2024 Renault Arkana review: Australian first drive

09/05/2024 09:37 PM

2024 Renault Arkana

The Renault Arkana has been a bit of a hit for the French brand since it launched globally in 2019 and in Australia in 2021.

With its distinctive 'coupe-like' styling, the Arkana stands out in a largely homogeneous small SUV segment where two-box design reigns supreme.

Worldwide sales of 370,000 since 2019 speak to an appetite for something a little different for a cohort of buyers. And while Australian sales since 2021 run to just over 3500, the Arkana has become one of the brand's best-sellers locally, in 2023 alone accounting for almost 20 per cent of Renault’s local volume.

Which is why this 2024 mild update is so important for the brand in Australia. It's a mild update, to be sure, but crucially it comes at no extra cost, the new-for-2024 Arkana range priced the same as the outgoing model.

In that context, it represents better bang-for-your-buck.

So can some styling tweaks and a smattering of extra kit keep the stylish coupe SUV from the French brand on the consideration list of Aussie buyers? Let's find out.

How much is a Renault Arkana?

Unusually for an updated model, Renault has not hiked the price of its revised Arkana line-up. It has, however, changed naming conventions.

For now, the most affordable Arkana is the Techno, which replaces the Arkana previously known as Intens. It's priced from an unchanged $41,000 before on-road costs.

And the previous range-topping Arkana R.S. Line is now called the Esprit Alpine, a gentle nod to the French brand's sporting and motorsport division. It's priced from an unchanged $45,000 before on-road costs. Renault is phasing out the 'R.S.' and 'R.S. Line' model designations in favour of Alpine and Esprit Alpine (Spirit of Alpine).

Renault Australia has also promised an entry-level Arkana Evolution – replacing the Zen – is headed to Australia "as soon as possible". No pricing has been confirmed, but the Zen was previously priced at $37,500 before on-road costs.

What hasn't changed is the beating heart of the Arkana range, a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 115kW and 262Nm. It's mated to an unchanged seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending drive to the front wheels.

Instead, this midlife update brings some minor cosmetic tweaks and some extra goodies inside.

Externally, some tweaks to the grille (a new diamond pattern) and swapping out Renault's old logo with the new are the most visible changes, while out back there's a new tail-light design.

Inside, new materials and trims and a new steering wheel headline the style revisions, while technology advances include a new 360-degree camera and wireless smartphone charging.

Standard equipment across both grades – Techno and Esprit Alpine – includes leather upholstery, powered and heated front seats with lumbar support, keyless entry and push-button start, a 9.3-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the full spectrum of radio bandwidths (AM/FM/DAB+), and satellite navigation.

There's also a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, climate control, LED head- and tail-lights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, as well as a full suite of Renault's advanced safety technologies, which we'll detail later in this review.

The top-spec Esprit Alpine adds 19-inch alloys (the Techno sits on 18s), a sunroof (optional on Techno), and a Bose eight-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer (Techno is fitted with a six-speaker Arkamys).

Exclusive to Esprit Alpine is a heated steering wheel, privacy glass, French tricolore contrast stitching, Alpine branding inside and out, alloy sports pedals, and front and rear skid plates finished in gunmetal grey.

Renault rolled out only the top-spec Esprit Alpine variants at launch, the only option fitted to our test car a $750 coat of Metallic Black paint for an as-tested price of $45,750 before on-road costs, or around $50,067 drive-away (in NSW). Drive-away price will vary depending on the state or territory you live in.

How big is a Renault Arkana?

The Renault Arkana is classified as a small SUV, slotting into the brand's line-up between the Captur and larger Koleos. It's a segment brimming with choice for buyers, but where the Arkana makes its big play is with its styling, the Arkana's sweeping roof line helping it stand out in a sea of two-box designs.

Whether or not you're on board with the modern phenom of 'coupe' SUVs, the Arkana's swoopy styling works in this instance, its external design nicely proportioned. In short, it looks good from any angle.

