The 2024 Renault Arkana is a compact SUV that combines a stylish design with a hybrid powertrain and advanced technology. The French automaker unveiled the facelifted version of its crossover in July 2023, promising more efficiency, performance, and comfort for its customers.
What's new for 2024?
The 2024 Renault Arkana is based on the same platform as the previous model, which was launched in 2019 in Russia and in 2020 in Europe. However, it features some noticeable changes in its exterior and interior design, as well as in its engine options and equipment.
The most striking difference is the new front end, which adopts Renault's latest design language. The new Renault Arkana has a more prominent grille with chrome inserts, new LED headlights with daytime running lights, and a redesigned bumper with larger air intakes. The rear end also gets a makeover, with new LED taillights connected by a light strip, a reshaped tailgate, and a sporty diffuser.
The 2024 Renault Arkana also offers more color choices for its bodywork, including two new shades: Rouge Flamme (Flame Red) and Bleu Céladon (Celadon Blue). Additionally, customers can opt for a contrasting black roof and black mirror caps for a more dynamic look.
The interior of the Renault Arkana has been upgraded with new materials and finishes, such as leather upholstery, aluminum trim, and ambient lighting. The dashboard features a new 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster with customizable displays. The Renault Arkana also boasts more storage space, thanks to a larger center console and door pockets.
The Renault Arkana comes with a range of safety and convenience features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, reversing camera, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and a premium sound system.
What's under the hood?
The 2024 Renault Arkana offers three engine options: two hybrid variants and one conventional gasoline unit. The hybrid variants are based on Renault's E-Tech technology, which combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack.
The first hybrid option is the E-Tech Hybrid 145, which delivers 145 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. It has a fuel consumption of 5 liters per 100 kilometers (47 miles per gallon) and CO2 emissions of 113 grams per kilometer. It can also run on electric power alone for up to 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) at speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour (47 miles per hour).
The second hybrid option is the E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160, which delivers 160 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It has a fuel consumption of 1.3 liters per 100 kilometers (181 miles per gallon) and CO2 emissions of 29 grams per kilometer. It can also run on electric power alone for up to 65 kilometers (40 miles) at speeds of up to 135 kilometers per hour (84 miles per hour). It has a battery capacity of 9.8 kilowatt-hours, which can be fully charged in about three hours using a standard wall socket or in about 90 minutes using a 7.4-kilowatt charger.
The third engine option is the TCe 140, which is a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 140 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It has a fuel consumption of 6.2 liters per 100 kilometers (38 miles per gallon) and CO2 emissions of 140 grams per kilometer. It is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
All three engine options are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the trim level and the market.
How much does it cost?
The Arkana will go on sale in Europe in early 2024, followed by other markets such as Asia and Latin America. The pricing has not been announced yet, but it is likely to be similar to the current model, which starts at €29,900 ($35,400) in France and £25,300 ($34,800) in the UK.
The new Renault Arkana competes with other compact SUVs, such as the Ford Kuga, the Peugeot 3008, the Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Toyota C-HR. However, it stands out with its sleek coupe-like silhouette, hybrid technology, and premium features.
The 2024 Renault Arkana is part of Renault's strategy to renew its product portfolio and increase its profitability and market share. The automaker aims to launch 14 new models by 2025, including seven electric vehicles and seven hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
According to Luca de Meo, the CEO of Renault, the 2024 Renault Arkana is "more Nouvelle Vague than ever," referring to the French artistic movement that revolutionized cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. He said that the new Renault Arkana represents "a new way of designing, producing and selling cars that are more efficient, more attractive and more affordable."
The 2024 Renault Arkana is a promising SUV that combines style, performance, and efficiency. It is a vehicle that appeals to the customers' rational and emotional sides, offering them a unique driving experience.
