OK, I rarely add coments but as I recently bought this car, I thought I would make an exception. First off - I'm not a 'petrol head', I don't claim to know all about the mechanics of a car and quite frankly, I don't need to. I'm not a 'brand snob' or a 'boy racer', in fact I'm a retired 5' female who was looking for some 'specifics' not mentioned in most review videos I've watched but they are important to me. So, I class myself as someone who isn't bothered about being able to go from 0-60 in 7 seconds and I'm not 'seduced' by 'pretty' cars. My requirements for a car were/are: automatic, good adjustment in the driver seat and steering wheel (not all cars 'fit' someone who is 5' tall), heated steering wheel (because I have arthritis in my hands), heated seats - great for backache or when driving in winter with my dog ... I can keep warm and my dog isn't uncomfortable from having the heating too high), something economical to run, given the rising fuel prices. OK ... I am fully aware that some of you may scoff at my 'needs' but as a consumer, my requirements in a car are equally as valid as someone else i.e. those who want a 'performance' car. Most of my driving is around town, my days of frequent business trips on the motorway are over. My approach to 'sourcing' a new car was to look at the spec of cars to find something that ticked my boxes. I had test drives in the Ford Puma, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Kona - all 'mild hybrids'. Whilst they all ticked the boxes, none of those three were as comfortable for me to drive as the Arkana and were not as economical to drive. Maybe I could have tried other cars but, for the spec I was looking for, the Arkana was good for me. (Although, to be honest, I'm not a great fan of Renault - I've owned them in the past - but I forgave the Arkana when I discovered it's made in South Korea by Samsung so hopefully, the electronic components will be good - time will tell) My car is in flame red with a black roof and f I were to criticise it, I would say that black roofs/cars are NOT good in the summer heat and a sun roof would help cool the car down, albeit not with the AC on, (my previous car was a 1.4 Hyundai i20 automatic in white) and I'm not a great fan of the coupe styling - the roof does slope a lot towards the boot, I think the EV batteries could have a bigger capacity but that would obviously affect weight and space. I don't disagree with the car revving excessively when accelerating at higher speeds but, as I said, most of my driving is around town so it's not a major issue for me. On the plus side, it's an economical and comfortable car to drive and that's really all I ask of my metal box on wheels (reliability is yet to be determined, I've only had it 1 month).
I liked your review, I’m disabled and most “reviewers” don’t think of the normal things you’d test when buying a car, again 0-60 is of no importance for normal daily use, real world mpg, comfort, natural driving position, seat and steering wheel adjustment etc is important. While I can get the Arkana on Motability for £2k I feel the Qashqai E-power could work out better over 3 years with its better real world mpg for me. Hope you get the reliability with your new car that Renault have not always been famous for 👍
@@WEZ4136 All my life I had Renault and the Arkana mild hybrid rs line is my latest one, the number 6. With previous models I had issues well off the warranty period and Renault always came forward. The last one was a malfunction on the break system (if you can call it that in English) and it was repaired by Renault completely free of charge. If that is not a reliable car company I don’t know what will make one.
@@TheLonet over many years driving I’ve owned 3 modern Minis, a BMW, a Seat, a Suzuki, 2 Hyundais, 2 Mazdas, a Nissan and 4 Renaults. Been lucky to have had few issues over the years with any of my cars, apart from my Nissan, my first Hyundai (to be fair that was over 20 years ago!) and 2 of my Minis.. my Renaults however have all been 100% reliable, comfortable and long-lasting, and I’m considering my next car will almost certainly see a return to Renault.
I have had Renaults for years. Always gears. Time to change to Automatic because of circumstances. Advised on This as just produced. Just approaching 3mts. I love it & of course the ease of driving. Would recommend it. Love this video very good, thanks for extra advice.
Good honest review. I had the same issues with my Honda CRV Hybrid. Great around town but I couldn’t stand the revs and noise on the motorway. I had to get rid! I now have an X3 M40i to put a smile on my face!
I've had my flame red Arkana for 2.5 years, and I love everything about it! Perfect for EV city driving, comfortable on the motorway, full of bells and whistles and great looks!
great review ! i drove in both platforms of the arkana and the 1.3 turbo 140hp is way more fun then the hybrid, you feel way more connected with the car and the paddle shifters work fine, maybe not super fast but does the job well
Took the 1.3 turbo for the test drive. It is quite enjoyable to drive. Would not call it "fun" and I did not expect it to be. But perfectly adequate for this family compact coupe SUV.
I actually have no problem with an economical, mildly tuned car looking sporty, history is full of such cars. Add another 100hp and I would doubt that you would be getting 50-55mpg on a long drive. So I would imagine that, especially right now woth fuel costs what they are, there are lots of people looking for a good looking car that returns good milage.
I've just ordered a new Citroën C4, the 155 version. Similar shape to this, but with the fancy hydraulic bump stops. Much slower car than what I have now, but I chose it for comfort. Got the Shine Plus, top spec model & paid extra for the electric & massage seats and the heated steering wheel. I'm obviously getting old, because it's the first time in my life that I've been excited about getting a slower car.
Hi Ped Good looking car, inside and out, will not mention fake exhaust trim😬 Appears you have given an honest review, and maybe this car will appeal to someone who is not so bothered about “driving” but likes the looks and economy. Each to his own.
I've watched TH-camrs recording 0-100 times for the mild hybrid and the full hybrid of the Arkana when switching between the various performance modes. The times were almost exactly the same but the engine revved more in sport mode which gave the impression it was quicker. It is a good-looking car, though.
I have a 90bhp Mazda2 on a 15 plate that averages 66mpg on the daily 28 mile round trip to work. More than impressed considering its just a naturally aspirated 1500cc petrol engine.
My 9 year old manual 1.6 diesel Volvo S60 has averaged 50.3 mpg over the last 2500 miles of urban and Yorkshire Dale's driving. Can't say I'm impressed with the Renaults mpg with all the tech it has. In fact a few of the hybrids are disappointing in that regard.
