• Renault claims 60.1mpg for its hybrid system
• Real-world figures in the low-to-mid-50mpg range
• Fewer components should mean less maintenance

What are the running costs?

Renault says the Austral’s hybrid system can return 60.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, which is impressive for a self-charging family SUV. The Toyota RAV4 manages up to 51.3mpg under the same test programme, while the Hyundai Tucson musters a best-case figure of 50.4mpg.

There always seems to be a bit of air in WLTP fuel economy figures, but our testing suggests the Austral can achieve between 50 and 55mpg in the real world, when driven carefully. This is thanks to the software controlling the powertrain.

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Renault says the SUV can motor around on electric power alone for 80 percent of the time – and when the battery runs flat, the engine can be used to charge it back up without driving the wheels. That’s a more efficient way of tapping the energy stored in the fuel, working on the same principles as the Nissan Qashqai’s E-Power hybrid system.

Renault also says the Austral has a low CO2 output of 105g/km, which is much lower than the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, which will help to keep road tax and company car tax down. Finance deals should be favourable, too, because analysts from CAP HPI anticipate the Austral will have the best residual value in the hybrid family SUV segment.

Servicing and warranty

Renault recommends you service the Austral every 12 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. The company has also designed a connected maintenance system which can inform drivers when their car will need repairs. The technology can predict the wear of the car’s tyres, brakes and battery – and even offer to schedule their replacement if required.

Every new Renault comes with a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, although the first two years of the package operate on an unlimited mileage basis. That’s not bad, but it looks a little stingy alongside the seven-year warranties from Suzuki and MG, or the stellar 10-year warranty offered with the Toyota RAV4.

Reliability

• Renault promises good reliability
• Odd gearbox has fewer components
• Company’s current record is good

The Austral is an all-new car, so we don’t really have a yardstick for how reliable it’ll be. It’s also the first vehicle to feature Renault’s latest 1.2-litre petrol hybrid powertrain, although components from the system can be found in other cars. Its strange clutchless gearbox, for example, is pretty much identical to the unit found in the Dacia Jogger Hybrid.

Renault’s engineers told us that their new gearbox will be more reliable and lower maintenance than a traditional automatic gearbox. There’s very little friction between the parts and there are no clutch plates to wear out. As such, the units are sealed for life, which means that’s one less job to do each time the Austral goes for its annual service.