See all New Car Reviews
Pros: Sporty SUV-coupé looks, efficiency, value for money.
Cons: Firmish ride, noisy hybrid.
Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid Design
The Renault Arkana was a glamourous new entrant to the market for compact crossovers and SUVs when it arrived in 2021. With its exotic SUV-coupé looks, it was something different for buyers looking for a stylish but practical family car. It’s quickly become a bestseller for Renault in Ireland, outselling the Clio and Captur. For 2024, the Arkana gets the gentlest of styling tweaks with the most notable differences being a diamond pattern in the grille, F1-style blade in the front bumper and the brand’s smart new logo. The rear lights get a little smoked glass treatment and the faux tailpipes are finished in gloss black. Renault has replaced the sporty RS Line with a new top of the range Esprit Alpine that gets bespoke badges, black wing mirror caps and a lovely set of 19-inch alloy wheels to distinguish it from the rest of the range. There’s also a new colour called Midnight Blue.
Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid Interior
The Esprit Alpine trim adds an upmarket finish to the cabin of the Arkana. Seats are finished in suede-effect and artificial leather with Alpine branding and blue stitching. There’s French tricolour stitching on the sturdy leather-wrapped steering wheel and a new slate grey panel in the dashboard. Otherwise, it’s more of an equipment upgrade than a drastic overhaul. That’s no bad thing, as it still feels like a modern, well-built interior with impressive digital tech on board. It’s worth upgrading to the mid-range Techno model for the full digital driver display and 9.3-inch portrait-style touchscreen. Entry level Evolution models have a smaller screen but now come with navigation as standard and wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto. The Esprit Alpine adds luxury features like heated steering wheel and heated front seats with power adjustment.
Despite the sloping coupé-like roofline, the Arkana has a decent amount of headroom carved out in the back. Legroom feels generous enough though it could get cramped for the very long legged. Three will fit across the rear bench though it’s likely to be more comfortable for two. The 480-litre boot in the full hybrid is bigger than that in close rival the Toyota C-HR and should soak up family life well.
Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid Performance & Drive
While the entry into the Arkana range is still the 1.3-litre petrol mild hybrid, it’s the more expensive full hybrid that offers greater fuel efficiency. Similar to the Clio hybrid, it combines a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with a small capacity battery, two electric motors and a 6-speed multimode automatic to lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption - particularly in town where it can drive up to 80% of the time on battery power alone. It also offers the convenience of not needing to be plugged in to get the best efficiency. With 145hp and 0-100km/h in 10.8 seconds, it won’t win any drag races but there’s still plenty of power to make good progress. Like most hybrids, it’s one best enjoyed with a gentle right foot because it gets noisy when driven with too much enthusiasm or under hard acceleration. With real world consumption between about 5.5-5.7 litres per 100 kilometres during our test drive, it will be economical to run however. It’s not a particularly sparkling drive but it does offer plenty of grip and direct, precise steering to feel capable. It’s quite firmly sprung so on rural roads and in town, it can feel a bit coarse and bumpy. There is a fair bit of road noise too at high speeds on the motorway.
Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid Pricing
The Arkana range kicks off from €32,590 for a mild hybrid petrol automatic and from €35,490 of the E-Tech Hybrid in Evolution trim. Techno models start from €34,990 and Esprit Alpine from €37,790.
Carzone Verdict
The Renault Arkana commendably still manages to offer good value in the market for those looking for a stylish and practical family car. The facelift is relatively minor but the few additions to the equipment and trim upgrades certainly enhance it. The E-Tech hybrid is the pricier engine option but it does have some genuine benefits when it comes to running costs and it will do well for those who frequently find themselves in town and suburbia, where the hybrid really comes into its own. Renault hasn’t reinvented the Arkana this time, but they didn’t really need to. Overall, it’s still a great option.