Renault’s Arkana gets makeover for 2024

MMAI Renault’s Arkana crossover/SUV has been given a minor makeover for 2024. Just some subtle upgrades to keep the car fresh and a viable alternative to competitors such as the Toyota C-HR, Peugeot’s 408 and the Cupra Formentor among others vying for market share in the hotly contested C-segment.

The Arkana is the brand’s first coupe SUV and available as a hybrid from launch in 2021. While a compact practical family car, it will also appeal to style-conscious buyers with its sporty styling including the coupe-like sloping roof.

Some 356 have already found owners this year compared to 469 for the whole of 2023. The brand’s Austral follows with 175 and Clio with 146 registrations this year so far.

In size, the car sits above its sibling Captur in the Renault range. My test car was the top-of-the-range Esprit Alpine E-Tech Full Hybrid 145. Other trims are evolution and techno.

My car looked very attractive in its Universal White exterior colour with contrasting dark privacy glass. Six other colours are available for owners to customise their own cars.

The styling shows off a streamlined silhouette, raised ground clearance - a hint to the SUV look - restyled grille that incorporates the new Renault emblem and bespoke Esprit Alpine F1 blade on the front bumper which added to the car’s sporty look.

All versions of the hybrid are powered by a 1.6 petrol engine with a 1.2 kWh lithium-ion battery and two electric motors offering a combined output of 145bhp, matched to an automatic transmission. Road tax is €180 and fuel economy a claimed 4.8 L/100km (that’s almost 60mpg) which is a real bonus. I’m afraid, though, I got nowhere close to that figure during my time with the car. Renault claim this E-Tech hybrid version to be 25pc more efficient than a traditional ICE SUV.

You can drive on pure electric power for up to 80pc of city driving which will cut fuel consumption by up to 40pc compared to an ordinary petrol engine. It means this version makes great sense for those who do mostly urban driving but with up to 1,000km of range available, I was very, very happy during my lengthy time with the car.

Three driving modes are offered. There’s oodles of acceleration for overtaking or merging on to the motorway and the car’s 0-100km/h time is an acceptable 10.8 seconds for a family car. I found the steering nice and direct. Some road noise filtered through, mainly on tar and chips road surfaces.

This E-Tech full hybrid offers up to 18 advanced driver-assistance systems including active driver assist; rear cross parking alert when reversing, dipped headlight activation, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, and good blind spot warning which all contributed to Arkana achieving a maximum five star safety rating from experts Euro NCAP.

Renault provides new vehicles with a 5-year or 150,000km warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.

Prices start from €32,590 for the evolution TCe 140 Auto. My car was priced from €41,515.