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Alpine is Renault’s halo brand, so it’s not surprising the name has been added to the top-of-the-range Arkana in its second generation since launch in 2020.
When I say second generation, it really feels more like a facelift for the coupé SUV, adding what the company calls its novelle vague, or new wave, visual identity.
In line with the Captur, Austral E-Tech and Megane E-Tech EV, it gets a flowing silhouette, while this trim level also features unique styling touches with an F1 blade esprit Alpine front bumper, double exhaust tailpipes in gloss black, black door mirrors and esprit Alpine badging.
The front profile features a new diamond grille, and Renault LED Pure Vision lighting complemented by signature C-shape LED daytime running lights. Skid plates front and rear offer an added touch of ruggedness, while there are diamond-cut alloy wheels, 19-inch version in this grade, that give the Arkana a powerful stance.
Tinted windows and black lower door protection round off the design on all models, with either chrome or gun metal inserts depending on the trim level.
There’s a 3D LED light bar stretching across the tailgate from the taillights to meet the central Renault badge, so you won’t miss one if it’s in front of you.
Inside, the car feels very spacious, even for five adults, with particularly generous headroom in the back that also makes it easier to fit and remove child seats. Renault’s latest digital displays, a 9.3- inch infotainment screen and 10-inch TFT instrument panel, offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and there’s a wireless charge pad in the higher grades, and over-the-air software updates.
Interior styling touches unique to the esprit Alpine trim level include artificial leather and suede upholstery, a frameless auto dimming rear-view mirror, and an upgraded specification that includes heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s lumbar adjustment, and a heated steering wheel.
There also is a choice of eight interior ambient lighting colours, with illuminated strips along the doors and dashboard panel that can be changed via the Multisense menus.
Safety is well addressed. You get blind spot warning, Renault Automatic Emergency Assist, traffic sign recognition with overspeed prevention (linked with the speed limiter), variable assistance electric power steering, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers with rain sensors, and automatic high/ low beam adjust.
In this grade, you also get adaptative cruise control and speed limiter, stop-go, and lane-centring assist.
There are two cupholders in the foldable centre armrest in the back, where the seat split is 33:66. The boot space is generous at 480 litres, while that expands to 1,263 litres with the rear seat folded flat.
Entry is keyless, and Renault still persists with the bulky keycard, which I’ve never been wild about. It also is exceptionally sensitive – you only have to walk about a metre from the car when it automatically locks, and come within the same distance to unlock it.
It sounds great but it’s pretty annoying when you’re bringing in four of five bags of groceries and it’s locking and unlocking multiple times.
On the road, despite a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and twin electric motors, the Arkana takes a fairly leisurely 10.8 seconds to get from 0-100kph, though compensation comes in the form of fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100km, in WLTP testing. Renault also claims that around 80 per cent of your urban motoring will be in full electric mode.
The company is on a bit of a roll, with this and the Austral relatively new to the range. Also new to market is the all-new Renault Rafale E-Tech full hybrid, which sounds a lot tastier, despite an entry-level price tag of €51,495.
Another coupé crossover, the front-wheel drive version offers 200hp, while the all-wheel drive boasts 300hp, and up to 1,100km driving range. It also features a massive panoramic sunroof that darkens and lightens on demand, and 32 advanced safety features.
So there’s that to look forward to. In the meantime, I enjoyed my time in the Arkana E-Tech. It’s a pleasant drive, smooth and untaxing, and the greatest of its many attributes is the space on offer, for driver and passengers, and in the cargo area.
Above all, in the current climate, it is not expensive. I know €32,590 is not exactly cheap either, but for what you get it doesn’t seem in any way excessive.
RENAULT ARKANA E-TECH
PRICE Entry-level, Evolution trim, €32,590; Model driven, esprit Alpine TCe 160 auto, €40,690
POWERTRAIN 1.6-litre petrol electric twin motor hybrid
MAX COMBINED POWER 145hp
TRANSMISSION Automatic
0-100KM/H 10.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 172kph
FUEL CONSUMPTION 4.5L/100km
EMISSIONS 107g/km €180 tax
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