Renault is hoping to become a dominant force in the C-segment market – Europe’s most popular market segment – with this hybrid family crossover, which seems “made for the school run”, said The Daily Telegraph. Although the Arkana is touted as Renault’s first purpose-built hybrid car, it isn’t the French brand’s “finest” work. Still, it drives reasonably well and the hybrid system is economical and fun.
The Arkana certainly looks good, said Autocar, with a sloping rear boot as well as a jacked up ride height, and the impressive interior has a mix of physical buttons and a 9.3-inch touchscreen. Although it lacks height, the Arkana is relatively roomy for a coupé SUV, with a good 513-litre boot. However, there are issues with the engine and chassis that make it a car that’s “better to look at than to drive”.
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two-motor hybrid system never feels that quick, and the combination of the engine and gearbox can be uncomfortable on faster roads. The chassis makes the low-speed ride “too brittle”, and the car has an unfortunate tendency to “shimmy” over poor road surfaces, said Auto Express. So although it may sound impressive on paper, it’s “not as convincing in practice”. Prices start from £25,300.
-
July 5 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include an extrajudicial detainment camp, 'alligator Alcatraz', and tax cuts for billionaires.
-
5 explosively funny cartoons about the 4th of JulyCartoons Artists take on liberty and justice for all, a terrifying firework, and more
-
Jeff in Venice: a "triumph of tackiness"?In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
Jeff in Venice: a 'triumph of tackiness'?
In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
The Anatomy of Painting: Jenny Saville's 'stunning' retrospectiveThe Week Recommends Saville's new collection features 'masterpieces' from throughout her career
-
M3GAN 2.0: riotous action sequel to the comedy-horror hit about a killer dollThe Week Recommends A 'ridiculously' entertaining 'hyper-camp mash-up' of Terminator 2 and Mission: Impossible
-
Shami Chakrabarti picks her favourite booksThe Week Recommends The politician and human rights activist shares the polemics that inspired her
-
Properties of the week: bright and cheerful housesThe Week Recommends Featuring homes in Cornwall, London and Norfolk
-
6 sleek homes for modernistsFeature Featuring a concrete-and-steel home in South Carolina and a renovated 19th-century former carriage house in Pennsylvania
-
The Genius Myth: a 'fresh and unpretentious' book from Helen LewisThe Week Recommends This 'angry, witty book' by Helen Lewis is a valuable critique of the 'flattering fiction' of genius
-
From Hilde, With Love – the 'moving' story of an accidental revolutionaryThe Week Recommends Liv Lisa Fries gives a 'compelling' performance as the soft-spoken heroine.
