been in old diesel Ford Transit vans that were quieter. This austral when the engine starts vibrates the car is very noisey more like a well worn abused diesel engine not having a good day. In a word crap, especially for such an expensive motor. Oh and the battery is useless under normal driving it depletes in minutes and never fully charges. It has a very poor range and is constantly recharging, I should have gone with my first choice and got my C5 Aircross. The drive would be less noisy and the ride very smooth. All in all Im disapointed and not very happy, Renault might have a program fix mid october. Im not very hopefull because If they knew theres a problem why not fix it before delivering the damn cars. Only a week or two left and if not fixed then back goes the car and a refund or replacement. Im taking no crap or excuses as many companies like dragging things out.

 

Don't think is just Renault. I had a BMW 218i for the last 7 years that I bought new and up until the beginning of this year only had one problem a few years ago when the electronic hand break refused to release and it took 6 weeks to fix. But back in March after a full Service, Mot & Health Check whole front suspension collapsed on the motorway after only doing under 300 miles. Dealership stated that it was 'Wear & Tear' [car had only done 42000 miles] that could not be detected during inspection because of plastic coating on front springs so here is a bill for £2500. Dealership would not budge & BMW refused to reply to my complaint, But I have liked BMW for many years so went and bought a new iX3 from another dealership. So many problems encountered in the first 10 days I took it back and demanded my money back, which I got . So it is not just Renault experiencing problems with new teck!

 

Don't think any manufacturer has yet got away from the"Monday Morning" or "Friday Afternoon" built cars yet. Even though many so-called 'New' models are often mechanically similar to previous ones, electrically/electronically they're often pushing technology boundaries, using customers as the 'Beta-Testers'. So many cars nowadays, wether petrol, diesel, hybrid or full electric are full of so much technology you never knew you needed, often pushed as a safety feature, but in practice to seemingly make cars as 'idiot-proof' as possible, no wonder when you see "Caution, contents may be hot" on takeaway coffee cups or "Caution, water may be hot" above taps in public toilets. Dumbing down seems to be the 'In' thing presently, or is it maybe that education nowadays is so mediocre that people need protecting from themselves, and manufacturers are "Covering their Corporate ar$es" in todays "Where there's blame, there's a claim" society.

 

They always say new models have issues to resolve and it seems the Austral is no different. The one common factor I am reading in reviews is the firmness of the ride with those 20 inch wheels on relatively skinny side wall tyres. Most reviews seem based on a drive in the Iconic top spec model with 4 wheel multi link suspension / steering.
Not much being written about the mid range and base spec ride quality using conventional torsion bar components. My wife has a dodgy back so it is a concern, if true.
Can anyone comment on this aspect ? especially on our pot holed roads in uk.

It seems renault share out the same test model for the reviewers to drive on predetermined Spanish smooth motorway roads which are not representative of ours. It annoys me when reviewers quote all the top spec items included on the car when in fact, they obviously are not all on the mid range or base spec models, thus creating a false sense of information, and half the time they incorrectly identify the model range untill the sunroof is shown in the clip which is a giveaway as to the top spec model option.

I have the mid range on order but must admit I am doubting myself sometimes when comparing the softer handling of my current 2020 Qashqai.
I am thinking of asking for a 24 hour test drive to help me decide while I can still change my mind.

Let us know about the ride please.
Cheers.
Mr Rugby

 

Hi, I own mid range Austral the ride isn't overly bad, feel a few bumps but nothing major.
However the engine over revs like a tractor plus many other issues it's just constant software update after another.
Mines been rejected under the consumer rights act 2015.

 

One item that I will surely miss is the 360 degree camera with overhead view option which I currently have on my qashqai and is not on the mid range techno esprit alpine spec.
Can current owners comment on maneuvering this large car, ie.. parking etc and can the reverse camera display be enlarged or is it a fixed size on the enormous tablet central screen.

Also during a short test drive that my wife trialed, the lumber back massage function actuator had stopped in a position where it was uncomfortable on her back when it switched off.. It was difficult to get it to stop in a suitable position that didn't protrude when it was switched off.
Can current owners confirm if it's final position forms part of the memorized seat position function or is it a random stopping position that will either be painful or comfortable.
Cheers again

Mr rugby.