I have the Arkana, agree it holds onto the gears too long. However, Renault are/have released 2 technical updates for the car regarding this. There's a few people who have had these updates done and say it drives much much better. Maybe contact your renault garage and ask about getting technical updates 66033 and 71214. Also just a tip regarding changing driving modes, you can press the my sense button to change modes without having to touch the screen. ie if your in mysense, press the button to bring the driving mode screen up, then press it again to change to sport, or press it again to change to eco etc. This saves having to look at the screen whilst driving. 100% agree the car could do with an extra 50+ HP though to match the looks
I just swapped my Toyota C-HR hybrid to a Clubman Cooper S, never want to go back to boooooooooooooooooooooring cars again :) keep up the good work, amazing content as always :)
Well done on getting the bike in, I remember wishing you luck trying to get one in that boot but it's obviously bigger than it looks. I like the look of the interior, decent seats I am a big fan of the alcantara/leather. Still not struck on the fake plastic vents/grill inserts in the rear bumper but exterior styling is nice.
We only get the 1.3T petrol engine in Australia for this model. (same motor as the Merc A class ?). I guess thats a good thing. Distance is a real problem in Australia too, and once you step outside the comfort of the big cities, EV charging can be a bit of an issue. Petrol is still king here, and will be for a long time to come. Ground clearance and tough tires are essential here as well - you cant drive 5 minutes down the road without crashing through mid corner bumps, or finding some lump of dead animal in the middle of the road, with no way to swerve around it because there is always an oncoming truck when it happens ! Arkana looks like a good option for where we live.
Great review interesting car and a wonderful color. Can’t believe it’s been 2 months already with this car lol. Can’t wait for the content around the heed Gordon nascar!!
You should see if you can try there mild hybrid Arkana with the flappy paddle gear box, I’ve driven both and felt it to be more engaging to drive, but no where near as economical, agree with your thoughts on the high reving engine at times, the other annoying thing I found was the rear window with no wiper, As always a interesting review keep up the great work 👍
Managed from zero in the Jaguar, leaving home, down to Heathrow, then back again after the break, 49.2 mpg. Was happy with that from the 3.0 V6 bi turbo diesel. That’s the lorry driver side again lol.
Morning buddy. Colours as usual make or break a car’s personality, totally agree with the fake bits. One thing that lets it down for me however is that opening/closing the boot and doors, just sounds so ‘Tinny’. Doesn’t give an impression of strength around you. Obviously it has to meet standards I know, but I just like a more of a solid clunk.
Great video. I've been a Renault fan for many years and currently own a pre facelift, sunflower yellow mk1 Mégane coupe. Flame red is a fantastic colour which has been offered for a number of years now. In fact I saw an Arkana in this colour today. I do have one big problem with this car though. It's yet another SUV. I also agree with you about the exhaust ports and the rise of RS line and GT line but without the full fat versions. The cabin looks a nice place to be as Renault often are. I'm more interested in the MK4 Mégane which has now been removed from sale and we only got the hatch or estate, no grand coupe (4 door saloon) which was offered in RHD in Ireland. We didn't get the Talisman either which replaced the Laguna. I know the key card issue only too well, the Laguna 2 Privilege I once owned had a version of this system and when I went to pay for fuel the car would lock with my family inside. Then the alarm would sound. 🤣
@@PetrolPed Yes I've seen photos. Looks smart but I'm concerned it may still have a bit of an SUV look but I'm reserving judgement until I see it in the metal. The few that have reviewed pre production cars were impressed.
I own The 140 tce version, mild hybrid. It's more sportier and săve more fuel on long jorny and legal speed. There îs also 160 tce version, more sporty Eugen from Romania
Absolutely agree on the exhaust pipes, it's the main reason I don't like the rs trim, which is a shame to be honest, since the rest of the trim does look quite nice.
Renault not the only ones doing fake exhaust. Mercedes guilty as are the majority. Good feature that it locks when you walk away. Not a fault. Good looking car and well done Renault on styling.
My wife’s Kadjar is in the same colour, and I totally agree that (when clean) it’s a stunning look. As for the self-locking…..just do as I do, and either leave the fob thing in the car while you’re cleaning it, or leave a door open! Nice review, and keep up the great content! Question about Millbrook’s camera policy….how do people like Top Gear and Wheeler Dealers film there, then? Is it ‘official’ media only allowed to film? Ta!
It’s sad when you see a reputable manufacturer take a well respected badge that represented something entertaining and try and market it as something else just to cash in on it popularity…and Renault isn’t the only one in that respect…and they will tell you it’s all meant to appeal to a different market…as though we don’t exist…then leave us our tags and find others for that different market..I say…great review none the less Pete👍🏽
Fair review Ped...... 👍🏻 We like to have a small SUV/cross over on hand for all those practical jobs & currently that is a Renault Captur. Firstly it is in flame red & it is as you say a very nice colour & suites the styling well. Secondly it has an eco mode, which improves the mpg (like the my sense) but I find it strangles the engine of the little power it has to the point that accelerating (especially onto a motorway) becomes a little dangerously slow! Thirdly, the keyless entry/exit is a nuisance when you are close by the car with the key on you but Renault devised a trick that most others don't appear to have done as a security aid. Most keyless entry systems unlock the car & allow you to open the car by hand without touching the key...... Renault have an override whereby if you press the 🔐 button on the key when leaving, it disables keyless entry. You can walk around the car all you like, try the door handles, the car stays locked until you unlock it with the button on the key! All in all we feel it is a reasonably priced, good looking, practical, fuel efficient (average 40+ mpg combined) car & the most comfortable car we've ever owned & maybe (if it's not too big) yours may be it's successor when we change it. When I want to go out & drive though (not visit a DIY store) I'll take the TTRS 🙂
For those extra 100 horse power, in Europe you need to pay around 50k on a car. Not a small budget for any country, much so for easter ones. I get it, everybody would like a 250-300 hp car but its not possible. Each one with his one lifestyle. However, cars like these close a little bit the gap between classes and are perfectly fine for any road type. Dacia is an even more budget car with a lot of succes. Hard times require adjustment, and cars like this one or Dacia are there to make it as comfortable as possible.
22:03 that’s one of the issues I experience with my Arkana, but mine is a tce140 mild hybrid rs-line, not an hybrid and because of that I got the option to manually overrule the automatic gearbox and my car does that I immediately compensate with a press of a button on my steering wheel.
