summary
Coupe-style SUVs are popular with upscale brands, but the Renault Arkana is one of only a few of these slimmer crossovers made by mainstream manufacturers.
The 2019 new Arkana is based on the SUV Ctur of the French brand, but with a lower and more sloping roofline, whereby the additional length also offers more legroom for the rear passengers.
The Arkana is available with two electrified petrol engines. You can either choose a hybrid power pack that combines a 1.6 liter gasoline engine with two electric motors to produce 145 horsepower, or a mild hybrid option that boosts a 140 horsepower gasoline engine but not electric power alone can drive.
The Renault Arkana has received a pretty mixed batch of reviews from the UK media, which reviewers generally conclude that the Arkana can be a cable machine, but that there are better alternatives even within Renault’s SUV range.
Auto Express explains: “The Arkana misses the mark when you consider that a smaller SUV like the Ctur is cheaper, while the larger Renault Kadjar is more comfortable.”
Carburetor finds problems with both driving comfort and engine performance and comes to the conclusion that “the arcana with a firm driving feel and slightly dull drive trains is not as annoying for the driver as it looks at first glance”, although the reviewer admits that the “fuel efficiency and practicality are more impressive, and Renault’s five-year warranty adds a bit of shine to the owner experience.”
The Renault Arkana has also been lauded for its value for money, smart infotainment system, spacious interior and large boot, but it is clear to see that the coupe SUV has not won over the majority of the UK media. Top equipment summarizing their review with the statement: “There is absolutely nothing here that is mandatory to buy.”
As of October 2021, the Renault Arkana currently has one Expert rating of 57% from 16 reviews.
- Spacious inside despite the styling
- Competent handling
- Efficient full hybrid system
- Looks – better than most SUVs
- Inconspicuous petrol engine
- Hard low speed ride
- Aggressively sharp steering
- Looks full of unnecessary details
Important specifications
Engines: Gasoline hybrid, gasoline mild hybrid
Price: From £ 25,300 on the go
Last update: N / A
Replacement due: TBA
Picture gallery
Reviews, driving tests and comparisons from the UK automotive media. Click on one of the fields to display it.
Model checked: Range overview
Score: 7/10
“The new Renault Arkana is a stylish-looking coupé SUV, but the other SUVs from the French manufacturer put it in the shade.”
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Model checked:
Score: 8/10
“The Renault Arkana has a lot to offer. The eye-catching coupé SUV body – so far only a genuine premium brand offer – still offers space, while the Arkana, true to the latest Renault shape, boasts a well-made cabin, a smart infotainment system and a strong equipment at a competitive price. “
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Model checked: Range overview
Score: 7/10
“The Renault Arkana is a stylish, coupé-inspired variant of the crossover standard with freedom of style and a choice of hybrid engines.”
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Model checked: 1.3 liter mild hybrid
Score: 7/10
“It’s a struggle to overlook the weaknesses of the engine and chassis. A car that is better to look at than to drive. “
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Model checked: 1.6-liter petrol / electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 7/10
“The Arkana is a fun place to spend the miles, although given the weaknesses in the e-tech powertrain, the underperforming and happier 140TCe version might turn out to be the sweeter driving model.”
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Model checked: Range overview
Score: 6/10
“For the here and now, this is a smart, practical, pleasant and inexpensive new car.”
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Model checked: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Renault Arkana is a stylish hybrid coupé SUV that is practical and well-equipped.”
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Model checked: 1.6 liter petrol / electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 7/10
“Renault’s full hybrid coupe SUV may not have the performance that matches its sporty design, but it is well equipped and has a fuel economy that rivals the best diesels.”
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Model checked: Range overview
“It looks kind of cool with a coupe-SUV profile. You also get a high driving position and more interior space than you might expect. It’s not exciting to drive, but thanks to mild hybrids and hybrid drives, it will be very efficient. “
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Model checked: Range overview
“A stylish alternative to Renault Kadjar. Very efficient with a long guarantee. However, it drives tight and the hybrid engine is a bit slow. “
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Model checked: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“An inexpensive and easy-to-drive coupé-SUV crossover.”
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Model checked: Range overview
“The Arkana steers quite sharply, brakes progressively and drives really smoothly. So it’s a pleasant ride in the city or in the country. “
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Model checked: 1.6-liter petrol / electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 6/10
“The Arkana isn’t the best Renault engineering in the business, but it drives sensibly and the hybrid system, while different from everything else, is fun and economical. You won’t love it, but in its own way this car is very personable. “
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Model checked: 1.3 liter petrol mild hybrid
Score: 6/10
“There’s absolutely nothing to buy here – this hybrid setup is a good Stop-G solution, and if the styling really tickles you, make sure and take a test drive before signing up for the dashed line . “
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Model checked: Range overview
Score: 6/10
“It is not particularly fast and the drive is on the hard side, but it is very cheap and promises respectable operating costs compared to other petrol coupé SUVs.”
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Model checked: Range overview
“The Renault Arkana is a sympathetic car that, as promised, is impressively spacious. The interior of the car is well made and the handling makes it an easy car to drive. The Arkana is also well equipped for the price and its five-star Euro NC safety rating is very reassuring. “
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Security assessment
Independent crash test and safety assessments from Euro NC
Overall rating: 5 Stars
Date tested: December 2019
Notes on safety classification
The Renault Arkana is structurally very similar to its brother, the Ctur SUV, which was tested by Euro NC when it was launched in 2019, and so both cars share the same five-star rating. The testers praised the car in all areas, including the standard autonomous emergency braking including pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Eco rating
Independent economic and emissions assessments from Green NC
No eco rating
The Renault Arkana has not been tested in the laboratory by Green NC. This is a new initiative launched in 2018 as a sister organization to Euro NC. When Green NC puts the arcana through its paces, we’ll post the results here.
Similar cars
If you are looking at the Renault Arkana, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW X2 | Citroën C4 | Ford Puma | Mazda CX-30 | Mini Countryman | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Ctur | Toyota C-HR | Toyota Yaris Cross | Opel Mokka | Volkswagen T-Roc
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