Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Renault Arkana SUV - Engines, drive & performance

The Arkana isn’t quick but it is reasonably good to drive

Carbuyer Rating

3.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.0 out of 5

Such a svelte shape might give you the impression that the Arkana is going to be quick and sporty but that’s not the case. Efficiency is higher on the priority list than driver thrills, as is the case with many hybrids. The hybrid’s powertrain is fairly smooth but it’d be even more refined if the engine didn’t have to work so hard to get the chunky SUV back up to speed quite so often. It’s quiet the rest of the time and feels at its best when driving at lower speeds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The driving experience is decent rather than exciting. Most buyers won’t have any complaints with the handling, as it remains fairly composed unless you really push it, but the ride is rather firm for a family-focused SUV. Renault has given the car a stiffer setup than some of its other models, perhaps in an attempt to inject a sporty feel, but it hasn't been a huge success. The Mazda CX-30 and Ford Puma are more fun to drive, without feeling overly upset when you hit a bump.

Renault Arkana hybrid engine

The full-hybrid Renault Arkana E-Tech uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to two small electric motors and is now the sole powertrain choice, with the mild-hybrid no longer available to buy. Total output is 142bhp – plenty for a car the size and weight of a Clio but not quite enough for a larger SUV – and the 10.8-second 0-62mph time is rather leisurely. It’ll keep up with traffic in most situations, though, and a top speed of 107mph means that motorway cruising shouldn’t feel too strained.

Petrol engine

The other choice was a 1.3-litre petrol engine with a small 12-volt mild-hybrid system to supplement the petrol engine, but is no longer available to buy as of spring 2023. It’s 4bhp down on the E-Tech hybrid with 138bhp but weighs less and has a quicker 0-62mph time of 9.8 seconds as a result.

While this looks pretty good on paper, the reality is that the engine has to be worked quite hard just to keep the Arkana up to speed with normal traffic, and it sounds rather coarse at medium revs. Try to pick up the pace and the gearbox also feels out of its element, so you aren't quite sure how much acceleration will be available when pulling out of a junction or overtaking slower traffic.

It’s a disappointing experience because the same engine is a bit perkier in the Captur, while that car also rides better than the Arkana. The overall impression is that the Arkana isn’t quite as well-developed as the Captur.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.6 E-Tech FHEV 145 Evolution 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £27,395

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.6 E-Tech FHEV 145 Techno 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £29,395

Fastest

  • Name
    1.6 E-Tech FHEV 145 Evolution 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £27,395
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

All aboard! Tesla Model Y finally available with seven seats
Tesla Model Y front quarter
News
15 Oct 2024

All aboard! Tesla Model Y finally available with seven seats

New BYD Sealion 7 revealed as a Ford Capri-rivalling electric SUV
BYD Sealion 7 above
News
14 Oct 2024

New BYD Sealion 7 revealed as a Ford Capri-rivalling electric SUV

New Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron is brand's latest SUV to get coupe transformation
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron driving front quarter
News
13 Oct 2024

New Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron is brand's latest SUV to get coupe transformation

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup
Volkswagen Tayron driving front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range
Ford Explorer Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024