Light hybrid or Full Hybrid? This is relevant if you're thinking of buying the new Renault Arkana

Renault has just reworked the Renault Arkana with a styling update that also simplifies the range. Here you can check how the offer for this coupé-style SUV looks, along with its prices. Currently you can choose between three trim levels: Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine. All are available with two powertrain variants: the petrol TCe with EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox and MHEV mild hybrid system, which produces 140 CV in the Evolution and Techno and 160 CV for the Esprit Alpine; or the E-TECH Full Hybrid, with 145 CV across all trims.

And the dilemma when choosing the powertrain is very reasonable, since both the MHEV and the E-TECH hybrids carry the DGT ECO label, and the price difference is small: the E-TECH hybrids cost 1,600 euros more than the mild hybrid MHEVs, except in the Esprit Alpine trim, where the difference drops to 600 euros. Is it worth paying the extra for the E-TECH hybrid? Let’s see.

Similar figures, different technologies

A first consideration to keep in mind is boot capacity. The over 510 litres of the Arkana MHEV drop to 480 litres in the E-TECH hybrid, which has to make room for the high-voltage system battery. Remember that MHEV technology is a simple form of light hybridisation in which a small electric motor, which cannot drive the wheels on its own, acts as generator and starter motor and allows energy to be recovered during deceleration and braking, which provides a small additional boost during acceleration phases and, above all, reduces consumption.

For its part, the E-TECH system is a “full hybrid”, which in the case of Renault uses an electric motor capable of adding its power to the combustion engine’s or of driving the vehicle on its own in certain driving phases, a second electric motor that also works as a generator and is part of the “multimode” gearbox, and a high-voltage battery. It is these propulsion system elements that give the E-TECH’s boot less capacity, although the little over 30 litres can hardly be decisive compared with more important factors such as consumption or performance.

The answer lies in use: lots of city driving or more open road?

If we dig a little deeper, the theory, that is, the technical specifications, gives us two relevant clues. First, the MHEVs accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds (9.1 for the more powerful Esprit Alpine), while the E-TECH, which carries 100 kg more weight from the hybrid system, needs one second longer to reach 100 km/h from a standstill. On the other hand there is the homologated consumption: 4.7 l/100 km for the hybrid Arkana, versus 5.7 l/100 km for the MHEV (6.0 for the Esprit Alpine).

Practice only confirms the figures: behind the wheel, the Arkana MHEV handles better on country roads and motorways because it feels more agile, with greater acceleration and recovery capacity. For its part, the E-TECH hybrid is somewhat slower in these situations, but it performs like a fish in water in town, with smoother operation and immediate response. As for consumption, the MHEV also has the edge on the open road, but the gap with the E-TECH is much smaller than the hybrid’s advantage in town. If we consider average consumption in normal use combining all kinds of routes, it is easy for the E-TECH to achieve averages around 1-1.5 l/100 km lower than the MHEV, with the gap widening the more kilometres are driven in town.

So which one to choose? Each person’s particular circumstances may come into play; for example, if luggage space is crucial, if you will mainly use the car on the open road, or if you choose the Esprit Alpine trim and value performance above consumption, then we’d go for the MHEV. For everyone else I think the greater technological content of the E-TECH hybrid, its unbeatable consumption in town and performance that doesn’t fall short either make up for what you have to pay extra for hybrid technology.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverRenault Arkana7 versions · from 29,454 €