The Renault Austral, which will replace the Kadjar in 2022, changes its philosophy to attack the Peugeot 3008 more head-on. Will it be up to the task?
When it was released in 2015, the Renault Kadjar seemed ready to face the increasingly numerous and sharp competitors. It was without counting on the arrival of the 3008 II the following year, which brought it down very quickly in terms of sales. The Lion is at the head of sales in France and in Europe, and recently exceeded one million sales thanks to a sharper design, a much more modern dashboard and better overall performance. For 2022, Renault is starting from scratch by changing many things on its SUV, starting with its name: Austral. Will these changes be enough to relaunch the battle between the two manufacturers for their compact SUVs? First virtual duel.
Style: A more inspired Austral facing the 3008
The future Renault Austral will opt for a much more inspired look. It should take parts of the new electric Mégane E-Tech, which inaugurates a new stage in Renault style. Thus, as our illustration shows, the Austral will have very thin C-shaped headlights, connected by a black band. The front shield should receive a silver ski and more pronounced air intakes. The size will be hardly more imposing with 2 cm of difference compared to the current Kadjar. At the back, as shown in the first teaser image which revealed the name of the model, we know that he will opt for a headlight band and will integrate the brand’s new logo.
The current generation of the Peugeot 3008 has just been restyled. The model had not aged too much and was satisfied with a few aesthetic alterations : headlights refined and extended by luminous hooks in the bumper, lights revised with reworked claws, new options including the Black Pack which darkens certain logos … In terms of style, it should therefore always appeal to some customers, but will not be able to no longer counting on its interior against the Renault.
Interior: Renault wakes up
Renault intends to revolutionize its interior. On board, the Austral should be inspired by the electric Mégane, with a dashboard decorated with large digital panels arranged in L. The perceived quality should thus jump against the 3008, which had put a hell of a blow to the competition by launching its i-Cockpit five years ago. The materials should be more rewarding on the Renault SUV than before, like the Mégane which opts for recycled fabrics and more elaborate inserts.
Finally hybridization for the Renault
Engine side, the Renault Austral must also review its copy with hybridization in the program. Finally ! Fruit of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the CMF-C platform shared with Nissan’s Qashqai will therefore make it possible to offer micro-hybrid thermal petrol units (in particular the new 3-cylinder 1.2 TCe), from simple hybrids to for the Clio and Captur E-Tech as well as the plug-in hybrid. The first rumors speak of a 280 hp PHEV block. What to place between the two variants of the 3008 Hybrid, which offers 225 or 300 hp depending on the version. The Sochaux SUV does not have micro-hybridization or simple hybrid, which could work in favor of the Diamond. But Renault beware: Peugeot is already planning the arrival in 2023 of a third-generation 3008 which will be entitled to an electric variant! The Austral will therefore have little respite …
Price: on an equal footing?
For the moment, Renault has not yet officially presented its new SUV. The model will be unveiled in spring 2022, and should arrive in dealerships in the fall. According to initial estimates, it should start at around € 32,000, barely more than the € 31,800 required for the new Evolution finish. This is almost as much as the price of a current Peugeot 3008 in its basic version, which starts at 32,350 € with the 130 hp PureTech.
Photos : DR.
To read on Auto-Moto.com:
Future Peugeot 3008 2023 vs future Renault Kadjar 2022: first duel
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 225 vs Volkswagen Tiguan e-Hybrid: PHEV duel
Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric vs Volkswagen ID.3: first comparison
The Renault Austral, which will replace the Kadjar in 2022, changes its philosophy to attack the Peugeot 3008 more head-on. Will it be up to the task?
When it was released in 2015, the Renault Kadjar seemed ready to face the increasingly numerous and sharp competitors. It was without counting on the arrival of the 3008 II the following year, which brought it down very quickly in terms of sales. The Lion is at the head of sales in France and in Europe, and recently exceeded one million sales thanks to a sharper design, a much more modern dashboard and better overall performance. For 2022, Renault is starting from scratch by changing many things on its SUV, starting with its name: Austral. Will these changes be enough to relaunch the battle between the two manufacturers for their compact SUVs? First virtual duel.
Style: A more inspired Austral facing the 3008
The future Renault Austral will opt for a much more inspired look. It should take parts of the new electric Mégane E-Tech, which inaugurates a new stage in Renault style. Thus, as our illustration shows, the Austral will have very thin C-shaped headlights, connected by a black band. The front shield should receive a silver ski and more pronounced air intakes. The size will be hardly more imposing with 2 cm of difference compared to the current Kadjar. At the back, as shown in the first teaser image which revealed the name of the model, we know that he will opt for a headlight band and will integrate the brand’s new logo.
The current generation of the Peugeot 3008 has just been restyled. The model had not aged too much and was satisfied with a few aesthetic alterations : headlights refined and extended by luminous hooks in the bumper, lights revised with reworked claws, new options including the Black Pack which darkens certain logos … In terms of style, it should therefore always appeal to some customers, but will not be able to no longer counting on its interior against the Renault.
Interior: Renault wakes up
Renault intends to revolutionize its interior. On board, the Austral should be inspired by the electric Mégane, with a dashboard decorated with large digital panels arranged in L. The perceived quality should thus jump against the 3008, which had put a hell of a blow to the competition by launching its i-Cockpit five years ago. The materials should be more rewarding on the Renault SUV than before, like the Mégane which opts for recycled fabrics and more elaborate inserts.
Finally hybridization for the Renault
Engine side, the Renault Austral must also review its copy with hybridization in the program. Finally ! Fruit of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the CMF-C platform shared with Nissan’s Qashqai will therefore make it possible to offer micro-hybrid thermal petrol units (in particular the new 3-cylinder 1.2 TCe), from simple hybrids to for the Clio and Captur E-Tech as well as the plug-in hybrid. The first rumors speak of a 280 hp PHEV block. What to place between the two variants of the 3008 Hybrid, which offers 225 or 300 hp depending on the version. The Sochaux SUV does not have micro-hybridization or simple hybrid, which could work in favor of the Diamond. But Renault beware: Peugeot is already planning the arrival in 2023 of a third-generation 3008 which will be entitled to an electric variant! The Austral will therefore have little respite …
Price: on an equal footing?
For the moment, Renault has not yet officially presented its new SUV. The model will be unveiled in spring 2022, and should arrive in dealerships in the fall. According to initial estimates, it should start at around € 32,000, barely more than the € 31,800 required for the new Evolution finish. This is almost as much as the price of a current Peugeot 3008 in its basic version, which starts at 32,350 € with the 130 hp PureTech.
Photos : DR.
To read on Auto-Moto.com:
Future Peugeot 3008 2023 vs future Renault Kadjar 2022: first duel
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 225 vs Volkswagen Tiguan e-Hybrid: PHEV duel
Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric vs Volkswagen ID.3: first comparison
