When the Arkana finally arrives in Europe in March 2021, Renault is dominated in the C SUV segment by a Peugeot 3008 which ravages everything in its path. The Kadjar, marketed since June 2015 then restyled in October 2018, is aging, and Renault is falling behind in this key market.
Although not initially planned for Europe, Renault sees in it an opportunity to regain market share from its French competitor. This is how this SUV produced in Korea, in the Renault factory in Busan, will finally be imported to Europe.
A wide range of engines for the Arkana, including hybrid and a beautiful RS-Line and Esprit Alpine finish
To Europeanize its Arkana, Renault has chosen to do without Diesel, but is offering a full hybrid offer with the 1.6 E-Tech borrowed from the Clio and the Mégane. In addition to this block, the Arkana is also offered with the 1.3 TCe engine designed with Mercedes, which makes this Arkana very pleasant to drive.
The Arkana adopts the interior of the Captur and the Clio
Although the range is relatively simple to reduce costs, three finishes are still offered, including the RS Line version, which has a sportier presentation. This finish will be replaced by the Esprit Alpine brand a few years later to cover the range.
The Arkana, a new car on the automobile market with its SUV Coupé style
With its dynamic style, the Arkana is a first among general manufacturers, since it adopts an SUV Coupé look, until now reserved for premium models.
Immediately, the Arkana found its audience. In 2021, with only a few months of marketing, 17,977 units have been registered, significantly exceeding the 11,338 units of the Kadjar.
This success continues, and above all, will increase in 2022, with a full year of marketing. While the Peugeot 3008 achieves 36,281 units, or a market share of 2.4%, the Arkana claims 31,638 registrations, or 2.1% market share, and thus enters the top 10 in France, just behind the Dacia Duster . That same year, Austral was just beginning his career.
The rise in power of the Austral will inevitably have an impact on the Arkana, but not that much in the end because the latter is much more expensive and is positioned higher in the range. The Austral certainly passes the Arkana at the end of 2023, but when the latter achieves 29,894 registrations, the Arkana displays 29,607 units. The two models are thus equal with a market share of 1.7%, which allows Renault to largely dominate the segment, especially since Peugeot is in the process of renewing its 3008.
Sales down slightly in 2024, end of career in 2025
The Arkana adopts the new Renault logo in 2023
Despite a very slight restyling a few months earlier – almost impossible to distinguish without a trained eye – the Arkana begins its fourth year of marketing in 2024. Despite everything, within the Renault range, the Arkana is already two generations behind from an aesthetic point of view. In these conditions, it is difficult to create the “wow” effect at the start of your career.
Unsurprisingly, the Arkana will fall back in the hierarchy, and find itself far from the top 10 dominated by the Clio, ranking at the end of the year in 18th place. However, with 19,121 units (1.1% market share), Arkana has nothing to be ashamed of, far from it. Its “little” brother (by its age), the Austral, is not that far behind with 26,150 units, or a market share of 1.5%.
Barring any big surprises, the Arkana will begin its last year of marketing in 2025, although Renault has denied this information. Without major investment, the Arkana will continue its career, without major communication from Renault before discreetly dying out, with the satisfaction of a duty accomplished, but without Renault deeming its renewal necessary. A choice that is nevertheless understandable when we know that the Renault range already includes a lot of SUVs, with the Captur, the Symbioz, the Ausral, the Espace and the Rafale (the new presidential car) without forgetting the 100% electric Scénic which displays honorable results, and the future Renault 4.
Summary of Renault Arkana registrations in France
| Registrations | Market shares | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 977 | 1,1% |
| 2022 | 31 638 | 2,1% |
| 2023 | 29 607 | 1,7% |
| 2024 | 19 121 | 1,1% |
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