Renault Arkana
Specs, engines and history
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By Oleksandr Hnatiuk, Automotive Editor & Used Car Specialist Reviewed by Felix Hartmann
- Built
- 2019–2020
- Top power
- 92 kW (125 PS)
Which Arkana to buy
Our verdict · Oleksandr Hnatiuk
The E-Tech Hybrid is the best choice for town and suburban driving thanks to its lower fuel use and CO₂ emissions. The 1.3 TCe mild hybrid suits drivers who cover more motorway distance. Facelifted cars from July 2023 onwards have the updated styling. Techno and higher trims add the larger touchscreen and digital instruments. On any used Arkana, check the service history and, on E-Tech models, the hybrid system.
The Renault Arkana is a compact SUV with a sloping, coupé-like roofline. A near-production show car was presented in August 2018, and the first production version followed in 2019 on a revised B0 platform. The global CMF-B version debuted as the Renault Samsung XM3 in South Korea in February 2020. Europe has had the Arkana since September 2020, with mild-hybrid and E-Tech full-hybrid engines.
In short
- Name: from the Latin "arcanum", meaning secret.
- European version (2020–2026): CMF-B platform, 1.3 TCe mild hybrid with 140 PS and 1.6 E-Tech full hybrid with 145 PS, automatic gearboxes.
- Facelift in July 2023 with a new grille and Renault's new logo.
- ANCAP 2019 (aligned with Euro NCAP): 96% for adult occupants, 85% for children; European sales of 80,643 in 2022.
Specs by version
Engines
Dimensions and weight
Show all 1 versions
| Version | Length |
|---|---|
| 1.4 92 kW (125 PS) Coupe | 4,500 mm177.2 in |
Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
Renault Arkana at a glance
The Arkana combines the raised driving position of an SUV with a fastback roofline. It sits between the Renault Kaptur and the larger Renault Koleos in Renault's range. The brand's story is told in the history of Renault, and its models, from the Zoe to the Mégane, are in the Renault catalogue.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Renault, France |
| Show car | August 2018 |
| First production version | 2019, revised B0 platform, 1.3 turbo with CVT |
| Global version | CMF-B platform; Renault Samsung XM3, South Korea, February 2020 |
| Europe | From September 2020 (production 2020–2026) |
| Body | 5-door coupé-SUV |
| Boot | 513 litres |
| Facelift | July 2023 |
Two Arkanas: B0 and CMF-B
There are two different cars called Arkana. The first production version, built from 2019, uses a heavily revised version of Renault's B0 platform and a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with a Jatco CVT8 gearbox. The global Arkana, sold in Europe, South Korea and other markets, uses the newer CMF-B platform and is 25 mm longer than the B0 version. European production of this version is listed from 2020 to 2026, and the July 2023 facelift applied to it. In South Korea it is sold as the XM3 with a 1.3 turbo and seven-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox or a 1.6 petrol with a CVT7.
The show car and the first Arkana
The near-production show car of August 2018 previewed the shape of the Arkana. According to the old 1cars text, its windscreen extended into the roof, and the black roof panel running back to the rear window created the impression of a full glass roof. It rode on 19-inch alloy wheels, while 17-inch wheels were planned for production. At the rear, LED tail lights were joined by a V-shaped light strip across the tailgate above chrome Arkana lettering. The bumper had a black centre section with a silver diffuser and two exhaust outlets.
The first production Arkana, according to the same source, is about 4.5 metres long, roughly 200 mm longer than the Renault Duster. Its stretched B0 platform uses 55% new chassis components and a revised body structure. Its 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine was developed within the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi alliance and is also used in the Renault Kadjar and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. This first version was offered with front-wheel drive and with all-wheel drive.
European engines
| Engine | Type | Power | Gearbox | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 TCe mild hybrid | Turbo petrol, mild hybrid | 140 PS (103 kW) | 7-speed EDC automatic | 132 g/km |
| 1.6 E-Tech Hybrid | Petrol full hybrid | 145 PS (107 kW) | Automatic | 108–109 g/km |
The E-Tech Hybrid is the most economical version, with an official 58.9 mpg (UK), about 4.8 litres per 100 km. The mild hybrid is rated at 48.7 mpg, about 5.8 litres per 100 km.
