The Renault Arkana is an SUV coupé with a very seductive design that does not give up practicality. With the addition of the hybrid E-Tech version to the range, the French model stands out even more for consumption, pleasure in use and a relatively contained price.
SUVs are here to stay and their sales figures show that they are not just a passing fad. They have come to stay in the market. The next trend within this type of vehicle is the SUV coupewhich try to offer a more dynamic and youthful appearance and one of the most successful is the renault arkana like the one we have been able to analyze in depth.
This type of bodywork seemed reserved for expensive models from manufacturers with a premium label, but in recent times they have gone democratizing the general public with the arrival of the Arkana and other varied exponents such as the CUPRA Formentor, the DFSK F5 or the Volkswagen Taigo.
The French brand goes further and is not satisfied with simply offering a pretty face but also proposes a very rational proposal, the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid that has passed through my hands. A variant with an Eco environmental label that promises contained consumption and greater comfort than the versions that only have a combustion engine.
It is undeniable that aesthetically it is quite a seducer. The defining element of the Arkana is the sloping roofline that merges with the trunk to give the French SUV a very sporty look and personality within the diamond brand’s range. In its rounded shapes, the optics also play an important role: the front ones are full led headlights with the characteristic light signature in the form of a C and the LED rear lights that run the width of the vehicle and are only interrupted by the brand logo. It’s pretty from any angle.
The commercial range is made up of the Intens, Zen and RS Line trim levels. The RS Line version It has a sportier touch and is identified by a specific front bumper, 18-inch Silverstone wheels with a two-tone finish and red accents, gloss black exterior trim and a dual exhaust outlet integrated into the lower part of the bumper.
Its coupé profile not only conveys a more dynamic image but also visually makes the car appear longer than it really is. It is not small anyway because with 4.57m long, by size it is located halfway between the Kadjar (and its substitute the future Austral) and the Koleos. However, the Arkana shares the platform of the Captur urbanite, that is, it sits on the modular architecture CMF-B of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
Seductive design without sacrificing practicality
The Arkana’s relationship with the Renault Captur is most evident inside, with a driving position that inherits a similar design. That’s good because it also implies that the quality of execution is remarkable and the suggestive physiognomy thanks to the use of good quality plastics, some leather elements and metallic-looking details with a formidable touch.
In the center of the dashboard, the eye is drawn to a 9.3-inch center screen in vertical layout. It is the Easy Link multimedia system that has 3D navigation, customizable widgets and integration with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The quality of the screen is average but the interface is well resolved and it is easy to move through the menus.
Rightly, the air conditioning is regulated outside this screen, in a module seen in various models of Renault, Dacia and Mercedes and that is easy to operate. The Arkana also features a attractive digital instrument cluster that uses a 10.2-inch screen and has various possibilities for displaying the information.
The highest versions of the Gallic model enjoy heated front seats and steering wheel, sunroof, ambient lighting system with eight shadesBose premium sound system, 360-degree camera, parking assistant (Easy Park Assist) or induction charger for smartphones.
The RS Line finish increases its dynamic spirit in the cabin with the mixed Alcantara upholstery with red stitching that dresses the wrap-around seats, the black roof, the dashboard trim finished in carbon, multiple interior details in red, a specific steering wheel with a perforated leather section and aluminum pedals.
All that front but what happens behind? Sharing architecture with smaller models can leave you wondering about the space it will offer for second-row passengers. However, the Arkana is quite well used and leaves enough space for passengers up to approximately 1.80 m tall. Interestingly, there are more space limitations for the knees than for the head.
To increase the comfort of the occupants there are ventilation outlets (although the specific temperature of this area cannot be regulated), a pair of USB sockets, a 12 V connection, nets behind the front seatbacks and a folding armrest. Access to the rear seats is comfortable despite the sloping roofline and, moreover, the generous 199mm ground clearance helps to enter naturally.
The trunk of the French SUV has a capacity of 513 liters, a volume that is increased to 1,296 liters by folding down the backrest of the rear seats in an operation that leaves the floor flat. In these two measurements the hybrid version loses 33 liters of cargo volume because it must make room for the high-voltage battery. The space is simple but at least it is usable for its forms.
Hybrid Arkana prefers the city
Renault wants to be a fully electric brand by 2030 and is taking determined steps in that direction. A clear example is that the Arkana’s range of engines is fully electrified. The 140 and 160 hp TCe petrol versions have a MHEV light hybridization system while the hybrid E-Tech can run in 100% electric mode on occasion. They all have, therefore, the Eco environmental label. There is no diesel proposal.
The Arkana E-Tech is a conventional hybrid that doesn’t want cable hassles. Its scheme combines a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 94 hp with two electric motors of 49 and 20 hp. The joint cavalry is from 145 hp but despite its power, not much intensity is noticeable in accelerations, perhaps because the maximum torque remains at just 148 Nm, a modest figure.
The performance decreases even more when the battery charge is very low and the gasoline engine is left without the support of the electric motors. To try to extract the full essence of the hybrid system, the diamond brand proposes three driving modes that Renault calls Multi-sense. The programs are Eco, Sport and My Sense; the latter allows various driving parameters to be configured individually, such as the response of the engine, the setting of the steering or the interior lighting.
Remembering that it is a coupe, Sport mode can provide quite a bit of fun thanks to a rather rigid damping that manages to limit excessive body movements, precise steering and noble behavior. However there are no shift paddles for to play although the performance of the hybrid drive is the most out of tune since its ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds is unimpressive. The maximum speed is 172 km/h.
Eco mode makes a lot of sense if we take the car to the ground where its engine feels most comfortable. The most of the hybrid mechanics is taken out in urban environments and it is in this territory that the Arkana E-Tech makes the most sense. For frequent road use, the TCe petrol engine will be more satisfactory because it weighs less and has superior performance.
In the city, the Arkana E-Tech takes advantage of the agility and smoothness provided by the electric motors, it rolls silently when traveling in 100% electric mode and fuel consumption is more contained. Taking into account the power and size of this model, this hybrid SUV spends little and makes a varied driving consumption will be between 5.5 and 6.0 l/100 km. It also has a B mode to maximize regeneration under braking.
Of course, there is no lack of a large set of safety systems and driving assistants such as emergency brake assist with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic detection, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, safety distance alert, semi-autonomous driving assist ( regulates speed and keeps the car centered in the lane), the blind spot detector or the traffic sign recognition system.
The Renault Arkana is one of the best-selling cars to individuals in its segment and it is not surprising because it looks great without sacrificing the practicality and space necessary to satisfy family needs, it has extensive equipment and adequate behavior. In addition, the price is very reasonable since it is on sale from €26,965 for the TCe MHEV and €28,903 for the E-Tech Hybrid without counting offers.