There’s a brand new Renault Arkana on the town – however you won’t realise whenever you first see it.

Renault’s SUV coupe stays a singular possibility in Australia, as one in every of simply two ‘coupe’ crossovers at this worth – the opposite being the GWM Haval H6 GT.

The facelifted mannequin receives refined modifications and a few additional tools, and the flagship 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine brings new branding to the outgoing R.S. Line halo consistent with a world change.

Drawing upon the Alpine efficiency model, the Esprit Alpine nameplate brings sportier trims and finishes consistent with the now-defunct R.S. Line, however as an alternative of flashes of yellow there’s extra pops of blue.

There’s nonetheless no hybrid possibility, regardless of Renault Australia indicating final 12 months a extra environment friendly E-Tech Full Hybrid model would “seemingly” be a part of the native vary. Learn extra on the up to date assertion right here.

Nonetheless, Renault has managed to maintain costs the identical relative to the outgoing mannequin, whereas including package like a surround-view digicam, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a lane centring perform throughout the vary. The Esprit Alpine on check good points a brand new Bose-branded premium audio system.

Does the Korean-built French crossover coupe have what it takes to make an even bigger splash in Australia? Or, are the modifications too minimal to make sufficient of an affect in such a aggressive section?

How does the Renault Arkana evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Renault Arkana towards equally sized autos.

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Arkana

How a lot does the Renault Arkana value?

Pricing is unchanged over the Intens and R.S. Line grades being changed. Whereas the mid-spec Techno is the present entry level, a extra reasonably priced entry model to interchange the Zen is “coming quickly”.

To see how the Arkana strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

What’s the Renault Arkana like on the within?

The Esprit Alpine brings revised trim and tools, however the fundamental Arkana expertise could be very a lot the identical.

If you happen to purchase the flagship mannequin you’ll discover particulars like revised seat trims combining vegan leather-based with suede inserts, full with quilted stitching particulars and blue Alpine logos embroidered within the backrests.

You get good stitching particulars on the steering wheel too, in addition to the door inserts, each of which rating a fetching tricolore sew sample within the colors of the French flag.

There’s a brand new ‘slate’ dashboard insert that seems to imitate marbled carbon-fibre, however get too shut and also you realise it’s only a tough plastic panel which truly feels a bit low cost. This sample is utilized to the doorways, too.

Other than that every part feels moderately effectively constructed just like the pre-update model, with soft-touch surfaces atop the sprint and doorways in addition to that swish ‘floating’ centre console design incorporating a traditional gearshift.

Up entrance you get electrically adjustable chairs with powered lumbar for the motive force. It’s not essentially widespread for the passenger seat to be powered within the compact class… however oddly there’s no base cushion angle adjustment for the motive force.

Each entrance seats are heated for each the Techno and Esprit Alpine, and the perforated leather-based steering wheel is heated on the Esprit Alpine.

All fashions at launch rating a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.3-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen shared with the outgoing mannequin. The older R-Hyperlink software program affords good graphics however slower refresh charges than many rivals, although the laborious button shortcuts and show choices are good.

For the facelift, the infotainment system scores wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bolstered by a wi-fi smartphone charger to maintain your gadget juiced. There’s additionally native navigation should you favor embedded methods, and DAB radio options.

The Bose-branded eight-speaker premium audio system within the Esprit Alpine doesn’t set the benchmark however affords good sound high quality, and because of the comparatively effectively insulated cabin (extra on that within the driving part) you’ll be capable to take pleasure in your favorite beats with out having to compete with highway noise on journeys out of city.

Regardless of the coupe-style roofline the Arkana affords surprisingly good house within the rear, with head- and legroom fairly respectable for an grownup measuring round six toes tall.

When you’ve got longer legs you might need tight knee room behind a taller driver, however there are scalloped out sections within the seatbacks to provide you extra space and, as I famous earlier, you will have heaps of headroom even with the sunroof.

Two adults needs to be nice again there however this received’t be giving a Kia Seltos any sleepless nights. There are good inclusions like directional rear air vents, map pockets behind each entrance seats, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.

Carrying children? ISOFIX on the outboard seats and high tether factors throughout all three rear seats have you ever coated, and door bins with bottle holders spherical out the rear facilities. It’s not ‘palatial’, however within the small section it’s removed from the worst at school.

The boot hasn’t been too compromised by the sloping (operated by hand) hatchback tailgate both, with Renault quoting 485 litres with the rear seats upright, increasing to 1268 litres with the second row folded.

A split-level boot ground permits you to create an underfloor compartment to cover issues away, and there’s an area saver spare wheel decrease down.

To see how the Arkana strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

What’s below the bonnet?

The up to date Arkana lineup in Australia incorporates a carryover drivetrain.

To see how the Arkana strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

How does the Renault Arkana drive?

Given the drivetrain is carryover, the Arkana’s on-road expertise is extra of the identical.

Our launch drive took us from the Orange Airport in regional New South Wales by means of the encircling space, which meant plenty of high-speed and winding B-roads.

Whereas I think about most Arkanas will spend their time within the suburbs, the extra touring-focused program meant we received a great grasp on how this crossover coupe will handle the lengthy drives so many Australians do recurrently.