Totally agree with you Pete about fake exhaust style trims, had a 2019 2ltr diesel Peugeot 3008 GT Line with all the silly trims and it's embarrassing. Also it had the same annoying feature that your Renault displayed with the rear seat belts getting trapped by the seats when putting them back up. So glad I sold it and bought the actual Jaguar XFS Sportbrake you reviewed, along with my 981 Boxster S, I have in my opinion 2 great cars. The 12 bikes I have need riding more though :o
Great review PP..... Still think we have got it wrong with Electric.... There will be and we already have better fuel options..... We will see what happens in the near future....Have you seen the interview by Harry`s Garage with the Boss of JCB?..... Very interesting.... :-)))
50 mpg and 0% finance, and cheaper than a lot of similar looking cars. Definitely is tempting, especially if you don't care too much about driving as an experience.
The auto locking is the bane of my life when I am detailing my or other cars. What I tend to do is unlock the car open and close the passenger door then put the keys in the house. That usually sorts it out. Nice car but no punch like you an RS would be a sure fire winner or a pure EV with 400bhp.
The clunky gear selector stopped me getting one as Renault refuse to fit the flying electronic shifter to British models for some reason. We have a Capture RS Line with the e shifter and it’s much smaller and more aesthetically pleasing . Plus it’s far easier to use too! For example a simple button press puts it in park, flick the shifter back for drive or forward for reverse. Even more bizarre is the Australian market gets a heated screen and steering wheel as standard. Does it ever get cold in Oz? But the biggest fail for me is no rear wash wipe. Get bombed by birds, not uncommon in UK and you need to manually clear the rear screen to see out of it! If you have trees where you park at home it’s a big problem.
Renault did some changes due to criticism and now you can buy Esprit Alpine version with 160hp petrol engine with option toi mnaually change geara on a steering wheel which is awesome.
Looks like it would be a nice, comfortable, soft and leisurely drive in mysense mode. How is insulation/road noise (not including the revving in sport mode)?
The rear seat is as tight as the Megane. Are the seat and pedal distance as short as the Megane, you have to lower the seat to the floor to get a reasonable distance to the pedals, but then you sit too low, and lm 6’2”.
I currently have a 19 registered Megane RS Line and it does not have the fake twin exhaust so am not sure if this is just a feature of the RS Line or the whole range of Arkanas. I have previously owned two Mk4 Clios (63 and 66, updated version, registered) which were both in Flame Red and agree that this is a very nice colour especially when clean
Sorry It's a GT Line not a RS Line although the option are similar and it has 5 driving modes rather than the 3 Eco, Comfort, Neutral, Sport and Perso (Personalisation of mode combining parts of the other 4 modes)
I had a 2litre Toyota C-HR, a good car however I would describe the car as bland. I ended up buying a Tesla Model 3. After 3 months of ownership the novelty has still not worn off. It is simply an amazing car.
Great video, just after some advice really, I drive around 8 miles aday and its all stop start around towns, will this car in b mode be using the ev said of thing more than the petrol? I really like the look of this car, and one day I would like to get fully electric
Thx for the video, tested the 140bhp (mild hybrid) design wise its a beautiful car but as you already mentioned this 1.3 engine feels not adequate for this relatively big car, too bad really
The most important part of the video 3:22 - this car has the looks of a high-performance sports car, but it does not deliver that in terms of driving experience.
Honestly I would just want a 2.0 litre diesel engine in this with early rpm high torque behaviour. That would give it a great juicy gas pedal feeling. But Renaults decision to go petrol only was a letdown for me.
This is why currently they are making mild hybrids with petrol engines so you get same feeling, while keeping you lung health in order :) maybe this model did not execute it perfectly with that combo… Diesel is too dirty to be kept around and from what I see more and more brands are ditching diesel options.
@@HL-uw7fk They are ditching them because of arrogant politics. Petrol engines are way dirtier. Those who seek hatred towards diesel and their so called "pollution of breathable air" are usually chain smoker just like more than half of the stupid population. This isn't a rant don't get me wrong but if the 60 year old men in the city are chainsmokers and pretend all of their lung issues come from modern Diesel engines they should look into the mirror of consumption.
Had Renaults since 1980. I agree performance of 1600 engine doèsn't match sporty looks.& the lack of rear windscreen is irksome. RS line suitable for this old arthritic person for maximum comfort & convenience. However I still consider the 2000cc diesel Scenic more comfortable & faster wish theyd develop a similar model but the Green Lobby wouldnt like it. Valencia Orange grabs attention & derogative remarks - but I like it so what?
Still very much on it. I have a session next week. We had to take 3 months off due to my Mini being written off. I’ve had to learn it’s replacement all over but getting there and hoping to do my test by September 👍 More videos coming 👍
I know they made a 160HP version of it and its a shame they didn't make it available in more country's. Would think it would feel better than the 145HP version
I just put one on hold the rs line, in orange. Salesman did mention that they are coming 2023 but not sure when. What did you end up buying? I currently have Tiguan and so torn as I love it, loan finishing and I need to buy new car under abn. So confused
@@JohnLScott-if6jz I am looking at the T roc however price came in at $61k to have the same specifications as my 2018 tiguan but car not ready til Feb. Can't fault tiggie. My loan finishes end Nov, so don't know which direction to go that will have stock
Is it an auto, or a CVT? No such thing as sports mode in a CVT. Are they built in South Korea, the build quality is very good from the Korean Renault Samsung factory.
Not even an extra 50bhp, but another 30bhp would be enough to give the car an extra edge. Toyota now offer a 198bhp hybrid for their rather boring Corolla - this engine in the Arkana would be an absolute blast!
Many manufacturers fit plastic exhausts, Renault go back to their credit card style keys, reminds me of the Laguna company cars I ran. The front looks ok, the back looks a dogs breakfast. In all honesty it's just another bore box in design. So many manufacturers just waste so much opportunity in the design department.
