There’s a brand new Renault Arkana on the town – however you won’t realise if you first see it.

Renault’s SUV coupe stays a novel possibility in Australia, as considered one of simply two ‘coupe’ crossovers at this value – the opposite being the GWM Haval H6 GT.

The facelifted mannequin receives refined modifications and a few additional gear, and the flagship 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine brings new branding to the outgoing R.S. Line halo in keeping with a worldwide change.

Drawing upon the Alpine efficiency model, the Esprit Alpine nameplate brings sportier trims and finishes in keeping with the now-defunct R.S. Line, however as an alternative of flashes of yellow there’s extra pops of blue.

There’s nonetheless no hybrid possibility, regardless of Renault Australia indicating final 12 months a extra environment friendly E-Tech Full Hybrid model would “seemingly” be a part of the native vary. Learn extra on the up to date assertion right here.

Nonetheless, Renault has managed to maintain costs the identical relative to the outgoing mannequin, whereas including package like a surround-view digicam, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a lane centring operate throughout the vary. The Esprit Alpine on check features a brand new Bose-branded premium audio system.

Does the Korean-built French crossover coupe have what it takes to make a much bigger splash in Australia? Or, are the modifications too minimal to make sufficient of an impression in such a aggressive phase?

How a lot does the Renault Arkana value?

Pricing is unchanged over the Intens and R.S. Line grades being changed. Whereas the mid-spec Techno is the present entry level, a extra inexpensive entry model to interchange the Zen is “coming quickly”.

To see how the Arkana traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.

What’s the Renault Arkana like on the within?

The Esprit Alpine brings revised trim and gear, however the fundamental Arkana expertise may be very a lot the identical.

In case you purchase the flagship mannequin you’ll discover particulars like revised seat trims combining vegan leather-based with suede inserts, full with quilted stitching particulars and blue Alpine logos embroidered within the backrests.

You get good stitching particulars on the steering wheel too, in addition to the door inserts, each of which rating a fetching tricolore sew sample within the colors of the French flag.

There’s a brand new ‘slate’ dashboard insert that seems to imitate marbled carbon-fibre, however get too shut and also you realise it’s only a tough plastic panel which truly feels a bit low-cost. This sample is utilized to the doorways, too.

Other than that all the things feels fairly properly constructed just like the pre-update model, with soft-touch surfaces atop the sprint and doorways in addition to that swish ‘floating’ centre console design incorporating a traditional gearshift.

Up entrance you get electrically adjustable chairs with powered lumbar for the driving force. It’s not essentially frequent for the passenger seat to be powered within the compact class… however oddly there’s no base cushion angle adjustment for the driving force.

Each entrance seats are heated for each the Techno and Esprit Alpine, and the perforated leather-based steering wheel is heated on the Esprit Alpine.

All fashions at launch rating a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.3-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen shared with the outgoing mannequin. The older R-Hyperlink software program presents good graphics however slower refresh charges than many rivals, although the arduous button shortcuts and show choices are good.

For the facelift, the infotainment system scores wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bolstered by a wi-fi smartphone charger to maintain your gadget juiced. There’s additionally native navigation when you choose embedded methods, and DAB radio options.

The Bose-branded eight-speaker premium audio system within the Esprit Alpine doesn’t set the benchmark however presents good sound high quality, and because of the comparatively properly insulated cabin (extra on that within the driving part) you’ll be capable to take pleasure in your favorite beats with out having to compete with highway noise on journeys out of city.

Regardless of the coupe-style roofline the Arkana presents surprisingly good area within the rear, with head- and legroom fairly respectable for an grownup measuring round six ft tall.

If in case you have longer legs you may need tight knee room behind a taller driver, however there are scalloped out sections within the seatbacks to offer you extra space and, as I famous earlier, you could have heaps of headroom even with the sunroof.

Two adults ought to be wonderful again there however this received’t be giving a Kia Seltos any sleepless nights. There are good inclusions like directional rear air vents, map pockets behind each entrance seats, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.

Carrying youngsters? ISOFIX on the outboard seats and high tether factors throughout all three rear seats have you ever coated, and door bins with bottle holders spherical out the rear facilities. It’s not ‘palatial’, however within the small phase it’s removed from the worst at school.

The boot hasn’t been too compromised by the sloping (operated by hand) hatchback tailgate both, with Renault quoting 485 litres with the rear seats upright, increasing to 1268 litres with the second row folded.

A split-level boot ground permits you to create an underfloor compartment to cover issues away, and there’s an area saver spare wheel decrease down.

To see how the Arkana traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The up to date Arkana lineup in Australia incorporates a carryover drivetrain.

To see how the Arkana traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.

How does the Renault Arkana drive?

Given the drivetrain is carryover, the Arkana’s on-road expertise is extra of the identical.

Our launch drive took us from the Orange Airport in regional New South Wales by way of the encompassing space, which meant loads of high-speed and winding B-roads.

Whereas I think about most Arkanas will spend their time within the suburbs, the extra touring-focused program meant we obtained grasp on how this crossover coupe will handle the lengthy drives so many Australians do frequently.

As I’ve famous in earlier opinions of the Captur, the Arkana presents respectable efficiency and drivability when you’re transferring. However, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission stays a sticking level when getting off the road.

