Review - Renault Arkana

Renault’s latest Arkana gives buyers a stylish - and fairly large -  take on the small SUV platform and comes packed with a generous amount of features and equipment for an affordable price tag.

With the number of compact SUVs growing, let's take a closer look at the Renault Arkana and see how it stacks up against its competitors.

Starting Price: $39,800

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Renault Arkana (ZEN) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Renault Arkana car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Renault Arkana lineup kicks off from $35,800 for the entry-level Arkana Zen automatic, with prices rising to $39,800 for the Arkana Intens automatic and up to $43,300 for the range-topping Arkana R.S. Line automatic.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

What Features Does the Renault Arkana Have?

Renault’s entry-level Arkana Zen comes riding on 17-inch alloys and receives a set of LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, leatherette seat upholstery with a heated leather steering wheel, climate control, front rear and side parking sensors and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Arkana Intens adds a set of 18-inch alloys, leather and suede upholstery, ambient lighting, a 7.0-inch driver’s display and an upgraded 9.3-inch infotainment system with sat-nav.

Finally, the range-topping Arkana R.S. Line receives a panoramic sunroof, R.S. exterior styling package, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel and some red contrast stitching for the interior.

Range Features:

• 17-inch alloys

• LED headlights

• Adaptive cruise control

• Leatherette upholstery

• Heated leather steering wheel

• Front, rear & side parking sensors

• 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• 18-inch alloys (Intens)

• Leather & suede interior (Intens)

• 9.3-inch infotainment system (Intens)

• Panoramic sunroof (R.S.)

• R.S. styling package (R.S.)

• Heated steering wheel (R.S.)

Renault Arkana Colours

The Renault Arkana range is available in Universal White, Valencia Orange, Zanzibar Blue, Flame Red, Metallic Grey and Metallic Black colour finishes.

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

One of the most important parts of the design brief for a compact SUV like the Arkana is that buyers demand a comfortable and user-friendly package that makes light work of commutes and family duties.

In this respect, the Arkana is a strong performer thanks to its willing little engine and comfortable European suspension package that makes for a perfect little urban runaround.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine pushing out 115kW of power and 262Nm of torque to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers smooth shifts as you pick up speed.

There’s a decent amount of power on offer, especially for a compact SUV like the Arkana which gives it a lively personality to zip around city streets with the help of the agile handling package and lightweight steering rack.

Around town, the Arkana is easy to drive, simple to park and comfortable on a mix of Australian road surfaces, making it a great little compact SUV option for buyers in cities and country towns alike.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While the Renault Arkana is based on a compact SUV platform, in actual fact, the body is fairly large for a compact SUV and even touches on the dimensions of a midsize SUV.

As a result, there’s a heap of space and practical elements in the front of the cabin, although its styling package has eaten up some of the space in the second row and the boot.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a fairly understated cabin in the base model, with higher-spec variants gaining leather and suede upholstery, as well as a larger, vertically-mounted infotainment system that adds to its premium nature.

There’s a decent amount of headroom in the front of the cabin with a handful of storage options in the centre console which gains a set of nets on either side of the tunnel, phone and loose item storage in the tray behind the gear lever and inside the folding arm rest.

Move to the rear and you’ll find a decent amount of legroom for kids and shorter adults, although when it comes to accommodating tall rear passengers, the Arkana’s second row falls short for leg and headroom for tall passengers.

The rear of the cabin gains a set of ISOFIX anchors on either side of the cabin, as well as a set of air vents and USB chargers for rear occupants.

Finally, the Renault Arkana has a boot measuring in at 353L with the adjustable boot floor in the highest position, which thankfully expands to 485L with a small adjustment. Fold down the rear seats and you’ll find 1268L of cargo space in the back of the Arkana.

Is it Safe?

The Renault Arkana has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 96% for adult protection, 85% for child protection, 75% for pedestrian protection, and 72% for its safety assist technologies.

As standard, the entry-level Arkana comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist and lane departure warnings, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and traffic sign recognition.

Upgrading to the Arkana Intens adds a rear cross-traffic alert system.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Renault’s 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is rated at 6.0L/100km on a combined cycle, which means that the Arkana is well-credentialed when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Our Verdict: Is the Renault Arkana Worth it?

While it might not be one of the most well-known vehicles in its class, the Renault Arkana has a lot going for it when it comes to European looks, equipment, driving comfort and safety equipment for the price.

As an urban runaround, the Arkana is simple and comfortable to drive, while the sizable package lends itself well to family duties, especially for a small SUV, unless you’re dealing with tall rear passengers.

As a result, we highly recommend adding the Arkana to your compact SUV shortlist. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. 6.0L/100km combined cycle fuel economy

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

4. 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine across the range

5. 485L maximum boot space 

Pros

• Good value

• Sleek looks

• Willing and fuel-efficient four-cylinder turbo engine

• Comfortable platform, easy to drive around town

Cons

• Limited leg and headroom in the second row

• Some safety equipment is reserved for higher-spec variants

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Renault Arkana Competition