Hmmm yes, that's why I never buy Renault. From the fake exhaust pipes to the typically weird engine note when under the cosh a bit and in one case apparently you didn't do anything and it had a paroxysm of revving to itself. MPG not especially wonderful compared to my last car a Honda HR-V diesel 1.6 routinely gettting 56-57MPG in mixed running. I think my last but one diesled CRV - a much larger ca with a 2.0 diesel engine could return the same which was a bit of a suprise - wish I'd never traded it in! I'd guess the Renault comes at a premium price as well.
The MPG is really not that great for a modern car. You would think it would be more. I did a 400 mile trip last thurs in my 1997 Saab 9000 Aero 2.3T with 317 bhp. It averaged 43.7 mpg. In a car that does 70 to 100 in 3.5 seconds and is 25yrs old.
@Ped, i know you were thinking of reviewing this car. Its off the road now as of this weekend until mid august approx. Having full body and chassis restoration and full respray.
I'm at the age where there's no point in buying a new car, our normally aspirated & gutless 2L will serve our needs until I expire. ; ) Knock 20 years off my age & the economy of the hybrid would be a good fit, I'd gladly accept a performance hit as the boy racer club membership would've expired 5 years earlier. The big challenge for me would be if I were 10 years younger again. Hmmm, do I revert back to thinking I'm a teenager, throw all caution to the wind & revel in a maxed out V8? Or enrich my life by ordering a new Tesla & assume that I'll live long enough take get delivery? I reckon Renault's done a pretty good job to maximise sales in these worrying times, pitching the Arkana as less discerning motorists, whose main concern is looks & pseudo planet savers.
Hi, I have this car one of my bug bear is the locking always makes a loud bleep. Do you know how I can stop this as its very annoying when you come back from work at 10pm and you wake the neighbours up with the locking of your car.
@@GoeglerenDK when I had mine Renault brought a software update out for the engine and gearbox over revving and for better gear changes low speeds as mine doing 30 mph sounded like it was in 2nd gear ie high revving and was like this between 30-50mph, I’d contact your dealer as there have been several updates for this issue, I’ve no longer got mine has had too many problems with it as was one of the first in the country and luckily for me I could walk away from the deal 👍🏼
I road tested this car , thought it was gutless , then I tried 2.0 Toyota CHR , which I think is a comparably to the Renualt , interesting the Toyota had more go in it , I know the Renualt has a 1.6 hybrid compared to the 2.0 CHR , but the Toyota used the hybrid more efficiently. Personally I think the CHR is the better looking car out of the two
Looks nice,but as you say the engine let's it down a bit.It will be interesting to see how you feel about it after a bit more time.That nascar looks frightening, looking forward to seeing that one.
The updates don't work, 8 months of denial by Renault and the garage culminated on the car dying ( RAC drivers words ) 2 months later it is still lying in the garage forecourt unfixable as Renault do not have the parts to fix it, shambolic and disgraceful, about time they owned up to the problem.
Don't put it on your age. I have the same problem with fake exhausts. As a Belgian I have some experience with French cars. Mostly not so positive.... I'l go for a Toyota if it's my money. Cheers.
Every comment about looks & power I totally agree with. I hate a car that is a gutless liability on a spirited B road. Which is why I had moved my attention from all of the daft 3 cylinder jokes and started to look at EV's that have 250bhp or more.... As the lease prices are not so far apart. Smart #1, Cupra Born.... to name but two.
OK, I rarely add coments but as I recently bought this car, I thought I would make an exception. First off - I'm not a 'petrol head', I don't claim to know all about the mechanics of a car and quite frankly, I don't need to. I'm not a 'brand snob' or a 'boy racer', in fact I'm a retired 5' female who was looking for some 'specifics' not mentioned in most review videos I've watched but they are important to me. So, I class myself as someone who isn't bothered about being able to go from 0-60 in 7 seconds and I'm not 'seduced' by 'pretty' cars. My requirements for a car were/are: automatic, good adjustment in the driver seat and steering wheel (not all cars 'fit' someone who is 5' tall), heated steering wheel (because I have arthritis in my hands), heated seats - great for backache or when driving in winter with my dog ... I can keep warm and my dog isn't uncomfortable from having the heating too high), something economical to run, given the rising fuel prices. OK ... I am fully aware that some of you may scoff at my 'needs' but as a consumer, my requirements in a car are equally as valid as someone else i.e. those who want a 'performance' car. Most of my driving is around town, my days of frequent business trips on the motorway are over. My approach to 'sourcing' a new car was to look at the spec of cars to find something that ticked my boxes. I had test drives in the Ford Puma, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Kona - all 'mild hybrids'. Whilst they all ticked the boxes, none of those three were as comfortable for me to drive as the Arkana and were not as economical to drive. Maybe I could have tried other cars but, for the spec I was looking for, the Arkana was good for me. (Although, to be honest, I'm not a great fan of Renault - I've owned them in the past - but I forgave the Arkana when I discovered it's made in South Korea by Samsung so hopefully, the electronic components will be good - time will tell) My car is in flame red with a black roof and f I were to criticise it, I would say that black roofs/cars are NOT good in the summer heat and a sun roof would help cool the car down, albeit not with the AC on, (my previous car was a 1.4 Hyundai i20 automatic in white) and I'm not a great fan of the coupe styling - the roof does slope a lot towards the boot, I think the EV batteries could have a bigger capacity but that would obviously affect weight and space. I don't disagree with the car revving excessively when accelerating at higher speeds but, as I said, most of my driving is around town so it's not a major issue for me. On the plus side, it's an economical and comfortable car to drive and that's really all I ask of my metal box on wheels (reliability is yet to be determined, I've only had it 1 month).
I liked your review, I’m disabled and most “reviewers” don’t think of the normal things you’d test when buying a car, again 0-60 is of no importance for normal daily use, real world mpg, comfort, natural driving position, seat and steering wheel adjustment etc is important.
While I can get the Arkana on Motability for £2k I feel the Qashqai E-power could work out better over 3 years with its better real world mpg for me.
Hope you get the reliability with your new car that Renault have not always been famous for 👍
@@WEZ4136 All my life I had Renault and the Arkana mild hybrid rs line is my latest one, the number 6. With previous models I had issues well off the warranty period and Renault always came forward. The last one was a malfunction on the break system (if you can call it that in English) and it was repaired by Renault completely free of charge. If that is not a reliable car company I don’t know what will make one.
