Renault Arkana - on the road to success|Automotive

It is hard to believe, but it seems, that Arkana has no competitors – and, possibly, this is what Renault sees as an opportunity to earn more. More and more SUVs and crossovers appear on the premium shelf, bodies which resemble coupe cars, but Arkana – first among popular brands. French people, watching the popularity of such cars, like the BMW X6 or Audi Q3 Sportback, decided, what car, which was not originally intended for sale in Europe at all, has a good chance of success.

Contents

Renault Arkana – unusual appearance
Renault Arkana interior
Renault Arkana – design closer to Captur, than to Megane
Our rating

Renault Arkana – unusual appearance

One side, Arkana looks like a Renault car from the first moment, with another, especially when viewed from the side, once you understand, that this is something new – and this should be considered a plus. A little like, that Megan stood on tiptoe and tried to portray a crossover. Arkana's ground clearance is really high (19,9 cm), and the big 18-inch wheels do the job too.

reno arcana

It is worth noting, that the sloping roof did not negatively affect the practicality of the car. Access to the front and rear seats is good, sitting on the back couch, there is a lot of headroom (if your height is no more 185 cm), the luggage compartment is large and holds more 500 liters (hybrid version – 480 l). Sitting on the couch, passengers do not touch the backs of the front seats with their knees.

In general, there are many advantages, but there is also something to criticize. Visibility from the driver's seat sideways forward and backward is terrible, although you sit a little higher in Arkana, than in an ordinary compact (view close up by thick racks). Front and back materials, probably, produced in two different factories. Front soft and pleasant to the touch, and in the back of the cabin – exactly the opposite. Also annoying is the lack of at least one hook in the trunk., on which to hang a shopping bag.

Renault Arkana interior

As for the trim, then Arkana – typical Renault. The central place on the dashboard is occupied by a vertical screen diagonal 9,3 inch (in the basic version – 7 inches). We have no serious objection to this., except, that keeping it clean is quite difficult. Also in the Arcana there are many compartments, there is a place, where can you put a big smartphone (and charge it, if it can be done wirelessly). The front seats are nicely stiff, probably, so getting out of the car even after a long trip is easy. There is a display in front of the driver's eyes, which the, depending on the selected driving mode, provides information in a different style. for example, in sport mode, the tachometer takes center stage, and in Eco mode, graphics appear instead, showing, Does the driver drive economically.

The multimedia system uses the Internet, and, eg, navigation can indicate traffic intensity with the corresponding color, but still warns, that we are entering a dirt road, although it was paved long ago. Even worse, this message type cannot be disabled. Another word on air conditioning. While a month ago in the Tipo test, we criticized the ventilation system for cooling the passenger compartment at low temperatures outside, it's the other way around for Arkana. When you install 20 degrees Celsius, the air conditioning system starts working with great enthusiasm and heats up the interior mercilessly.

Renault Arkana – design closer to Captur, than to Megane

Slight body roll, quick response to turns – Arkana on the road closer to the compact car, than a crossover. Although Arkana is almost on 20 cm longer, than Megane, and has a longer wheelbase, it is built on the CMF-B platform, he, what is used by smaller Renault models, like Clio and Captur. Here is immediately information for those, who suspects Arkana of a close relationship with the eponymous and stylistic model, which has been offered on our market for some time. Arkana is structurally similar to the Dacia Duster. So the difference is fundamental.

Unlike their smaller brothers, the newest Renault is only available on the market with a 4-cylinder turbo engine 1,3 power 140 or 160 HP. Hybrid version with atmospheric 1.6 with two electric motors will also debut in the future. Petrol versions are separated in the price list by the difference in 1000 dollars. AND, honestly, we are not sure, is it worth paying extra for a more powerful motor, because the basic one provides good performance with moderate fuel consumption. but, first of all, the engine can be commended for its high work culture and good interaction with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (no mechanical in Arkana).

Our rating

Although this is the fourth crossover / Renault SUV, he differs from others in his character, which is closer to the classic compact car. From our point of view, important, so that the original style of Arkana does not affect its practicality and comfort. Quality cab, dynamic and economical engine, competitive price. We found several cons, but in general – strong four.

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