There’s a lazy, barely nervous response on takeoff which takes some getting used to, and every now and then planning. It’s as if the management unit is a novice driver nonetheless getting a cling of participating a clutch in a handbook – it’s a bit off-putting, actually.

After the quirks of that takeoff, the Arkana’s 262Nm of torque from 2250rpm proves fairly useful at getting this comparatively gentle 1349kg crossover transferring at respectable clip.

There’s a pleasant, raspy engine be aware underneath acceleration, too. Renault’s 0-100km/h declare of 9.1 seconds appears modest, however clearly accounts for the doughy preliminary response off the road.

The DCT can also be pretty snappy when you’re transferring, and if you would like higher response you possibly can both flick into Sport mode which sees it maintain gears longer and maintain you within the candy spot; in any other case you need to use the steering-mounted paddle shifters and alter cogs your self.

Regardless of using on 19-inch alloy wheels and low-profile 225/45 tyres, the Esprit Alpine presents a surprisingly well-sorted experience that’s usually European taut however presents good isolation from bumps. Whereas there’s a firmness, there’s minimal jarring or crashing even over some gnarly potholes.

That interprets to dealing with that’s correct and responsive sufficient with out being overtly ‘sporty’. It feels fairly nimble and really feel by way of the steering wheel is respectable, whereas the physique is properly managed by way of corners and there’s good quantities of grip.

Street and wind noise can also be surprisingly properly suppressed in our expertise, with coarse chip roads solely bringing a muted hum into the cabin. I used to be in a position to preserve a standard dialog with my co-driver which is rare for mainstream compact-class SUVs.

A part of the Arkana facelift’s upgrades is the driving force help suite, which now brings energetic lane centring along with lane departure warning and lane maintain help. The character of the roads we drove didn’t enable us to check it correctly, however our expertise with the associated Captur factors to it being one of many higher choices in market.

Whereas it nonetheless wants enchancment in some areas, the Arkana does punch above its weight in others, and when you’re transferring presents a reasonably refined and succesful drive that will likely be gratifying even when you journey past metropolis limits.

What do you get?

Two grades can be found at launch – the Techno and Esprit Alpine.

Arkana Techno normal gear:

• 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• House-saver spare
• Gray entrance and rear skid plates
• Entrance bumper with body-coloured ‘F1-inspired’ blade
• Chrome window trims
• Computerized LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Electrical park brake with auto maintain
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9.3-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 6-speaker Arkamys sound system
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Ambient lighting (eight colors)
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters
• Local weather management
• 8-way energy driver’s seat with energy lumbar
• 6-way energy passenger seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Leather-based upholstery with ‘suedette shoulders’, cream stitching
• 60:40 break up/fold rear seats
• Textured chrome inside trim

Arkana Esprit Alpine provides:

• 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• Gloss black window trims
• Privateness glass
• Sunroof
• 8-speaker Bose sound system
• Black ‘suede-style’ and leatherette upholstery
• Blue stitching particulars
• ‘Slate-look’ inside trim
• Heated steering wheel
• Frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror

A sunroof is a $1500 possibility on the Techno.

Is the Renault Arkana secure?

The Arkana has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed in 2019 on the associated Captur.

Customary security gear contains:

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane centring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane maintain help
• Parking sensors – entrance, aspect, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass digicam system
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Tyre stress monitoring

How a lot does the Renault Arkana value to run?

The Arkana is roofed by Renault’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Renault Arkana

The up to date Arkana may be very a lot a case of ‘similar similar, however [not much] totally different’.

That comes with some good and a few not-so good. The Arkana brings the type of styling you’d pay two or 3 times extra for from established luxurious manufacturers, and drives fairly properly when you get it transferring.

It presents a powerful checklist of normal package in each mid- and flagship grades with out asking for extra money than earlier than, and also you’re coated by a good aftersales program must you be a bit of uncertain about going French.

However, there are nonetheless a variety of areas for enchancment.

The seven-speed DCT is snappy when you’re transferring, however has a hesitant, elastic fell off the road which some will discover nervous or unresponsive in situations the place you want to make a fast getaway, and the shortage of a hybrid possibility is disappointing.

The Esprit Alpine’s new ‘slate’ dashboard and door decor seems a bit naff if we’re trustworthy; and whereas the addition of a {surround} digicam system is welcome, the standard and backbone of the imaginative and prescient is missing in comparison with most different autos providing related options.

Renault Australia appears assured the Arkana’s worth proposition ought to be capable to see the facelift retain its circa-1.0 per cent share of the small SUV phase, although one thing tells me if the E-Tech Full Hybrid was accessible it may purpose a bit of larger.

It’s no secret starvation Down Underneath for electrified SUVs and crossovers is rising, so it looks like an oversight by Renault to bypass a hybrid Arkana within the present panorama – with emissions rules coming into impact in 2025.

In case you’re persuaded by the seems alone, the Arkana is a cool and left-field providing that in the fitting color seems fairly fetching. I’d simply advocate when you’re trying to purchase one, simply take it for a check drive on roads with visitors lights or stop-start manoeuvres so you will get a really feel for the transmission’s low-speed behaviour.

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