What's the mpg? I sat in one and it seemed nice. Never drove it through
@@TheLonet over many years driving I’ve owned 3 modern Minis, a BMW, a Seat, a Suzuki, 2 Hyundais, 2 Mazdas, a Nissan and 4 Renaults. Been lucky to have had few issues over the years with any of my cars, apart from my Nissan, my first Hyundai (to be fair that was over 20 years ago!) and 2 of my Minis.. my Renaults however have all been 100% reliable, comfortable and long-lasting, and I’m considering my next car will almost certainly see a return to Renault.
You are so angry
Always been a Renault girl, 1 Laguna,2Meganes,2Capturs and now the darling Arkana,totally smitten,it's love, love all the way❤🥰
I have had Renaults for years. Always gears. Time to change to Automatic because of circumstances. Advised on This as just produced. Just approaching 3mts. I love it & of course the ease of driving. Would recommend it. Love this video very good, thanks for extra advice.
Good honest review. I had the same issues with my Honda CRV Hybrid. Great around town but I couldn’t stand the revs and noise on the motorway. I had to get rid! I now have an X3 M40i to put a smile on my face!
👍
I've had my flame red Arkana for 2.5 years, and I love everything about it! Perfect for EV city driving, comfortable on the motorway, full of bells and whistles and great looks!
Great to hear!
Had a demo for the weekend, liked it so trading in the Ford Puma ST LINE Extra + FE for the Arkana.
great review ! i drove in both platforms of the arkana and the 1.3 turbo 140hp is way more fun then the hybrid, you feel way more connected with the car and the paddle shifters work fine, maybe not super fast but does the job well
Took the 1.3 turbo for the test drive. It is quite enjoyable to drive. Would not call it "fun" and I did not expect it to be. But perfectly adequate for this family compact coupe SUV.
I actually have no problem with an economical, mildly tuned car looking sporty, history is full of such cars. Add another 100hp and I would doubt that you would be getting 50-55mpg on a long drive. So I would imagine that, especially right now woth fuel costs what they are, there are lots of people looking for a good looking car that returns good milage.
I agree 👍
I've just ordered a new Citroën C4, the 155 version. Similar shape to this, but with the fancy hydraulic bump stops.
Much slower car than what I have now, but I chose it for comfort. Got the Shine Plus, top spec model & paid extra for the electric & massage seats and the heated steering wheel.
I'm obviously getting old, because it's the first time in my life that I've been excited about getting a slower car.
Hi Ped
Good looking car, inside and out, will not mention fake exhaust trim😬 Appears you have given an honest review, and maybe this car will appeal to someone who is not so bothered about “driving” but likes the looks and economy. Each to his own.
What's the fuel consumption around town in the car with your normal stop start driving please
As always on your car reviews nicely detailed on everything the car has and does.nice one Mr Ped.👍👌🤛😎
Cheers Nick 👍
I've watched TH-camrs recording 0-100 times for the mild hybrid and the full hybrid of the Arkana when switching between the various performance modes. The times were almost exactly the same but the engine revved more in sport mode which gave the impression it was quicker. It is a good-looking car, though.
I have a 90bhp Mazda2 on a 15 plate that averages 66mpg on the daily 28 mile round trip to work. More than impressed considering its just a naturally aspirated 1500cc petrol engine.
My 9 year old manual 1.6 diesel Volvo S60 has averaged 50.3 mpg over the last 2500 miles of urban and Yorkshire Dale's driving. Can't say I'm impressed with the Renaults mpg with all the tech it has. In fact a few of the hybrids are disappointing in that regard.
My diesel smart does 87mpg
I have the Arkana, agree it holds onto the gears too long. However, Renault are/have released 2 technical updates for the car regarding this. There's a few people who have had these updates done and say it drives much much better. Maybe contact your renault garage and ask about getting technical updates 66033 and 71214.
Also just a tip regarding changing driving modes, you can press the my sense button to change modes without having to touch the screen. ie if your in mysense, press the button to bring the driving mode screen up, then press it again to change to sport, or press it again to change to eco etc. This saves having to look at the screen whilst driving.
100% agree the car could do with an extra 50+ HP though to match the looks
Thanks for this. Really interesting 👍
I just swapped my Toyota C-HR hybrid to a Clubman Cooper S, never want to go back to boooooooooooooooooooooring cars again :) keep up the good work, amazing content as always :)
Cheers 👍
@@PetrolPed mostly your bad influence :)
It is a Car for Woman 🤷♂️
Didn't tried c-hr 2.0?
@@markmd9 no, but tried the Lexus is300h, it was ok
Well done on getting the bike in, I remember wishing you luck trying to get one in that boot but it's obviously bigger than it looks.
I like the look of the interior, decent seats I am a big fan of the alcantara/leather.
Still not struck on the fake plastic vents/grill inserts in the rear bumper but exterior styling is nice.
There’s no way the eBike is getting in there though 😂
@@PetrolPed 😀
We only get the 1.3T petrol engine in Australia for this model. (same motor as the Merc A class ?). I guess thats a good thing. Distance is a real problem in Australia too, and once you step outside the comfort of the big cities, EV charging can be a bit of an issue. Petrol is still king here, and will be for a long time to come.
Ground clearance and tough tires are essential here as well - you cant drive 5 minutes down the road without crashing through mid corner bumps, or finding some lump of dead animal in the middle of the road, with no way to swerve around it because there is always an oncoming truck when it happens !
Arkana looks like a good option for where we live.
Great review interesting car and a wonderful color. Can’t believe it’s been 2 months already with this car lol.
Can’t wait for the content around the heed Gordon nascar!!
It’s gonna be good 👍
You should see if you can try there mild hybrid Arkana with the flappy paddle gear box, I’ve driven both and felt it to be more engaging to drive, but no where near as economical, agree with your thoughts on the high reving engine at times, the other annoying thing I found was the rear window with no wiper,
As always a interesting review keep up the great work 👍
Managed from zero in the Jaguar, leaving home, down to Heathrow, then back again after the break, 49.2 mpg. Was happy with that from the 3.0 V6 bi turbo diesel. That’s the lorry driver side again lol.