Measuring 4568mm long, 1821mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1571mm high, the Arkana is longer than some of its main segment competitors, yet shorter to the top of the roof. That lends the Arkana a low and sleek profile, no doubt appealing to a certain cohort of style-driven buyers.

That style focus continues in the cabin, where there's plenty to like about the Arkana in this Esprit Alpine grade.

The leather and suede seats look good and a little bit special with the Alpine logo embroidered into the headrest. Small French flags sewn into the seam add a dash of je ne sais quoi to the cabin, as do the metres of contrast stitching throughout finished in the French blue, white and red.

We'd question the use of what Renault calls 'slate' accents on the dash and door cards. Finished in black (with white marbling) hard plastic, it looks a bit cheap in a cabin that otherwise doesn't. The pre-updated model's textured faux-aluminium trims were a class above, to our mind.

The perforated leather steering wheel, also emblazoned with the French tricolore contrast stitching, feels nice in hand and frames the 10.25-inch digital instrument display nicely.

Storage options include a central storage bin, a pair of cupholders, door pockets, and a wireless smartphone charging pad ahead of the gear selector.

Kudos to Renault for sticking with nice chunky dials and switches for the Arkana's climate controls. And a clever little credit-card-sized cubby in the centre console next to the electronic park brake is the ideal spot to stash the Arkana's credit-card-sized key.

The second row, unsurprisingly, isn't as salubrious as the front. The seat bases are a little firmer and, as you'd expect from a small SUV, space is at a premium. That said, knee and leg room are reasonable with really only head room feeling a little compromised, thanks to that svelte roof line.

The middle seat is best saved for short trips. The seat base sits higher, is firmer still, and foot space is a little compromised by a small transmission tunnel.

In terms of second-row amenities, there are a couple of air vents, two USB outlets, and cupholders in a fold-down armrest.

For those with little ones, ISOFIX child seat anchors are fitted to the outboard seats, while all three seatbacks are equipped with top-tether points. The seats fold in 60:40-split fashion to liberate cargo space.

With the second row in place, there's a decent 485 litres of capacity, expanding to 1268L with the seats folded away. There's a narrow but handy additional storage area under the first boot floor, while a space-saver spare wheel lives under a second boot floor.

Does the Renault Arkana have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The Arkana's infotainment system has largely carried over from the previous model, which is no bad thing as there wasn't much wrong with it first time around.

The screen size remains unchanged at 9.3 inches, mounted portrait style onto the dash. Underneath, a series of shortcut icons make for easy accessibility to the system's functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android are standard as is inbuilt satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and DAB+ digital radio.

Connecting CarPlay wirelessly proved quick and easy, while the system's responsiveness to touch inputs was seamless.

Keeping devices topped up are a wireless charging pad or a pair of USB-A outlets. It's a little surprising Renault hasn't updated USB connections to the more contemporary USB-C style.

The 10.25-inch digital instrument display is new for this update. It lacks the configurability of some modern iterations of the technology, but everything is easy to read and driving data, such as fuel consumption, is easy to find.

Second-row passengers score two USB-A outlets to help keep devices charged up as well as a 12V plug.

Is the Renault Arkana a safe car?

The Renault Arkana wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by its European counterpart, Euro NCAP, in 2019. Under ANCAP protocols, that rating is set to expire in December 2025.

It scored highly in adult and child occupant protection (96 per cent and 85 per cent respectively), good in vulnerable road user protection (75 per cent), and good in the assessment of its safety assist systems (72 per cent).

What safety technology does the Renault Arkana have?

A comprehensive suite of active safety systems are on board the Arkana.

Standard are autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist with lane centring, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.

Our time behind the wheel at the launch of the updated Arkana didn't highlight any glaring issues with its safety assist systems.

Six airbags cover both rows of occupants.

How much does the Renault Arkana cost to run?

Renault covers the Arkana with its five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is par for the course in today's automotive landscape. Renault Australia also offers five years of roadside assistance.

