TEST – The SUV with the most difficult powertrain is the most economical to drive

In an earlier comparison, driving characteristics and prices were central. The Seat Ateca turned out to be the nicest SUV to drive. Quite special, because the Spanish SUV is the oldest of the quartet. Only that purchase price …

In addition to the Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca and Volvo XC40, the Renault Austral, the latest SUV of the bunch, will also be present. Something strange is going on with the Nissan Qashqai: it is equipped with a petrol engine, but nevertheless drives electrically. huh!? Here’s how: the Nissan is powered by a three-cylinder turbo engine that works together with an electric motor. The petrol engine is only used to generate electricity. The drive is completely electric – and that’s how the car drives.

Thanks to the fixed ratio of the transmission, you take off in a straight line from the starting blocks towards top speed. You don’t have to switch, because there is only one gear. You are on the hundred in 7.9 seconds, and with your right foot kicked in the carpet you hear the petrol engine generate power at high speed. The same effect as in a car with a continuously variable transmission, such as the Toyota Corolla Cross.

The Renault Austral is also struggling with its powertrain. It also has a three-cylinder turbo engine and an electric motor, but in the Renault, both the petrol and the electric motor provide direct power delivery to the driven front wheels. The transmission is special. In short, it revolves around an automated transmission in which the electric motor uses two separate gears and the petrol engine uses four gears.

Temperamental

What you especially notice about that are the long pauses when switching between two gears. When the 200 hp Renault Austral switches between the petrol and electric motor, this is also accompanied by jerks. And even when you keep your gas foot in one position, the drive of the Renault Austral shows itself to be temperamental.

More comparative tests that make it easier for you to choose?

You can find them in our free, weekly newsletter!

Low consumption

No matter how difficult the powertrain of the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Austral is, as an owner you benefit nicely from relatively low consumption. The test consumption of both SUV models is very neat: 6.2 l/100 km (1 in 16.2). In the city, the on-board computer even showed a consumption of less than 1 in 20. The test consumption deviates considerably from the specified consumption (Nissan: 1 to 18.9 and Renault: 1 to 21.7), but that does not alter the fact that you drive more economically with these SUVs than with the Seat Ateca and the Volvo XC40, which have a note test consumption of 1 to 11.4 and 1 to 13.0 respectively.

Big quality gain

The Renault Austral is on the same CMF-C platform as the Nissan Qashqai, but is almost 10 centimeters longer. When you open the door, you immediately feel that Renault has made great quality gains. Compared to its predecessor, the Kadjar, the new Austral makes a much stronger and more solid impression. The interior is beautifully finished. Our test car is a very complete Techno esprit Alpine, which is equipped with 20-inch light metal and partly Alcantara-upholstered seats. They are electrically operated and have a massage function. The blue stitching in the upholstery completes the visual feast.

Much more important, however, is the available space. In fact, you’re fine everywhere, but where the extra length has gone compared to the Nissan Qashqai … Joost knows! The other three test cars have more legroom in the back, the old-timer Seat Ateca also has a few centimeters more headroom to offer.

Read the full test of the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Austral, Seat Ateca and Volvo XC40 Auto Review 04/2023.