Renault’s small coupe SUV has received electrification in Australia, though it’s not a full hybrid like that offered in South Korea.

Instead, the Renault Arkana features a 12V mild-hybrid system, with a 3.6kW electric motor. As mild-hybrid systems go, it’s quite mild – 48V systems have become the norm, with 12V systems limited to the Suzuki Swift and Fronx, and the entry-level Renault Symbioz.

Power and torque are up slightly, from 115kW and 262Nm to 116kW and 270Nm, though its 0-100km/h time remains 9.1 seconds. Renault Australia also promises a “smoother operating” dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Combined-cycle fuel consumption is unchanged at 5.9L/100km, with urban fuel consumption dropping from 7.6L/100km to 7.2L/100km, but highway fuel consumption actually increases from 4.9L/100km to 5.2L/100km, and combined-cycle CO2 emissions rise from 133g/km to 134g/km.

Renault is nevertheless marketing the Arkana as the Arkana Hybrid. The base Evolution is gone, with the Techno opening the range at $41,990 before on-road costs – up $500 – and the Esprit Alpine sitting above it at an unchanged $45,990 plus on-roads. Both are arriving in showrooms now.

If you’re after a small Renault SUV with a full-hybrid system, you’ll need to opt for the Symbioz. The recently launched SUV is priced from $36,990 plus on-roads in mild-hybrid guise or from $42,990 plus on-roads as a full hybrid.

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A new matte Satin Grey exterior finish rounds out the updates to the Arkana, which follow a refresh in 2024 that brought tweaked styling and a new Esprit Alpine flagship.

In South Korea, where the Arkana is built, it’s offered with an E-Tech hybrid system. This mates a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a 36kW drive motor and a 15kW auxiliary motor, and a six-speed auto.

Renault Australia has previously ruled out the full-hybrid powertrain as it would erode the Arkana’s value proposition.

Pricing

Drivetrains and Efficiency

There’s just one powertrain available in the Arkana, with a mild-hybrid version of the turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine replacing last year’s non-electrified powertrain.

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The Arkana features MacPherson strut front suspension, plus a torsion-beam axle at the rear.

Dimensions

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Servicing and Warranty

The Renault Arkana is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service intervals are 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first.

Safety

The Renault Arkana no longer has a rating from independent safety authority ANCAP, as its five-star rating from 2019 expired at the end of 2025.

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Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane centring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Surround-view camera
• Front, rear and side parking sensors
• Front, front-side, and curtain airbags

Standard Equipment

There are just two members of the updated Arkana lineup.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

The Techno comes standard with the following equipment:

• 18-inch ‘Silverstone’ alloy wheels in 215/55R18 tyres
• Space-saver spare
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power tailgate
• Proximity entry and start
• Electric park brake with auto hold
• Semi-autonomous parking assist
• Power-folding, demisting door mirrors
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated front seats
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• AM/FM/DAB radio
• 6-speaker Arkamys sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• 2 x front USB-A outlets
• 2 x rear USB-A outlets
• 1 x 12V outlet
• Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Power windows with auto up/down
• 60:40 split/fold rear seats
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Climate control with rear air vents
• Colour-adjustable ambient lighting
• Textured chrome interior trim

The Esprit Alpine adds:

• 19-inch ‘Elixir’ alloy wheels in 225/45R19 tyres
• Sunroof
• Black door mirrors, window trims
• Body-coloured front bumper with dark grey ‘F1-inspired blade design’
• 8-speaker Bose sound system
• Heated steering wheel
• Suede-style upholstery
• Alpine Blue stitching on seats, shifter, centre armrest
• Dark grey headliner
• Blue, white and red stitching elements
• Slate-look interior trim

Options

A sunroof is a $1500 option on the Techno.

Colours

A black roof is a $600 option on both the Techno and Esprit Alpine, with metallic paint finishes costing $900 on both variants.

Solid White is the standard exterior finish on the Techno, with the following metallic finishes available:

• Universal White
• Metallic Black
• Metallic Grey
• Night Blue
• Flame Red

All of these metallic finishes are available on the Esprit Alpine, which can also be had with Satin Grey matte paint for an extra $1150.

MORE: Explore the Renault Arkana showroom