Hot car deal: Full-hybrid Renault Austral for £238 a month

Mid-size SUVs are some of the best-selling cars in the UK, with models like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage crowding practically every supermarket, school run and high street. The Renault Austral doesn’t enjoy quite the same popularity as these models, but that’s not to say it isn’t as good. In fact, the Austral offers some of the best cabin tech in its class, along with a comfortable ride and an efficient hybrid engine. If you’re in the market for a mid-size family car, this £238-a-month deal should be on your radar.

What’s so good about this Renault Austral deal? 

This Renault Austral lease deal is offered by Lease4Less, and runs for two years. It stood out to us with its low monthly payments of just £238.37, which is the same money you’d pay for many much smaller hatchbacks. An upfront payment of £2,860.44 is required, but this can be decreased if you’re willing to pay slightly more each month. There’s also a limit of 5,000 miles per year but this can be extended if you expect to cover longer distances – just be prepared to pay a bit more each month and upfront.

You shouldn’t be put off by the fact that the Austral in this deal is in entry-level Techno trim. Sure, pricier models get fancy features such as a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree parking camera, but the base Austral is still better equipped than many of its rivals. You get some of the best in-car tech in this segment, including a 12-inch digital driver’s display and a 12.3-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen. They’re clear, easy to use and complemented by a standard-fit head-up display. The Austral Techno’s 19-inch wheels may not look as stylish as the 20-inch set fitted to higher trims, but we found that they ride more comfortably on our patchy British roads.

There’s only one engine available for the Austral: a 1.2-litre petrol full hybrid. That may sound like a tiny engine for a big SUV, but the engine works with an electric motor to produce 196bhp – more than enough to get the Austral swiftly up to speed. Importantly, it’s an efficient system, returning around 60mpg, and can even cover short distances in pure-electric mode around town.

What’s so good about the Renault Austral?

We like the Renault Austral because it isn’t trying to be anything other than a practical, comfy family SUV. There are no sporty intentions here – just a well-appointed cabin, big boot, and a fuel-sipping hybrid engine. It may miss out on the space-age styling of the latest rivals, and the lack of four-wheel drive could put off some buyers, but the Austral delivers what many families need in a safe and practical package. At well under £250 per month, we think the Austral is a lot of car for the money.

Anything else I need to know about this deal?

This is a lease deal, often referred to as Personal Contract Hire (PCH), so there’s no option to buy the car at the end of the contract. You are effectively renting the car for the two-year term, but the deal is very flexible so you can adjust the term length, mileage limit and initial payment size to suit, but only at the outset. Once the deal is over, you just hand the keys back and start looking for your next car.

Our hot deals are carefully selected by our car buying experts and they are all subject to change. Always read the full terms and conditions and make sure the car and the deal suits your needs before proceeding.