Name: Renault Arkana (2021 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Renault Arkana
Rating: 65.0

Summary

‘Coupe-style’ SUVs are popular among upmarket brands, but the Renault Arkana is one of only a few of these sleeker crossovers made by mainstream manufacturers.

Launched in 2019, the Arkana is based on the French brand’s Captur SUV, but with a lower and more raked roofline, with additional length also offering more legroom for rear passengers.

The Arkana is available with two electrified petrol engines. You can either choose a hybrid unit, combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors to give 145hp, or a mild hybrid option that provides a boost to a 140hp petrol engine but can’t drive under electrical power alone.

The Renault Arkana has received a rather mixed set of reviews from the UK media, reviewers generally coming to the conclusion that the Arkana may be a capable machine but that there are better alternatives, even within the Renault SUV range.

Auto Express explained, “The Arkana misses the mark when you consider that a smaller SUV like the Captur is better value, while the larger Renault Kadjar is more comfortable.”

Carbuyer finds issues with both the ride comfort and engine performance, concluding that, “With a firm ride and slightly dull powertrains, the Arkana isn’t as appealing for drivers as it first looks”, although the reviewer admits that the Arkana’s “fuel efficiency and practicality are more impressive, and Renault’s five-year warranty adds some lustre to the ownership experience.”

The Renault Arkana has also received praise for its decent value for money, its smart infotainment system, and its spacious interior and large boot, but it is clear to see that the coupe-SUV has failed to win over the majority of UK media outlets, Top Gear wrapping up their review by declaring “there’s absolutely nothing here that pegs it as a must-buy.”

As of December 2024, the Renault Arkana holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%. It gets top marks for its low CO₂ emissions, while its running costs and safety rating are also good. Motoring journalists clearly don’t like it, with very poor average review scores, and we don’t yet have reliability data available.

Arkana highlights

Roomy inside despite styling
Competent handling
Efficient full hybrid system
Looks – better than most SUVs

Arkana lowlights

Unimpressive petrol engine
Harsh low-speed ride
Aggressively sharp steering
Looks, full of unneccesary details

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol hybrid, petrol mild-hybrid
Price: From £26,795 on-road

Launched: Summer 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Arkana succeeds in offering the trendy coupe-SUV look without a premium price tag or compromising on practicality too much. The Arkana misses the mark in several key areas, however, with both the interior design and driving experience failing to impress us.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Esprit Alpine (facelift)
Score: 6 / 10
“For those looking to make a statement without breaking the bank, the Renault Arkana offers the trendy coupe-SUV look with a lower list price than some of its similarly stylish rivals. However, the interior is underwhelming by comparison, and it fails to impress on the road – helped in no part by the underpowered and frustratingly easily flummoxed hybrid powertrain.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Renault Arkana is a stylish, coupe-inspired twist on the crossover norm with style aplenty and a choice of hybrid engines.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 7 / 10
“The Arkana is a pleasant enough place to while away the miles, although given the E-Tech powertrain’s foibles, the lower-powered and cheaper 140TCe version may turn out to be the sweeter driving model.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“For the here and now, this is a smart, practical, enjoyable and decent-value new car.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Renault Arkana is a stylish hybrid-only coupe SUV that’s practical and well-equipped.” (Andy Goodwin)
Read review

Driving Electric+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 7 / 10
“Renault’s full-hybrid coupe-SUV may not have the performance to match its sporty styling, but it’s well equipped and has fuel economy to rival the best diesels.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Renault Arkana isn’t entirely style over substance. The hybrid model is rather efficient, while it’s more spacious inside than alternatives like the Toyota C-HR. It’s just a shame it feels out of its depth on the motorway, while list prices are surprisingly expensive.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“A stylish alternative to Renault Kadjar. Very efficient with a long warranty. However, it has a firm ride, and the hybrid engine is a bit slow.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“A well-priced and good-to-drive coupe-SUV crossover.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Arkana steers fairly keenly, brakes progressively and has a decently supple ride too. So it’s a pleasant enough drive in town or country.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid RS Line
Score: 6 / 10
“The Arkana isn’t Renault’s finest design work in the sector, but it drives reasonably and the hybrid system, while different from anything else, is quite fun and economical. You’re not going to love it, but in its way this car is quite likeable.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol mild hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s absolutely nothing here that pegs it as a must-buy – this hybrid set-up makes for a good stop-gap solution, and if the styling really tickles your pickle make sure and take one out for a test drive before you sign on the dotted line.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 75%
Safety assist: 74%

Notes on safety rating

The Renault Arkana is structurally very similar to its sibling, the Captur SUV which was tested by Euro NCAP on its launch in 2019, and so both cars share the same five-star rating. The testers praised the car in all areas, including the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking which includes pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the Renault Arkana has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Renault Arkana to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Arkana, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	48 mpg	C	48 – 49 mpg	C – C
Hybrid models	59 mpg	A	58 – 60 mpg	A – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	131 g/km	A	130 – 132 g/km	A – A
Hybrid models	107 g/km	A	105 – 110 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	16	A	15 – 21	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£211	B
Year 2	£628	B
Year 3	£975	B
Year 4	£1,172	B
Year 5	£1,534	B
Overall	£4,520	B

The running costs for the Renault Arkana are generally very good, according to data exclusively provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.

The fuel economy of the now-discontinued petrol mild-hybrid model is rather average when compared to the rest of the market, while the hybrid is markedly more efficient. Insurance costs are low, as are service and maintenance costs over five years of ownership.