 

Hi. I’ve had my Esprit Alpine 18mths. The car is easy to manoeuvre due to its 4Control 4 wheel steering which gives it a tighter turning circle than a Clio. The 360 camera is excellent and helps with manoeuvring too. I don’t see it enlarge on reverse but as it gets closer to an obstacle you get a downward view appear. On the camera below the front Renault badge you can manually select a downward view appear. As regards the seat massage I don’t use it often but there are 3 modes and I’ve found the top one doesn’t stop in odd positions so perhaps try switching mode before switching off.

 

Quote...."Hope you have better luck than me. I recieved mine at the end of august" .

How are things now JM, Have things settled down or are you still having issues.
What was the issue and was it resolved.

mr rugby

 

Hi Mr R, just back from Benidorm still knackered from flight etc.I will give you update tomorrow evening.

 

I had a new Austral in November 2023 as my mobility car. What a load of rubbish. I was advised by friends not to buy Renault but did not listed.
Constant electric problems: Interior lights come on whilst driving and will not go off (Lovely driving in the dark with interior lights on) Went in twice for a resolution to the problem but it is still happening. It keeps telling me that I have crashed and constant lateral warnings. The poor dealer in Weston Super Mare has tried to resolve but still constant problem. They were moderately helpful.
Latest problem was with front camera and brakes. Off road for nearly a week again and hopefully now resolved.
Mobility asked me if I wanted the car any more. It is going back on Friday to go back into auction. Some other poor sole will have a can of worms! I will never buy Renault again. Would seriously review your decision. My car lasted just 10 weeks.

 

We have had Renault Clios for over 20 years (5 cars bought new or nearly new), they have provided trouble free motoring (OK, one won't start, need a new battery moment!) and it really frustrates me to hear the troubles people are having with some new Renault models.

Sounds like Renault have some work to do, and Mart...... I'm with you, time to offload and move on!

 

I have an Austral - haven’t seen many others about, two more I think - so fairly exclusive here in northeast Wales.
I have no complaints. Very economical as it loosens up and plenty of go when required.

 

Must admit, there are plenty around here in Central Scotland, and I've never seen one "with the bonnet up", so presumably more happy owners!

 

In my opinion this is the worst vehicle I have ever driven and I've driven, cars,vans ,lorries and cranes this might be comfortable in comparison but a heap of crap.
1st week only 62 miles on the clock and it sounds like I'm driving a tank over a big bag of bricks, revving is awful, dealership told ne an update would sort it, took it in all updated so I thought great all sorted.
I was so wrong, the issues just piled up,
After the update the alarm keeps going off, apple car play keeps losing connection, radio signal is now crackling and the car keeps telling me I'm about to have a collision and the screen is flashing red and steering wheel vibration as a warning when there is nothing around me.
Wind noise above 30-35mph is also awful.
Car has been rejected today and I'm waiting on a refund, after an argument with the sales manager because apparently I have to let them fix it??? I think not.
In my opinion DON'T BUY IT.

 

Sorry forgot to say, the update did not fix the over revving.

 

Good evening I have purchased 3 brand new Austral's my first two were the Austral tcno esprt alpine both in shadow grey matte I have just purchased the top range iconic in pure white I have incurred no issues at all in any model, the features on the iconic are great from 360 camera puddle lights showing the renault badge, when you open the doors in the dark the sun roof the hamon kardon hi fi system to larger dash graphics cornering lights built in fog lights to the front voice activated google that switches the kettle on in doors while driving home to remote boot release that now chimes to the massaging seats these cars are a dream come true in my previous two models I was achieving 156 miles per gallon I do not speed over 56mph I am old, I have set up the apps on the media system and love this car I have now purchased over 169 brand new cars since aged 17 and this car is a dream I have experienced no issues so well done Renault please go buy the Austral try it for yourself you will be amazed at the techno in this car the iconic model it sets standards above and beyond thanks for reading this I am genuine and do not work for Renault

 

The hybrid battery is supposed to work in this way - it's just a buffer between the combustion engine and the wheels. The computer will never charge it full, as you need some room in case of regen braking. Typically it stays in the 25%-75% charge level range and that's how it should be. I hope they fixed the noise problem on your Austral.