2025 Renault Arkana Review: A Stylish Comeback You Didn’t Expect

The automotive world is buzzing with the return of the Renault Arkana, and this latest model—the 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine Edition—marks a notable shift for Renault. After years of waiting, this sporty-looking, small-to-midsize SUV coupe is back, blending elegance, functionality, and efficiency. Renault has managed to carve a space in an ultra-competitive SUV segment, taking on major players like the Volkswagen T-Roc, Škoda Kamiq, and Toyota Corolla Cross.

In this detailed review, we’ll break down everything about the new 2025 Renault Arkana—from its design and performance to tech features and practicality—so you can decide if this stylish contender is worth your attention.

Key Features of the 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine Edition

• Price: Starting at $45,000 before on-road costs
• Engine: 1.3L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine
• Power Output: 115 kW and 262 Nm of torque
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
• Drive Modes: MySense, Sport, Eco
• 0-100 km/h time: 9.57 seconds
• Fuel Efficiency: As low as 6.0L per 100 km on highways
• Safety Rating: 5-star ANCAP safety rating

Design and Exterior Features: A Coupe with a Bold Attitude

The 2025 Renault Arkana makes a statement with its coupe-like profile, giving it a dynamic and sporty stance. What truly makes it stand out are the exterior touches on the Esprit Alpine Edition, which pushes the design boundaries even further.

What’s New on the Outside?

• Alpine Branding: The shift from Renault RS models to Alpine is clear with the prominent Alpine logos. This marks Renault’s decision to phase out RS branding, bringing Alpine’s sporty appeal to the forefront.
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels: You can’t help but notice the aggressive 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook tires. These wheels not only improve the visual appeal but also add to the overall sporty character.
• LED Headlights: The front is equipped with LED headlights and LED turning signals, ensuring visibility and modern aesthetics. Unfortunately, the rear still uses halogen bulbs for the brake lights and indicators—a point of disappointment for a top-tier model.
• Aerodynamics: Renault hasn’t forgotten the functional side of design. You get functional aero elements like the sporty splitter and air slots around the wheels to improve brake cooling and overall aerodynamics. These subtle touches enhance both efficiency and handling dynamics.

Standout Design Features:

• New Renault logo integrated into the front grille.
• Coupe silhouette with an optional ducktail spoiler ($300 upgrade).
• No power tailgate, but still highly practical with a large boot space.

Interior and Comfort: Sporty Luxury on a Budget

Step inside the 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine, and you’ll be welcomed by a surprisingly high-quality interior. Renault has gone the extra mile to make sure this crossover SUV doesn’t feel like a budget vehicle—especially in this top-end trim.

Interior Highlights:

• Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel: Renault excels at creating great steering wheels, and this model doesn’t disappoint. The steering wheel features tricolor stitching (red, white, and blue) that nods to the Alpine heritage.
• Suede-style Seats: The seats are made from a high-quality suede-style material paired with leatherette, providing an upscale feel. While there’s no real leather here, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference. The seats are comfortable, supportive, and come with electric adjustments and heating functions.
• 10.25-inch Driver Display: This digital display is clear and customizable. It changes based on your selected drive mode, but there’s a slight quirk—the speedometer disappears briefly when switching between modes.
• 9.3-inch Portrait Infotainment System: Renault has opted for a unique portrait-oriented infotainment screen. While it’s not the most user-friendly or high-tech system on the market, it does come with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which most users will default to anyway.

Storage and Practicality:

• Boot Capacity: The Arkana’s boot offers 485 liters of space, expandable when you fold down the rear seats. You also get a false floor that can be adjusted for additional storage, and there’s a space-saver spare tire underneath.
• Backseat Comfort: Rear passengers aren’t forgotten, with ample legroom and headroom. The seats are bolstered with the same suede-style material, and rear-seat passengers have access to USB-A ports and air vents.

Pros and Cons of the Interior:

Performance: Balanced, But Not a Hot Hatch

Renault has equipped the 2025 Arkana with a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 115 kW of power and 262 Nm of torque to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). While these figures don’t make the Arkana a powerhouse, they are adequate for its intended market.

Acceleration and Driving Dynamics

Renault claims a 0-100 km/h time of 9.57 seconds, which is acceptable for a small SUV but certainly not thrilling. The Arkana isn’t designed for performance; instead, it shines in everyday driving scenarios. The engine is frugal, achieving fuel economy in the low 6.0L per 100 km on highways, especially when using 91 octane fuel—a budget-friendly touch in today’s world of rising fuel prices.

Transmission Woes

While the 7-speed DCT works well most of the time, it still suffers from occasional sluggishness. The Arkana hesitates when accelerating from low speeds, which can be frustrating in stop-and-go traffic. This is an issue Renault has faced before, and while it’s slightly improved, it still lags behind rivals in this area.

Drive Modes and Handling

The MySense, Sport, and Eco drive modes give drivers the flexibility to tweak the steering and throttle response. Interestingly, the MySense mode lets you customize individual settings, and the sweet spot for most drivers might be sport mode for the powertrain paired with regular steering for a more natural driving feel.

Handling: Surprisingly Fun

Despite its SUV classification, the Arkana offers sharp handling, particularly in twisty roads. It’s equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, and although you feel the road more, the Arkana still manages to be comfortable enough for daily commutes. The steering in regular mode feels connected, making it enjoyable to drive on back roads.

Pros and Cons of Performance:

Safety Features: Ready for Anything

The 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine comes fully equipped with all the latest safety systems. It has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, thanks to a suite of driver-assist technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Renault has also included a 360-degree camera, which is a great addition in this class. However, it’s worth noting that some of these features, like the driver assistance systems, are nearly invisible unless you activate them, which speaks to their non-intrusive nature.

Full List of Safety Features:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• 360-degree Camera
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Should You Buy the 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine?

The 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine is an appealing choice if you’re looking for a small, stylish SUV that stands out in a crowded segment. It’s perfect for those who value fuel efficiency, a high-quality interior, and an attractive design. However, it’s not the car for drivers looking for high performance or all-wheel drive capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Unique Coupe-SUV Design: The Arkana’s standout design, particularly with the Esprit Alpine trim, makes it a head-turner in any setting.
• Frugal and Efficient: If you’re watching your fuel budget, the Arkana delivers excellent efficiency while running on 91-octane fuel.
• Comfortable Daily Driver: For day-to-day driving, especially in city traffic, the Arkana offers comfort, practicality, and all the tech features modern drivers expect.

Verdict

If you’re after a unique, stylish SUV that prioritizes efficiency, comfort, and design, the 2025 Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine Edition is certainly worth considering. It’s not perfect, but for those prioritizing aesthetic appeal and day-to-day usability over sheer performance, it fits the bill.