Morning buddy. Colours as usual make or break a car’s personality, totally agree with the fake bits. One thing that lets it down for me however is that opening/closing the boot and doors, just sounds so ‘Tinny’. Doesn’t give an impression of strength around you. Obviously it has to meet standards I know, but I just like a more of a solid clunk.
Great video.
I've been a Renault fan for many years and currently own a pre facelift, sunflower yellow mk1 Mégane coupe.
Flame red is a fantastic colour which has been offered for a number of years now. In fact I saw an Arkana in this colour today.
I do have one big problem with this car though. It's yet another SUV. I also agree with you about the exhaust ports and the rise of RS line and GT line but without the full fat versions.
The cabin looks a nice place to be as Renault often are.
I'm more interested in the MK4 Mégane which has now been removed from sale and we only got the hatch or estate, no grand coupe (4 door saloon) which was offered in RHD in Ireland. We didn't get the Talisman either which replaced the Laguna.
I know the key card issue only too well, the Laguna 2 Privilege I once owned had a version of this system and when I went to pay for fuel the car would lock with my family inside. Then the alarm would sound. 🤣
Megane will return as a BEV 👍
@@PetrolPed Yes I've seen photos. Looks smart but I'm concerned it may still have a bit of an SUV look but I'm reserving judgement until I see it in the metal. The few that have reviewed pre production cars were impressed.
I enjoyed watching the Video. A great Daily Driver’s Car
You concluded this after a minute?🧐
@@fennie56 And he was very wrong!
I own The 140 tce version, mild hybrid.
It's more sportier and săve more fuel on long jorny and legal speed.
There îs also 160 tce version, more sporty
Eugen from Romania
Salut Eugen, mai ai mașina? Ce poți spune despre ea?
Absolutely agree on the exhaust pipes, it's the main reason I don't like the rs trim, which is a shame to be honest, since the rest of the trim does look quite nice.
👍
Good review as always. Very fair and well balanced. Cheers
Cheers Dan 👍
Renault not the only ones doing fake exhaust. Mercedes guilty as are the majority. Good feature that it locks when you walk away. Not a fault.
Good looking car and well done Renault on styling.
My wife’s Kadjar is in the same colour, and I totally agree that (when clean) it’s a stunning look. As for the self-locking…..just do as I do, and either leave the fob thing in the car while you’re cleaning it, or leave a door open! Nice review, and keep up the great content!
Question about Millbrook’s camera policy….how do people like Top Gear and Wheeler Dealers film there, then? Is it ‘official’ media only allowed to film? Ta!
You can get special permission to film and you then have a chaperone. Really depends what is testing on the day.
@@PetrolPed Makes sense….thanks for replying.
Another great informative video well done ped 😁
Cheers 👍
It’s sad when you see a reputable manufacturer take a well respected badge that represented something entertaining and try and market it as something else just to cash in on it popularity…and Renault isn’t the only one in that respect…and they will tell you it’s all meant to appeal to a different market…as though we don’t exist…then leave us our tags and find others for that different market..I say…great review none the less Pete👍🏽
Thanks Victor 👍
Fair review Ped...... 👍🏻
We like to have a small SUV/cross over on hand for all those practical jobs & currently that is a Renault Captur.
Firstly it is in flame red & it is as you say a very nice colour & suites the styling well.
Secondly it has an eco mode, which improves the mpg (like the my sense) but I find it strangles the engine of the little power it has to the point that accelerating (especially onto a motorway) becomes a little dangerously slow!
Thirdly, the keyless entry/exit is a nuisance when you are close by the car with the key on you but Renault devised a trick that most others don't appear to have done as a security aid. Most keyless entry systems unlock the car & allow you to open the car by hand without touching the key...... Renault have an override whereby if you press the 🔐 button on the key when leaving, it disables keyless entry. You can walk around the car all you like, try the door handles, the car stays locked until you unlock it with the button on the key!
All in all we feel it is a reasonably priced, good looking, practical, fuel efficient (average 40+ mpg combined) car & the most comfortable car we've ever owned & maybe (if it's not too big) yours may be it's successor when we change it.
When I want to go out & drive though (not visit a DIY store) I'll take the TTRS 🙂
For those extra 100 horse power, in Europe you need to pay around 50k on a car. Not a small budget for any country, much so for easter ones. I get it, everybody would like a 250-300 hp car but its not possible. Each one with his one lifestyle. However, cars like these close a little bit the gap between classes and are perfectly fine for any road type.
Dacia is an even more budget car with a lot of succes. Hard times require adjustment, and cars like this one or Dacia are there to make it as comfortable as possible.
22:03 that’s one of the issues I experience with my Arkana, but mine is a tce140 mild hybrid rs-line, not an hybrid and because of that I got the option to manually overrule the automatic gearbox and my car does that I immediately compensate with a press of a button on my steering wheel.
Great video mate 👌
Thanks 👍
Totally agree with you Pete about fake exhaust style trims, had a 2019 2ltr diesel Peugeot 3008 GT Line with all the silly trims and it's embarrassing. Also it had the same annoying feature that your Renault displayed with the rear seat belts getting trapped by the seats when putting them back up.
So glad I sold it and bought the actual Jaguar XFS Sportbrake you reviewed, along with my 981 Boxster S, I have in my opinion 2 great cars.
The 12 bikes I have need riding more though :o
12 ?!
I thought I was bad with 6 😂
@@PetrolPed There are also 9 frames around 10 sets of wheels and boxes of components!
I’ve been into cycling since 1979 and so much has changed :o
Great review PP..... Still think we have got it wrong with Electric.... There will be and we already have better fuel options..... We will see what happens in the near future....Have you seen the interview by Harry`s Garage with the Boss of JCB?..... Very interesting.... :-)))
Looking forward to seeing you drive the Nasscar at good wood on Friday 👍🏻
Should be ‘interesting’ 😬😳
The vehical has a deceiving ride height, 200mm ground clearance. Really good.
Great review again, good looking car and great colour. I like the Ariana. How does it stack up against the C5X or Peugeot 3008?
It's Grande 🤣
Not driven either of those sadly 😢
Definitely looks faster than it is from what you’ve said. Looking forward to the nascar video!
