√Renault Austral confirmed for Australia in 2023

The new compact SUV, twinned with the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai, is due in Australia next year from France.

The 2023 Renault Austral mid-size SUV has been confirmed for sale in Australia next year as the French carmaker looks to boost its SUV presence in showrooms.

The Austral was revealed in Europe in March, as reported at the time by Drive, and now plans for an Australian launch have been confirmed as Renault looks for more impact than it got with the Austral’s predecessor, the Kadjar SUV.

There are no details yet on prices or engine choices for local showrooms, but the Austral is now a definite as Renault Australia looks to spark sales growth in the next three years through the launch of new models.

“Product is key for us in expanding our exposure in Australia,” the general manager of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey, told Drive.

“Austral is in the process of being launch in France now. It’s a terrific product. For Australia, we’re hoping to bring it at the end of next year.”

“We would probably just bring in limited diversity, in terms of drivetrain and model lines.”

Mr Sealey was keen to emphasise the advantages of the Austral over the outgoing Kadjar.

“It’s not really a replacement for Kadjar, it’s a new model. It’s bigger than Kadjar and will have a different drivetrain,” he said.

Apart from the confirmation of Austral, Mr Sealey said Renault Australia is working to secure the all-new Scenic as it switches shape from a people mover to an SUV and becomes an electric vehicle.

“It’s not like the old model. The new Scenic is a very different interpretation,” he said.