New Renault Arkana coupe-SUV arrives with hybrid powertrains

• Uses the same platform as Clio and Captur
• Hybrid and mild-hybrid engines
• On sale now starting from £25,300

Specifications and prices for the new Renault Arkana have been revealed. The coupe-SUV model is billed as a more stylish alternative to the Captur, with prices starting from £25,300. First customer deliveries are slated for September this year.

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When it arrives, the Arkana SUV will be available in three trim levels with a range of hybrid and petrol engine options. While it has few direct rivals, the Arkana could be considered a rival to the Kia XCeed and a cut-price competitor to the BMW X4 and Mercedes GLC Coupe.

2021 Renault Arkana: pricing and specifications

The Renault Arkana is available in three trim levels, with the entry-level ‘Iconic’ trim starting from £25,300. This gets you a long list of standard equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, a rear view camera, and electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors.

The interior features black cloth upholstery with grey detailing and automatic air conditioning. A seven-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is fitted alongside a 4.2-inch digital display located in the analogue dial cluster. Despite its entry-level status, the Iconic model also has a decent array of safety kit including a speed limiter, cruise control, traffic sign recognition, active emergency braking and lane keep assist.

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Above this, the Arkana S Edition has 18-inch alloys, automatic high-beam functionality to the headlights and tinted rear windows. Adaptive cruise control is fitted along with a blind-sport warning system.

Inside, faux-leather seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are standard fit. It also gets three driving modes and ambient interior lighting. Technology upgrades include a seven-inch digital dial cluster and a 9.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with live traffic functionality. Prices for the S Edition start from £27,600.

Taking inspiration from the Renault Megane R.S., the Arkana R.S. Line starts from £29,900 and has a sportier bodykit, black painted 18-inch alloys and unique paint colours, a pair of chrome exhaust tips and red contrasting trim. Changes inside include leather and suede upholstery with red stitching, red striped seat belts, carbon-effect dashboard trim and a set of aluminium pedals.

Buyers can also choose from numerous optional extras, depending on the trim level. The mid-range S Edition can be upgraded with a winter pack for £250, adding heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Leather-trimmed seats can also be added for £1,000. Both the S Edition and R.S. Line models can be specced with an opening sunroof for £1,000, with a gloss black roof panel costing £300. Safety upgrades for the R.S. Line models are limited to an adaptive cruise control system for £250, which adds stop and go functionality and automatic lane centering.

Styling

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The Arkana sits between the Renault Captur and the Renault Kadjar in the manufacturer’s range. It features Renault’s familiar front-end styling, with C-shaped LED daytime running lights and a chrome-edged grille but the roofline swoops down to a spoiler just below the rear windscreen.

Its design gives it a fastback look reminiscent of saloons and hatchbacks like the Renault Laguna, and is similar to the Audi Q3 Sportback and BMW X4 but Renault has undercut German rivals with the Arkana’s price.

Interior and practicality

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The dashboard looks to be largely carried over from the Clio and Captur, and high-spec cars will get an impressive 9.3-inch portrait touchscreen and a fully digital instrument cluster. Each specification will get an exclusive trim set - carbon-fibre effect for RS Line - but all get chrome touches and a leather gear selector for an upmarket feel. RS Line cars also get red stitching and leather/suede upholstery.

Despite its coupe shape, the Arkana offers 513-litres of boot space and a full-height tailgate, which is only 23 litres shy of the Captur when its seats are in their most forward position. It’s actually bigger than some cars from the class above, including the Kadjar and the Nissan Qashqai, so could be a hit with families looking for space and style.

Engines

Combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors, the Arkana E-Tech hybrid produces 143bhp and is said to be capable of doing around 80% of in-town journeys on electricity alone - as long as the battery is charged. There are Eco and Sport driving modes, and a ‘My Sense’ mode that acts as a middle ground between the two. According to Renault, this engine returns fuel economy of up to 57.6mpg.

A 1.3-litre petrol engine producing 138bhp is the other option. It has mild-hybrid tech and is shared with the latest Clio. Power is sent to the front wheels via a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It’s slightly less economical then the hybrid, officially managing up to 48.7mpg.

See where the Renault Captur lands on our list of the best family SUVs.