Looking forward to seeing you drive the NASCAR up the hill on Friday.
I can’t wait 😛
If there was an AWD version i'd buy it in a heartbeat
I think you should have done the sporty driving on the empty roads and the boring economy on the busier roads on the way back
50 mpg and 0% finance, and cheaper than a lot of similar looking cars. Definitely is tempting, especially if you don't care too much about driving as an experience.
Love mine,74 mph in economy mode on my last run , my only little niggle I have is the single tone horn,sounds just as a noddy car.
The auto locking is the bane of my life when I am detailing my or other cars. What I tend to do is unlock the car open and close the passenger door then put the keys in the house. That usually sorts it out. Nice car but no punch like you an RS would be a sure fire winner or a pure EV with 400bhp.
😂😂😂
The clunky gear selector stopped me getting one as Renault refuse to fit the flying electronic shifter to British models for some reason. We have a Capture RS Line with the e shifter and it’s much smaller and more aesthetically pleasing . Plus it’s far easier to use too! For example a simple button press puts it in park, flick the shifter back for drive or forward for reverse. Even more bizarre is the Australian market gets a heated screen and steering wheel as standard. Does it ever get cold in Oz? But the biggest fail for me is no rear wash wipe. Get bombed by birds, not uncommon in UK and you need to manually clear the rear screen to see out of it!
If you have trees where you park at home it’s a big problem.
Renault did some changes due to criticism and now you can buy Esprit Alpine version with 160hp petrol engine with option toi mnaually change geara on a steering wheel which is awesome.
Looks like it would be a nice, comfortable, soft and leisurely drive in mysense mode. How is insulation/road noise (not including the revving in sport mode)?
The rear seat is as tight as the Megane. Are the seat and pedal distance as short as the Megane, you have to lower the seat to the floor to get a reasonable distance to the pedals, but then you sit too low, and lm 6’2”.
If you stick it into Sport mode, you will get more acceleration & in eco or comfort mode it will be more relaxed. So your.criticism is wrong Ped.
It’s called an opinion 🤷♂️
gear box high revs settings- its because of weak engine- its best to keep him running on those revs
I currently have a 19 registered Megane RS Line and it does not have the fake twin exhaust so am not sure if this is just a feature of the RS Line or the whole range of Arkanas.
I have previously owned two Mk4 Clios (63 and 66, updated version, registered) which were both in Flame Red and agree that this is a very nice colour especially when clean
Sorry It's a GT Line not a RS Line although the option are similar and it has 5 driving modes rather than the 3 Eco, Comfort, Neutral, Sport and Perso (Personalisation of mode combining parts of the other 4 modes)
I had a 2litre Toyota C-HR, a good car however I would describe the car as bland. I ended up buying a Tesla Model 3. After 3 months of ownership the novelty has still not worn off. It is simply an amazing car.
Great video, just after some advice really, I drive around 8 miles aday and its all stop start around towns, will this car in b mode be using the ev said of thing more than the petrol? I really like the look of this car, and one day I would like to get fully electric
I’d be looking at a PHEV for that journey profile 👍
@@PetrolPed was just looking at the 3008 gt, that any good ?
Have to agree in the frustration of the auto door lock and unlock, especially when trying to wash the car...Still it's an RS so I forgive it...
Just leave the key in the car?
Thx for the video, tested the 140bhp (mild hybrid) design wise its a beautiful car but as you already mentioned this 1.3 engine feels not adequate for this relatively big car, too bad really
The most important part of the video 3:22 - this car has the looks of a high-performance sports car, but it does not deliver that in terms of driving experience.
Honestly I would just want a 2.0 litre diesel engine in this with early rpm high torque behaviour. That would give it a great juicy gas pedal feeling. But Renaults decision to go petrol only was a letdown for me.
This is why currently they are making mild hybrids with petrol engines so you get same feeling, while keeping you lung health in order :) maybe this model did not execute it perfectly with that combo…
Diesel is too dirty to be kept around and from what I see more and more brands are ditching diesel options.
@@HL-uw7fk They are ditching them because of arrogant politics. Petrol engines are way dirtier. Those who seek hatred towards diesel and their so called "pollution of breathable air" are usually chain smoker just like more than half of the stupid population. This isn't a rant don't get me wrong but if the 60 year old men in the city are chainsmokers and pretend all of their lung issues come from modern Diesel engines they should look into the mirror of consumption.
Had Renaults since 1980. I agree performance of 1600 engine doèsn't match sporty looks.& the lack of rear windscreen is irksome. RS line suitable for this old arthritic person for maximum comfort & convenience. However I still consider the 2000cc diesel Scenic more comfortable & faster wish theyd develop a similar model but the Green Lobby wouldnt like it. Valencia Orange grabs attention & derogative remarks - but I like it so what?
I really hope diesel gets banned forever.
@@Flankerski I guess you are ready to pay anything that has to be transported throughout the country double the amount.
Question, whatever became of your advanced drivers course ? From memory you only featured it once.
Still very much on it. I have a session next week. We had to take 3 months off due to my Mini being written off. I’ve had to learn it’s replacement all over but getting there and hoping to do my test by September 👍 More videos coming 👍
I know they made a 160HP version of it and its a shame they didn't make it available in more country's. Would think it would feel better than the 145HP version
Good video 👍
Thanks 🙏🏻
I have the mild hybrid in RS trim and it comes with paddle shifters ! I thought the full hybrid came with an ally gear selector you could use manually
Almost bought one in Australia yesterday - no mention of hybrid! Still deciding but they are exactly as you described!!
I just put one on hold the rs line, in orange. Salesman did mention that they are coming 2023 but not sure when. What did you end up buying? I currently have Tiguan and so torn as I love it, loan finishing and I need to buy new car under abn. So confused
I’ve not decided - I have a Macan diesel so an Arkana would be a major step down but also considering a VW TRoc R
@@JohnLScott-if6jz I am looking at the T roc however price came in at $61k to have the same specifications as my 2018 tiguan but car not ready til Feb. Can't fault tiggie. My loan finishes end Nov, so don't know which direction to go that will have stock
There looks to be some horrific reflections in the windscreen from air vents etc, or just the camera angle ?
