Test drive of the Renault Arkana: design and functionality with ECO label, at a good price

Over the last few years, SUVs have been the preferred models among vehicle buyers in Spain, reaching figures above 50 percent of sales. The segment in which the Renault Arkana competes, the mid-size or compact segment, accounts for more than 25 percent of the market.

The new model, which is manufactured in Busan, South Korea, has a length of 4.57 metres and a height of 1.57 metres, offers generous interior space for five occupants and a boot volume that reaches 513 litres in the mild hybrid versions and 480 litres in the E-Tech hybrid variants. It can reach 1,500 litres if the rear seatbacks, configured in a 40:60 split, are folded down, leaving a completely flat floor.

The range will consist of three versions with ECO label, all relying on electricity, in mild hybrid or hybrid variants. Plug-in hybrid or pure electric versions are not planned. For now, the TCe versions with 140 CV 1.3 mild hybrid go on sale first, in June the 145 CV E-Tech hybrids, while the 160 CV 1.3 TCe mild hybrid will not arrive until October.

Although the model is not completely new, as it was already launched for the Russian market in 2018, the brand’s managers assure that it shares only 5 percent of its parts with that version, since the Arkana is now based on the Alliance’s modular CMF-B platform, also used in the latest generations of Clio and Captur, and not on the SUV-B platform used previously for the Dacia Duster.

Striking design

It may or may not appeal to everyone, but it does not go unnoticed, as the Arkana presents a line never seen before in the brand: a SUV silhouette with coupé profile. It allows family use with a different design that takes nothing away from interior or cargo space. It offers a notable ground clearance of 200 mm, well above what is usual in the segment, a raised waistline and a steeply sloping roofline. The front grille features trim and details familiar from other models in the group, with the classic LED daytime running lights and rear lights that continue the light shape towards the centre of the tailgate.

It is offered in seven body colours, including a specific Valencia Orange exclusive to the RS Line version. Its options include the possibility of two-tone paint with a black roof and three different alloy wheels in 17 and 18 inch sizes.

The RS Line trim enhances the sporty look with some characteristic details, in addition to the specific colour, also through some elements finished in chrome or gloss black on the bodywork. Its bumpers are different, as are the wheels “Silverstone” adorned with red details. An RS Line identification badge on the wings characterises this version, while an optional colour pack is offered for the front and rear protectors, lower door mouldings, black roof and gloss-black spoiler on the tailgate base.

Inside, it stands out with door panels and dashboard finished in carbon-look trim, a red trim accent, a leather steering wheel and mixed leather and Alcantara upholstery. It also adds aluminium pedals, a gear lever with electric control and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. As in the brand’s latest products, it features a digital instrument cluster with a colour screen of 4.2″, 7″ or 10.2 inches and a central screen of 7 or 9.3 inches with multiple functions.

The front seats are spacious and comfortable, while the rear seats stand out for their longitudinal space and generous legroom under the front seats. Access to the back is not especially comfortable –due to the sloping roofline– although once inside, it offers a generous headroom, plenty of leg room and notable foot space under the front seats. On this point it is worth highlighting that, even in the lowest position of the driver’s seat, it sits quite high above the ground.

Driving aids

Naturally, the Arkana Renault incorporates a range of the latest safety and driving assistance systems, such as the driving assistant, which combines adaptive cruise control –from 0 to 170 km/h– with lane-keeping assist and automatic stop-start function, active emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, the automatic headlight switching system, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, parking assistance, and so on. A 360º camera system with four cameras will also be offered later.

Its equipment includes a wireless smartphone charging system, electric parking brake with auto-hold function, four USB ports and 4G connectivity with TomTom Live compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

All ECO engines

A decisive commitment in this model is that all versions carry the DGT ECO label, as there is no version with a diesel engine nor plug-in hybrid or pure electric versions. For now, the 140 CV mild hybrid version known from the Clio goes on sale. It features a 1.3 TCe turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine to which is added an alternator-starter motor system linked to an additional 12V lithium-ion battery and coupled to a 7-speed EDC automatic dual-clutch gearbox.

It allows energy regeneration during deceleration phases and switching off the combustion engine during braking. Thanks to this system it promises a fuel consumption and emissions reduction of around 8 percent and smoother engine start-up. It delivers 260 Nm of torque available between 1,750 and 3,500 rpm, a significant figure for an engine of such small displacement.

It offers three specific driving modes: My Sense for daily driving, ECO for optimised fuel consumption and Sport to enhance performance. The digital screen configuration can be personalised according to the Multi-Sense settings with three available modes, and preferences, ambient lighting and so on can be modified.

Comfortable and efficient

During the first contact we had the opportunity to drive the 140 CV 1.3 TCe mild hybrid in RS Line trim which, as mentioned earlier, has slightly different equipment and specifications, as it is the only one with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Curiously, the paddles allow the gears to be managed in a somewhat peculiar “manual” way, since once you act to downshift, if you press the accelerator pedal, the gearbox immediately switches to automatic mode; that is, it does not have a real manual function. At least in this trim you can “act” on the gearbox in some way, whereas in the Intens or Zen trims, which also include the 7-speed EDC system, it is not possible to modify gearbox management.

Another aspect that caught our attention is the high ride height, with 200 mm ground clearance. This is much higher than what other manufacturers offer on this type of vehicle. However, the Arkana does not have all-wheel drive versions or traction management systems such as Grip Control planned.

For ground clearance there is a notable off-road aptitude, but in terms of traction not even electric assistance on the rear axle is envisaged. It does not seem to be the model’s main vocation, but the body height is certainly eye-catching.

In any case, the handling is good, with a solid footing even when driving on degraded surfaces. The suspension, rather soft, filters well while containing body movements under strong load transfers, and the steering conveys enough feedback about what is happening under the front wheels; it is precise and quick.

As for the engine, it should be highlighted that it performs brilliantly for a 1.3 even though it is minimally assisted by an electric motor-generator, but to get the best out of it it needs to be revved high, in which case fuel consumption figures suffer. If used judiciously it is possible to achieve reasonable consumption figures, which can range around 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Its balance between performance, space, quality and price strikes us as really good.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverRenault Arkana7 versions · from 29,454 €