As I’ve famous in earlier critiques of the Captur, the Arkana affords respectable efficiency and drivability when you’re shifting. However, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission stays a sticking level when getting off the road.

There’s a lazy, barely nervous response on takeoff which takes some getting used to, and from time to time planning. It’s as if the management unit is a novice driver nonetheless getting a grasp of participating a clutch in a handbook – it’s a bit off-putting, actually.

After the quirks of that takeoff, the Arkana’s 262Nm of torque from 2250rpm proves fairly useful at getting this comparatively mild 1349kg crossover shifting at respectable clip.

There’s a pleasant, raspy engine word below acceleration, too. Renault’s 0-100km/h declare of 9.1 seconds appears modest, however clearly accounts for the doughy preliminary response off the road.

The DCT can be pretty snappy when you’re shifting, and if you would like higher response you’ll be able to both flick into Sport mode which sees it maintain gears longer and maintain you within the candy spot; in any other case you should use the steering-mounted paddle shifters and alter cogs your self.

Regardless of using on 19-inch alloy wheels and low-profile 225/45 tyres, the Esprit Alpine affords a surprisingly well-sorted journey that’s usually European taut however affords good isolation from bumps. Whereas there’s a firmness, there’s minimal jarring or crashing even over some gnarly potholes.

That interprets to dealing with that’s correct and responsive sufficient with out being overtly ‘sporty’. It feels fairly nimble and really feel by means of the steering wheel is respectable, whereas the physique is effectively managed by means of corners and there’s good quantities of grip.

Street and wind noise can be surprisingly effectively suppressed in our expertise, with coarse chip roads solely bringing a muted hum into the cabin. I used to be capable of keep a standard dialog with my co-driver which is unusual for mainstream compact-class SUVs.

A part of the Arkana facelift’s upgrades is the motive force help suite, which now brings lively lane centring along with lane departure warning and lane maintain help. The character of the roads we drove didn’t enable us to check it correctly, however our expertise with the associated Captur factors to it being one of many higher choices in market.

Whereas it nonetheless wants enchancment in some areas, the Arkana does punch above its weight in others, and when you’re shifting affords a reasonably refined and succesful drive that can be fulfilling even when you journey past metropolis limits.

What do you get?

Two grades can be found at launch – the Techno and Esprit Alpine.

Arkana Techno customary tools:

• 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• Area-saver spare
• Gray entrance and rear skid plates
• Entrance bumper with body-coloured ‘F1-inspired’ blade
• Chrome window trims
• Automated LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Electrical park brake with auto maintain
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9.3-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 6-speaker Arkamys sound system
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Ambient lighting (eight colors)
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters
• Local weather management
• 8-way energy driver’s seat with energy lumbar
• 6-way energy passenger seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Leather-based upholstery with ‘suedette shoulders’, cream stitching
• 60:40 cut up/fold rear seats
• Textured chrome inside trim

Arkana Esprit Alpine provides:

• 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• Gloss black window trims
• Privateness glass
• Sunroof
• 8-speaker Bose sound system
• Black ‘suede-style’ and leatherette upholstery
• Blue stitching particulars
• ‘Slate-look’ inside trim
• Heated steering wheel
• Frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror

A sunroof is a $1500 possibility on the Techno.

Is the Renault Arkana protected?

The Arkana has a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out in 2019 on the associated Captur.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane centring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane maintain help
• Parking sensors – entrance, aspect, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass digicam system
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Tyre strain monitoring

How a lot does the Renault Arkana value to run?

The Arkana is roofed by Renault’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Renault Arkana

The up to date Arkana could be very a lot a case of ‘similar similar, however [not much] totally different’.

That comes with some good and a few not-so good. The Arkana brings the kind of styling you’d pay two or thrice extra for from established luxurious manufacturers, and drives fairly effectively when you get it shifting.

It affords a robust checklist of normal package in each mid- and flagship grades with out asking for more cash than earlier than, and also you’re coated by a good aftersales program do you have to be a bit of uncertain about going French.

However, there are nonetheless numerous areas for enchancment.

The seven-speed DCT is snappy when you’re shifting, however has a hesitant, elastic fell off the road which some will discover nervous or unresponsive in situations the place it’s worthwhile to make a fast getaway, and the dearth of a hybrid possibility is disappointing.

The Esprit Alpine’s new ‘slate’ dashboard and door decor seems to be a bit naff if we’re sincere; and whereas the addition of a {surround} digicam system is welcome, the standard and backbone of the imaginative and prescient is missing in comparison with most different autos providing comparable options.

Renault Australia appears assured the Arkana’s worth proposition ought to be capable to see the facelift retain its circa-1.0 per cent share of the small SUV section, although one thing tells me if the E-Tech Full Hybrid was obtainable it might purpose a bit of increased.

It’s no secret starvation Down Below for electrified SUVs and crossovers is rising, so it looks as if an oversight by Renault to bypass a hybrid Arkana within the present panorama – with emissions rules coming into impact in 2025.

If you happen to’re persuaded by the seems to be alone, the Arkana is a cool and left-field providing that in the suitable color seems to be fairly fetching. I’d simply suggest should you’re seeking to purchase one, simply take it for a check drive on roads with site visitors lights or stop-start manoeuvres so you may get a really feel for the transmission’s low-speed behaviour.

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