Just the camera angle 👍
How comfortable is it over bumps?
Very good 👍
Is it an auto, or a CVT? No such thing as sports mode in a CVT. Are they built in South Korea, the build quality is very good from the Korean Renault Samsung factory.
Not even an extra 50bhp, but another 30bhp would be enough to give the car an extra edge. Toyota now offer a 198bhp hybrid for their rather boring Corolla - this engine in the Arkana would be an absolute blast!
Many manufacturers fit plastic exhausts, Renault go back to their credit card style keys, reminds me of the Laguna company cars I ran. The front looks ok, the back looks a dogs breakfast. In all honesty it's just another bore box in design. So many manufacturers just waste so much opportunity in the design department.
Hmmm yes, that's why I never buy Renault. From the fake exhaust pipes to the typically weird engine note when under the cosh a bit and in one case apparently you didn't do anything and it had a paroxysm of revving to itself. MPG not especially wonderful compared to my last car a Honda HR-V diesel 1.6 routinely gettting 56-57MPG in mixed running. I think my last but one diesled CRV - a much larger ca with a 2.0 diesel engine could return the same which was a bit of a suprise - wish I'd never traded it in! I'd guess the Renault comes at a premium price as well.
The MPG is really not that great for a modern car. You would think it would be more. I did a 400 mile trip last thurs in my 1997 Saab 9000 Aero 2.3T with 317 bhp. It averaged 43.7 mpg. In a car that does 70 to 100 in 3.5 seconds and is 25yrs old.
@Ped, i know you were thinking of reviewing this car. Its off the road now as of this weekend until mid august approx. Having full body and chassis restoration and full respray.
I'm at the age where there's no point in buying a new car, our normally aspirated & gutless 2L will serve our needs until I expire. ; )
Knock 20 years off my age & the economy of the hybrid would be a good fit, I'd gladly accept a performance hit as the boy racer club membership would've expired 5 years earlier.
The big challenge for me would be if I were 10 years younger again. Hmmm, do I revert back to thinking I'm a teenager, throw all caution to the wind & revel in a maxed out V8? Or enrich my life by ordering a new Tesla & assume that I'll live long enough take get delivery?
I reckon Renault's done a pretty good job to maximise sales in these worrying times, pitching the Arkana as less discerning motorists, whose main concern is looks & pseudo planet savers.
What's the glovebox like ?
A 1.6 petrol engine with no power/oomf? How did they manage that?
You really find it a disadvantage that the car opens when you approach and closes when you leave? You must be the only person in the world!
It’s fine when you definitely leave and return. The problem is when you are moving near the car. Washing it for example 🤷♂️
@@PetrolPed Then don't put the key in your pocket.
It looks ok but again not a car we have in 🇨🇦, but we have the CHR although I’ve not driven one
Is that a 1.3 or 1.6 version?
i think the mustang e has also a portrait mode screen
Hi all 👋
Hi 👋
You didn't mentioned your height while showing legroom in rear seat.. please do it, really helps
I try to do that but sometimes forget. 6’3” with a 34” inside leg 👍
Third! Evening all! Hope everyone is doing well and has a great week ahead.
Hi 👋
Piano Black trim always looks like it is covered in dust and makes the car seem dirty inside
Hi, I have this car one of my bug bear is the locking always makes a loud bleep. Do you know how I can stop this as its very annoying when you come back from work at 10pm and you wake the neighbours up with the locking of your car.
You can turn it off on the onscreen settings
Has your Arkana had the over revving software update yet 👍🏼
I don’t think so 👎
@@PetrolPed I’d get in touch with your dealer as it does make abit of difference 👍🏼
@fewrious whats that. Mine revs hard for no reason
@@GoeglerenDK when I had mine Renault brought a software update out for the engine and gearbox over revving and for better gear changes low speeds as mine doing 30 mph sounded like it was in 2nd gear ie high revving and was like this between 30-50mph, I’d contact your dealer as there have been several updates for this issue, I’ve no longer got mine has had too many problems with it as was one of the first in the country and luckily for me I could walk away from the deal 👍🏼
"A sheep in wolf's clothes" - veeery inspired description ! 👍👍
I road tested this car , thought it was gutless , then I tried 2.0 Toyota CHR , which I think is a comparably to the Renualt , interesting the Toyota had more go in it , I know the Renualt has a 1.6 hybrid compared to the 2.0 CHR , but the Toyota used the hybrid more efficiently.
Personally I think the CHR is the better looking car out of the two
In the rear, the exterior styling is very reminiscent of a Dodge Dart.
It's a sheep but a headturner and I bloody love mine. Who needs to tear up other road users at 65?😂😂😂
the age of 65 that is😂
Nice looking car compared to other makes
Looks nice,but as you say the engine let's it down a bit.It will be interesting to see how you feel about it after a bit more time.That nascar looks frightening, looking forward to seeing that one.
It is frightening 😂😂😂
There’s a full update for the revving issue mines gone in today for it
Thanks for this 👍
The updates don't work, 8 months of denial by Renault and the garage culminated on the car dying ( RAC drivers words ) 2 months later it is still lying in the garage forecourt unfixable as Renault do not have the parts to fix it, shambolic and disgraceful, about time they owned up to the problem.
Massively disappointed that Renault Sport is dead. Alpine is not even a brand known globally ffs. I absolutely hate this decision from Luca De Meo.
Me too 😢
Wonder about the longevity of the engine being it is so high strung. Seems like it is on a quest to destroy itself.
😂😂😂
Lucky you to travel around europe
Don't put it on your age. I have the same problem with fake exhausts. As a Belgian I have some experience with French cars. Mostly not so positive.... I'l go for a Toyota if it's my money. Cheers.
22:00 it;s not an evo , raliart or lancer.
6 am 👌
Ford have same issue with ST-line and Audi have a lot of false exhausts. All very annoying but I would never buy a xx-Line like car.
Every comment about looks & power I totally agree with. I hate a car that is a gutless liability on a spirited B road. Which is why I had moved my attention from all of the daft 3 cylinder jokes and started to look at EV's that have 250bhp or more.... As the lease prices are not so far apart. Smart #1, Cupra Born.... to name but two.
Cupra Born 👌👍