Design
According to the old 1cars text, the Arkana's front end features C-shaped LED daytime running lights that extend towards the bumper and LED headlights divided into sections. The grille has horizontal chrome bars around a large Renault badge. The sloping roofline runs into a short tail with a small spoiler. The July 2023 facelift brought a new front grille and Renault's new logo. The RS Line trim adds a front bumper with an F1-style blade, a honeycomb grille and chrome exhaust tips.
Interior and equipment
| Trim (UK, 2022) | Main equipment |
|---|---|
| Evolution | 17-inch wheels, full LED headlights, 7-inch touchscreen, rear camera, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist |
| Techno | 18-inch wheels, 10-inch digital instruments, 9.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless charging, blind-spot monitor |
| RS Line | Leather and suede seats, heated steering wheel, heated electric front seats, hands-free parking |
| E-Tech Engineered | Adaptive cruise control, gold interior and exterior details |
The boot holds 513 litres, with a raised floor and rear seats that fold flat. Each front door pocket holds a 1.5-litre bottle.
The old 1cars text describes the interior of the first Arkana as practical rather than luxurious, with fabric, synthetic leather and plastic trim. Its rectangular air vents are unusual for Renault, and the conventional instrument panel has a central trip computer display, with physical switches for the comfort functions. It lists heated front and rear seats with good side support and a rear armrest, while the 2018 show car had a 12-inch central touchscreen.
Safety
ANCAP tested the Arkana in 2019 under a protocol aligned with Euro NCAP and recorded 96% for adult occupants, 85% for children, 75% for pedestrians and 72% for safety assist. Standard equipment on the European base trim includes automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist and hill start assist.
European sales
| Year | Europe |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 40,847 |
| 2022 | 80,643 |
Sales almost doubled in 2022, the Arkana's second full year on sale in Europe; the 2021 figure covers the first full year after the September 2020 launch. The European figures cover the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
Rivals: how the Arkana compares
The Arkana competes with compact SUVs and coupé-SUVs such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the Toyota C-HR and the Kia Niro. Its strengths are a distinctive coupé shape, a 513-litre boot, a full-hybrid option and strong crash-test results. The old 1cars text notes that its design echoes Renault's other models while remaining distinctive.
Renault Arkana in our rankings
- No. 46 of 109 · Smallest coupes (4,500 mm · top 43%)
- No. 266 of 564 · Smallest cars (4,500 mm · top 48%)
- No. 317 of 564 · Longest cars (4,500 mm · top 57%)
- No. 65 of 109 · Longest coupes (4,500 mm · top 60%)
- No. 53 of 80 · Most powerful French cars (92 kW · top 67%)
- No. 307 of 362 · Most powerful cars of the 2010s (92 kW · top 86%)
Shorter than 57% of ranked coupes in the 1CARS catalog (No. 46 of 109).
Renault Arkana photos 23
FAQ
What does the name Arkana mean?
Renault says the name derives from the Latin word "arcanum", meaning secret. The name was first used on a near-production show car presented in August 2018.
Is there a Renault Arkana hybrid?
Yes. In Europe the Arkana is offered as a 1.6 E-Tech full hybrid with 145 PS and CO₂ emissions of 108–109 g/km, and as a 1.3 TCe mild hybrid with 140 PS.
How big is the Renault Arkana's boot?
The boot holds 513 litres, with a raised floor and rear seats that fold flat, and each front door pocket can hold a 1.5-litre bottle, according to Fleet News.
What is the Renault Samsung XM3?
The XM3 is the South Korean version of the CMF-B Arkana, which debuted there in February 2020. It is offered with a 1.3 turbo and seven-speed EDC gearbox or a 1.6 petrol with a CVT.
How safe is the Renault Arkana?
In ANCAP's 2019 test, aligned with Euro NCAP, it scored 96% for adult occupants, 85% for children, 75% for pedestrians and 72% for safety assist.
Data sources
Data collected automatically from the sources below and not yet checked by an editor.
- The text of this article (1cars archive)
