The Renault Arkana arrived in 2021 and slots into Renault’s range between the Captur and Kadjar. It’s the size of the latter but actually based on the former, and aims to give customers a more stylish option without the price tag associated with the likes of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which have been making coupe SUVs for several years now.
The Arkana’s far from perfect, and doesn’t have the driving fun you might expect from a car with such a swoopy roofline. But it’s practical and frugal, and unlike some similarly-shaped SUVs, is hardly any less practical than more conventional SUV models. With fairly significant savings on the used market, it really can give you a little flash for relatively little cash.
You might be familiar with sporty SUVs from premium brands like the BMW X2, but it’s the Cupra Formentor and Mazda CX-30 that are probably closest to the Arkana at similar money. Both are better to drive than the Renault, though the Mazda is notably less spacious than the Renault.
The idea of a coupe SUV is nothing new but fewer manufacturers outside the premium brands have given it a go, so if you like the idea but can’t stretch to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, then the Renault Arkana is one option to get the style without the price tag.
To do so, you’ll have to accept that the Arkana isn’t the best-driving SUV out there. The ride quality can feel quite harsh over some surfaces (at least on the larger 18-inch wheel options), and you don’t get agile or engaging handling as a tradeoff. In this respect, those premium coupe SUVs are a little more rounded.
Renault has offered both turbocharged petrol mild hybrid, and full hybrid versions of the Arkana since its debut, and we reckon you’ll enjoy driving the former more. It’s not quite as fuel efficient, but it feels quicker and the engine is more refined. Obviously, the engine in the hybrid isn’t always running, but when it does kick in, it’s far from being the smoothest engine of its type. It’s more efficient around town though, which could appeal to some buyers.
The Arkana’s interior is much like that of the smaller Renault Captur, but that’s not a bad thing - the Captur has one of the better cabins in its class. It looks smart, is well finished, and despite the sloping roof line, there’s no great penalty in terms of space - the 480 litre boot is a pretty good size too.
While conventionally-shaped SUVs might not be much more practical than the Arkana, quite a few are better to drive. The Cupra Formentor is among the best outside of premium-badged models, as it handles well and has some higher-performance options too, while the Mazda CX-30 takes a similarly stylish tack to the Renault and Cupra. But if you’re prepared to look at cars one or two years older than an Arkana in your budget, then don’t rule out cars like the BMW X2 and Audi Q2.
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To drive, we like the TCe 140 Micro Hybrid the most, thanks to the low-down punch of its turbocharged engine, and for the slick feel of the manual gearbox it was initially offered with. It was initially cheaper too, something that should carry over to the used market, but with only the full hybrid now available, expect to find more of them on used forecourts as time goes on. The E-Tech hybrid does make sense for urban journeys though.
The top spec RS Line and later Esprit Alpine models look quite expensive, so we’d suggest looking a little further down the range for better value; it’s not like even the entry-level Arkanas are badly equipped, with their LED headlights, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and alloy wheels. As ever, mid-spec models (S Edition in earlier cars, Techno in later ones) tend to find the best balance of kit and price.
Renault Arkana TCe 140 Micro Hybrid: The Arkana’s ‘micro hybrid’ engine is just Renault’s way of saying its 1.3-litre, 140PS turbocharged petrol engine has a starter-generator to recoup electrical energy to power air conditioning and other functions without as much load on the engine. It’s actually the quicker of the two Arkana engines with a 9.8-second 0-62mph time (with the standard 7-speed dual clutch automatic - a manual was available in earlier cars), with economy up to 48.7mpg.
Renault Arkana E-Tech 145 Hybrid: Despite a little more power at 145PS, the full hybrid Arkana, with a 1.6-litre non-turbo petrol engine and a pair of electric motors, gets from 0-62mph a second slower than the micro hybrid at 10.8 seconds. Combined economy is better though, at up to 57.6mpg.
Renault updated the Arkana trim lineup in 2023, with Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine lines, roughly replacing the previous Iconic, S Edition, and RS Line. With more of the older models on the market we’ve concentrated on these below but beyond a few visual changes and small equipment differences - and the post-2023 models only being offered with the E-Tech 145 Hybrid engine - you’re looking at a three-tier range topped by a model influenced by Renault’s performance brands.
The Renault Arkana Iconic got 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, fabric upholstery, a synthetic leather steering wheel, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six-speaker audio, automatic air conditioning, a card key, and electrically adjustable and heated mirrors.
The Renault Arkana S Edition added auto main beams, adaptive cruise control, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, satin grey skid plate elements for the front and rear bumpers, darker window tints, fabric and synthetic leather trim, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, customisable driving modes, and a 9.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation and a 4G connection.
The Renault Arkana RS Line got sportier exterior styling inspired by the brand’s Renault Sport models, a different 18-inch wheel design, hands-free parking assist, electric height adjustment for the front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, RS Line interior trim with suede-effect surfaces, a perforated leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, and carbon-look interior trim elements.
The Renault Arkana’s dimensions are:
Length: 4568mm
Width: 1821mm (without mirrors), 2034mm (with mirrors)
Height: 1576mm
The Renault Arkana’s boot size is:
480 litres
1263 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)
As the TCe 140 engine is classed as a hybrid, even if that’s mostly marketing-speak, it qualifies for a small price reduction on your annual VED or ‘road tax’, attracting a £170 per year bill. And despite the E-Tech being a proper hybrid and more fuel efficient, you’ll pay exactly the same in tax for that, too.
Even if it costs no less to tax, the E-Tech models do at least cost less to insure than the TCe. Insurance groups for the full hybrid Arkana models range from 14-17 depending on trim level, while the TCe starts in group 18 in Iconic trim and rises to group 19 for the same engine in sporty RS Line trim.
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