Your Renault Austral Taxi Review from The Taxi Centre
Learn all about why the Renault Austral hybrid taxi could make a great choice for your next new taxi.
Table of Contents
1. An introduction to the new Renault Austral
2. New Renault Austral taxi specification
3. The new Renault Austral taxi interior and exterior design
4. Renault Austral taxi technology
5. Renault Austral taxi performance
6. The new Renault Austral storage and boot space
7. Safety and reliability of the new Renault Austral taxi
8. Renault Austral cost of ownership
9. Shop Renault Austral taxis at The Taxi Centre
An introduction to the new Renault Austral
A hybrid SUV, the new Renault Austral taxi was released as a replacement for the Renault Kajdar.
With a petrol engine and electric motor, the Austral is favoured for its improved fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions. Keeping things simple with a single efficient powertrain, it’s a great option if you’re looking to improve your eco-credentials.
But what else does it have to offer? Read on for the full review.
New Renault Austral taxi specification
Starting with spec, the Renault Austral taxi is available in a choice of three trims: Techno , Techno Esprit Alpine, and Iconic Esprit Alpine.
We’ve broken down the key differences between the trims for you below:
Techno
- Rubber floor mats
- Heated front & rear windscreen
- Privacy glass
- Variable intermittent front & rear wash/wipe
- Electric front & rear windows
- Blind Spot Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- 12” openR multimedia screen
- Cloth/leatherette upholstery
- 19” Komah alloy wheels
Techno Esprit Alpine
- 20” Daytona alloy wheels
- Electric front seats with lumbar adjustment and massage function
- Ambient interior lighting
- Esprit Alpine leather steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Matrix LED vision headlights
- Esprit Alpine detailing
- Multisense driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Normal)
Iconic Esprit Alpine
- E-call
- OEM internet services
- 3D 360-degree surround camera
- 4Control advanced four-wheel steering
- Electric power boot opening
- Wi-fi Hotspot
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Esprit Alpine detailing
- LED adaptive vision
- Cloth/alcantara upholstery
- 20” Daytona alloy wheels
The new Renault Austral taxi interior and exterior design
Whichever Renault Austral trim you choose, you’re sure to receive a smart, sophisticated design. Starting with the exterior, the chequered grille and chrome-plated horizontal line make for a bold front end. Not to mention the new ‘Nouvel R’ Renault badge.
Chiselled LED lights allow for top-class vision, while signature C-shaped lighting adds a special touch. Plus, with a broad, muscular stance and sporty alloy wheels, the Austral achieves a fun, sporty style.
Inside, the Renault Austral taxi welcomes both you and your passengers with a range of clever design features. The spacious, modular cabin features a rear armrest, front and rear head restraints, and lumbar adjustment to take care of comfort.
The sliding three-seater rear bench also enables enhanced legroom for passengers seated in the back.
In the front, a multifunction leather steering wheel keeps all controls within reach, and 12V power outlets are on hand to charge any devices. With a sliding centre console handrest, you can create the perfect set-up for your workday.
Renault Austral taxi technology
As your mobile office, it’s important to be able to stay connected inside your taxi – another box confidently ticked by the Renault Austral taxi. Using the multimedia system and smartphone connectivity, you can get features like:
- Real-time traffic information
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Internet access
- On-board diagnostics
Whether it’s checking the weather forecast or planning the best route for your passengers, the Renault Austral is ready for the journey.
Impressively, it also offers a comprehensive range of driver assistance systems for a smoother drive. These include:
- Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
- Rear view camera
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Blind Spot Warning
- Driver Attention Alert System
- Lane Change Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
Plus many more! With over 30 of these systems on board, you’re sure to feel confident behind the wheel.
Renault Austral taxi performance
Equipped with a full hybrid powertrain, the Renault Austral makes a great taxi for those not yet ready to commit to electric.
It offers a 400V+2kWh capacity battery, which helps produce up to 200hp. Using this, you can drive with 100% electric power up to 70mph. Thanks to regenerative braking which charges the battery as you drive, there’s no need to plug in.
As for emissions, the Renault Austral is sure to help cut your road tax, producing lower CO2 emissions from just 105g/km. Not neglecting fuel economy, it also offers up to 60.1mpg so you can still get more miles at the pump.
With an automatic transmission, you’ll enjoy a much smoother journey without the hassle of changing gears. Plus, the 4Control advanced system with all-wheel drive gives you greater control when corning and improved grip.
To refine your drive even further, there are four Multisense driving modes. Switch between Comfort, Eco, Sport and Normal to optimise performance whatever the journey.
The new Renault Austral storage and boot space
As a taxi driver, storage and boot space are important. Oftentimes, you’re not just carrying passengers, but all their luggage too.
Whether it’s airport runs or passengers with their weekly food shop, you’ll need plenty of storage space. With the new Renault Austral taxi, you’ll be well set.
The boot offers up to 555 litres of storage, increased to 1,525 litres with the sliding rear bench folded down. With a luggage area divider, you can easily organise and separate luggage as needed.
Other handy storage features include:
- Front door storage pockets which can hold a 1.5-litre bottle
- Sun blind storage compartment for storing cards, badges etc
- Sunglasses holder
- Centre console storage compartment
- Passenger storage drawer
- Centre armrest storage compartment
- Cup holders
- Rear door storage compartment
- Rear seat storage nets
This leaves plenty of options for both you and your passengers to store items during the journey.
Safety and Reliability of the new Renault Austral taxi
If reliability is important when deciding which new taxi is for you, the new Renault Austral is sure to please.
With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Renault Austral is safe and reliable to drive. As standard, it comes with front and rear automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and more to prioritise safety.
In terms of other in-car safety features, the Renault Austral taxi offers all those you would expect such as:
- Driver and passenger airbags
- Seatbelt pretensioners
- Manual rear child locks
- Front side airbags
- Seatbelt load limiter
- Curtain airbags
- Passenger knee airbag
- Tyre pressure monitor
- Pedestrian airbag system
- Fire protection system
As for reliability, the Renault Austral is built to last meaning you can enjoy it for years to come. With a standard manufacturer warranty of three years (60,000 miles), you’re also protected if anything unexpected comes up on the road.
Servicing your Renault Austral is also easy and hassle-free, with a recommended interval of every 18,000 miles. With a Renault ‘EasyLife’ servicing plan from the manufacturer, you can plan ahead and make sure your servicing is all covered.
Renault Austral cost of ownership
Thanks to its lower emissions, good fuel economy and low depreciation, the Austral is cost-effective to run.
With 60.1mpg for the Techno and Techno Esprit Alpine (57.7mpg for the Iconic Esprit Alpine), you can get the most out of your tank. Plus, driving in electric mode will help you make your fuel go even further.
Since the Austral is self-charging, you also won’t have to pay for charging costs. There are also several grants and incentives available for electric and hybrid taxis to help you with the upfront cost.
Shop Renault Austral taxis at The Taxi Centre
At The Taxi Centre, we offer a range of new Renault Austral taxi deals. With our Hire Purchase taxi finance offers, you can split the costs into monthly payments over an agreed term.
Need a little help deciding? Contact our specialist team who will be happy to help find the perfect taxi based on your needs.
We’re here to support you all the way through your journey, and it doesn’t end with your purchase. In our newsroom, you can find lots of helpful advice on everything from improving your customer service to saving money as a taxi driver.
Get the best for you and taxi service at The Taxi Centre.