Trunk comparison: Renault Austral vs Renault Clio

Key Differences

The Renault Austral offers a significantly longer loading floor: with the seats folded down, the trunk is +11 in (21%) longer, and with the front seats upright it is +5.9 in (21%) longer than the Clio. The width of the trunk opening is +4.7 in (12%) larger on the Austral, which makes loading wider items easier.

The Clio, on the other hand, has a much greater trunk depth (measured from loading edge → trunk floor): +27.2 in (863%) more than the Austral.

Additionally, the loading edge of the Austral is significantly higher above the road: +21.3 in (225%) compared to the Clio. Smaller differences under 10% include the height of the trunk opening (Clio +0.4 in / 1%) and the narrowest width inside the trunk (Clio +0.8 in / 2%).

Impact on Usability

The longer loading floor of the Austral makes it better suited for long items such as skis, furniture parts, or longer luggage — both with the seats folded down and with the rear seat upright. Together with the 4.7 in wider opening, this facilitates loading wide and long items.

The significantly greater depth offset in the Clio (loading edge → trunk floor) and the lower loading edge mean that loading occurs closer to the ground: heavy items need to be lifted less high, and delicate cargo sits lower in the vehicle.

This can simplify handling heavy loads and securely stowing smaller items. However, the deeper "compartment" in the trunk can make very tall or bulky items that extend beyond the opening harder to access or prone to tipping when removed.

The much higher loading edge of the Austral makes lifting heavy loads during loading more strenuous but at the same time reduces the risk of cargo sliding into the passenger compartment during braking.

In practice, this means: for regularly lifted heavy items, the Clio is more comfortable; for long and wide cargo, the Austral is more practical.

The slightly greater opening height and somewhat larger narrowest width of the Clio are insignificant in practice compared to the differences mentioned above.