Renault Arkana SUV - Practicality & boot space

Boxy cars are obviously more practical but the Renault Arkana shows you can still have plenty of space with a sleek coupe roofline. Key to that is its size; it may be based on the Renault Captur but the Arkana is a whisker longer than the Renault Kadjar. That roofline is deceiving, too, because there’s as much headroom in the back as you get in the boxier Captur.

Renault Arkana interior space and storage

Part of the reason for the popularity of SUVs is the space they offer, so the growing coupe-SUV market seems to make little sense. But, unlike many others, the Arkana isn’t just a less practical, more stylish version of a regular SUV (in this case the Captur). It’s been re-engineered, with a stretched platform giving more space between the front and rear wheels. That means rear legroom is better than in the Captur, while headroom is good, too. The raised height should make it easy to get children in and out, even with the sloping roofline.

There are a few storage cubbies dotted around, plus big door bins and a central armrest storage area.

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Boot space

The Arkana’s length also results in a large boot. Buyers of the hybrid get 480 litres to fill (measured to the parcel shelf), which is within touching distance of larger family SUVs like the SEAT Ateca. A hatchback tailgate, rather than the half-height one you get on a saloon, makes the Arkana easy to load, too.

The now-discontinued petrol model offered 513 litres, and a further 29 litres of underfloor storage; the hybrid does without this as the battery is mounted underneath the floor. With the seats down, the Arkana offers 1,263 litres, which is on par with the Captur. Unlike the Captur, the Arkana misses out on sliding rear seats.

Towing

It isn’t a car for avid caravanners but the Arkana will be able to tow a small trailer easily. The maximum braked trailer weight is just 760kg for the hybrid, and only slightly better at 900kg for the petrol.