Renault Austral Driving Review in Tenerife

When you land in Tenerife and grab the keys to a rental car, you want something that can handle a bit of everything. The island is essentially a continent in miniature. You can be baking in the coastal sun one minute and shivering in cold mountain air the next. We recently took the Renault Austral out for a few days to see exactly how it copes with this demanding environment.

The mid-sized crossover market is incredibly crowded, but the Austral brings a distinct French flair to the segment. It aims to offer a refined and comfortable ride for families and couples alike. But a comfortable ride on paper does not always translate to a confident drive on a steep volcanic island. Here is what we found when we put it to the test across the highly diverse roads of Tenerife.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

Our journey began on the TF-1 motorway along the south coast. This road is characterized by long fast sweepers and heavy crosswinds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The Austral feels incredibly planted here. At typical highway speeds of 110-120 km/h, the cabin remains remarkably quiet. The suspension absorbs the expansion joints with a soft thud rather than a harsh crash. You can easily hold a conversation without raising your voice, which makes it a fantastic cruiser if you are planning to drive from the southern airport all the way up to the northern towns.

Things get much more interesting when you turn inland and take the TF-21 climbing to Mount Teide. Driving up to 2,100 metres is a serious test for any vehicle. The air gets noticeably thinner and the temperature drops rapidly. The Austral handled the continuous ascent with surprising composure. The steering is light but accurate, allowing us to place the car exactly where we wanted it on the sweeping mountain bends. Because of the altitude, naturally aspirated engines often feel breathless up here. However, the turbocharged setup in the Austral ensured we always had enough torque to pull out of tight uphill corners without the transmission hunting frantically for gears. The brakes also held up exceptionally well on the long descent back to the coast, showing no signs of fade even after kilometers of continuous downhill use.

Next, we headed north to the Anaga forest roads. This area is famous for being damp, twisty, and often misty. The road surfaces here can be slippery due to fallen leaves and constant moisture. The Austral gave us a strong sense of security in these less predictable conditions. The traction control system intervened smoothly when the front wheels occasionally scrambled for grip on wet patches. The slightly elevated ride height was also a bonus, giving us a clearer view over the dense ferns and low stone walls that line the route.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

The Renault Austral absolutely shines as a touring vehicle. It is comfortable, quiet, and provides a commanding view of the road. The seats are supportive enough to keep backache at bay after a long day of driving around the island. The climate control system is also very efficient, quickly cooling the cabin after the car has been parked in the hot midday sun.

However, we must be honest about its drawbacks. The sheer size of the vehicle becomes a liability on the TF-436 into Masca. This road is notorious for its extremely narrow cliff hairpins and blind corners. Small cars have a distinct advantage here. In the Austral, we found ourselves holding our breath and squeezing tightly against the rock face whenever a local bus or delivery van came the other way. The turning circle is reasonable for its class, but you will still need to execute three-point turns on the tightest switchbacks. If your itinerary heavily features these ancient, narrow mountain passes, you might find a smaller hatchback less stressful to navigate.

The slightly thick A-pillars also create a minor blind spot when tackling tight roundabouts, which is something you need to be mindful of when interacting with the fast-paced local traffic.

Practical notes

If you are staying in the popular southern resorts like Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, or Playa de las Americas, parking is something you need to plan for. The streets are busy, and tight parking spaces are the norm. The Austral is equipped with good parking sensors and a clear reversing camera, which are absolute necessities when trying to squeeze into a blue-line meter spot near the beach. Just be prepared to pass up the smallest parallel spaces that a compact car could easily slot into.

Fuel economy was impressive throughout our test. Despite the heavy fuel consumption associated with climbing a volcano, the car balanced it out with excellent efficiency on the motorways. For those looking at options, we drove the automatic 1.2-litre Renault Austral, which provided a great balance of power for the hills and fuel efficiency for the long coastal stretches. Prices generally start from EUR 90/day, which represents solid value for a vehicle of this size and capability.

Luggage space is another strong point. The boot easily swallowed two large hard-shell suitcases, a couple of soft duffel bags, and our day packs with room to spare. The load lip is relatively low, making it easy to slide heavy bags in and out after a long flight. This makes it an ideal choice for families of four or groups of friends traveling with plenty of gear.

Verdict

Our time with the Renault Austral proved that it is a highly capable companion for exploring Tenerife. It eats up motorway miles in absolute comfort and tackles the steep ascent to Mount Teide with ease. While it might feel a bit too wide for the nerve-wracking drops of Masca, it makes up for it with excellent practicality, a refined cabin, and a smooth ride. If you want a comfortable, spacious vehicle that makes touring the island a relaxing experience, the Austral is a fantastic choice.

Where to book the Renault Austral in Tenerife

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