Renault has given its Arkana crossover a facelift, raising the model’s status with a more premium design and a new range-topping trim inspired by the Alpine performance brand.
The updated Renault Arkana showcases the French automaker’s new ‘Nouvel’R’ brand identity, which features a reimagined rhombus logo divided into distinct geometric lines. The logo is available in black, satin chrome, or dark chrome finish.
To enhance the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal, Renault has replaced the chrome elements around the grille, windows, and side skirts of the Arkana with black-painted parts. The mid-tier Techno variant now features the previously exclusive ‘blade’ front bumper, which was reserved for the range-topping RS Line and E-Tech Engineered trim levels.
The new range-topping trim, Esprit Alpine, replaces the RS Line and aligns the Arkana with the Alpine brand rather than Renault Sport. The Esprit Alpine comes with a satin grey ‘blade’ front bumper, matching the body color of Techno models.
Renault has simplified the trim levels for the Arkana, offering three options: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine. The Evolution trim, now upgraded, includes sat-nav integration as standard, along with the 18-inch wheels previously found on the RS Line and E-Tech Engineered variants.
Regarding the powertrain, the engine lineup remains the same. Customers can choose between two mild-hybrid petrol units, offering 138bhp or 158bhp, or a full parallel hybrid with 142bhp.
As for pricing, the updated Arkana is expected to have a slightly higher starting price of £28,395, reflecting its more premium positioning.
Renault has experienced significant success with its range of crossovers and SUVs in the first half of 2023. The Arkana, along with the Austral and Mégane E-Tech models, accounted for 136,195 of the brand’s total sales, which amounted to 770,800 units. Notably, the Arkana was the best-selling model in the C-segment, with 41,821 units sold, of which 55% were full-hybrid variants.
The updated Renault Arkana features a refreshed design and a new range-topping trim that embodies the brand’s move towards a more upmarket positioning. With the introduction of the Esprit Alpine trim and the simplified trim levels, Renault aims to cater to customers seeking a stylish and luxurious crossover experience. The elegant restyling and enhancements made to the Arkana are expected to attract even more buyers, reinforcing Renault’s success in the competitive crossover market.