Servicing is required every 12 months and a generous 30,000km, whichever comes first. This is great for anyone who drives more than the national average (around 15,000km) each year, meaning your coupe SUV won't be off the road as often.

Renault Australia's capped-price servicing plan is priced at $2385 for five years or 150,000km, or around $477 annually.

Comprehensive insurance for the top-spec Arkana Esprit Alpine runs to $1802 per annum, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances. The Arkana Techno is ever so slightly more affordable to insure with premiums priced at $1783 annually.

Is the Renault Arkana fuel-efficient?

Renault claims the Arkana will use 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres of 91-octane regular unleaded on the combined cycle. Our launch drive wasn't exactly indicative of real-world use, the bulk of it spent on rural back roads. We saw an indicated 7.5L/100km.

The fuel tank measures in at 50L.

What is the Renault Arkana like to drive?

While this update brings some minor design tweaks and a smattering of new trims and equipment, under the bonnet everything is carried over. And that means the heavy lifting is done by a 115kW/262Nm 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending drive to the front wheels. There is no all-wheel-drive Arkana variant.

It’s not the perkiest engine in the segment, with Renault claiming a 0–100km/h time of 9.1 seconds, which seems a little slow on paper. Out on the road, in the real world, the Arkana's straight-line acceleration certainly doesn’t feel sluggish, though, the little SUV happy enough to move away in a brisk manner.

The seven-speed dual-clutch (DCT), however, does the Arkana no favours. It’s slow to react from standstill and hesitant when asking more of it, such as under harder acceleration.

Press the accelerator and there are some concerning moments of hesitation before a surge of acceleration elicits some front wheel spin, and a touch of torque steer.

It's not a terribly sophisticated application of DCT technology, and certainly not when compared against some rivals brands that have all but eliminated the hesitancy these types of transmissions were once known for.

Things get better out on the highway at motorway speeds, the DCT more decisive with its upshifts, although asking for a burst of acceleration again highlights its hesitancy, slow to effect downshifts, the lag between accelerator and engine speed noticeable. Plan your overtakes carefully.

Ride comfort is good on smoother surfaces, but does get caught out on harsher and scrappier surfaces, feeling firm and hard-edged. No doubt, the less-sophisticated torsion beam suspension set-up at the rear plays its part.

Road noise, too, is a touch on the high side, while wind noise felt intrusive. But the conditions at launch were exceptionally windy, so that may have been a contributing factor.

The steering is nice and precise with a nice meaty feel, while the brake pedal also feels reassuring.

Can a Renault Arkana tow?

Renault claims towing capacities of 900kg (braked trailer) and 715kg (unbraked) and towball down weight of 75kg. That's probably enough to get you out of a bind with a small box trailer loaded with a few things, but we'd suggest the Arkana isn't really suitable as a tow vehicle.

Should I buy a Renault Arkana?

Buyers looking for a stylish European-designed small SUV that won't break the bank will find things to like about the Renault Arkana.

The design tweaks in this update have only enhanced what was already a good-looking small SUV – one that is a little different to the norm thanks to its 'coupe' styling.

And with decent levels of equipment and interior appointments, the Arkana delivers on its European styling at a price that won't break the bank.

But, a hesitant dual-clutch transmission and marginally less sophisticated road manners take the gloss off what is an otherwise charmingly French little package.

How do I buy a Renault Arkana? The next steps.

Your next step on the purchase journey is to check Renault Australia's website for stock of your preferred Arkana variant. We'd suggest the more affordable Techno variant offers better value for money over the Esprit Alpine or, for those prepared to wait, an even more affordable entry-level Evolution variant is due in local dealerships soon.

You can also find a range of Renaults for sale at Drive Marketplace.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership to see if the Arkana is the right fit for you and to sample its dual-clutch transmission. Find your nearest Renault dealer via this link.

We'd also recommend test-driving the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross, which are among the best-selling SUVs in the segment.

If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

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