BMW X5 vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?

BMW X5

$78,990 - $209,990

2024 price

View pricing & specs

Renault Arkana

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz Eqc400

Mercedes-Benz Eqe300

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE300

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2024 BMW X5

2026 Renault Arkana

By Mark Oastler

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

9.2L/100km (combined)

5.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Design/build quality
Performance/efficiency
Interior comfort/features

Stylish, distinctive design
Great boot space and practicality
Responsive handling

Dislikes

Space-saver spare
Busy control panel
Passenger dash glare

Mild-hybrid gains feel limited
Snug rear seat space
Slow off the mark

2024 BMW X5 Summary

The BMW X5 is a leading contender in the ‘Over $70K Large SUV’ division of Australia’s new car market, which is a hotly-contested segment boasting 15 marques and 25 models.

The X5 has hit an enduring sweet spot with Aussie buyers in terms of size, performance and price. BMW prefers to call it a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) as distinct from its Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) rivals.

Clearly, any word association with a utility is something BMW Group Australia wants to avoid after recently launching its latest X5 range, which brings numerous enhancements including design revisions, increased standard equipment, refreshed powertrains and more.

We were entrusted with the digital ‘Comfort Access’ key to one of the latest X5s, to understand from a family car perspective why this model range enjoys such enduring popularity with prestige SUV (sorry, SAV) buyers.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Renault Arkana Summary

This time around my family of three has been reviewing the updated Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid, and you might be wondering… why?

In a market that is positively bursting at the seams with established and new competition, including full-hybrid rivals like the Honda HR-V RS and Hyundai Kona Premium, the Arkana has its work cut out for it.

It’s also a slightly unusual proposition, pairing the raised ride height of an SUV with the swooping roofline of a coupe, while sticking with a mild-hybrid powertrain as more and more rivals make the jump to full-hybrid.

So, does this small French SUV coupe still have enough going for it to stand out from the crowd?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2024 BMW X5 2026 Renault Arkana

Verdict

This is a luxurious prestige five-seater brimming with BMW’s latest design and technology that’s not only practical for weekly family duties but can also embrace spirited driving with the push of a button. A great all-rounder for families that like a sporty edge.

Verdict

The Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid combines some serious design flair with a reasonable amount of practicality for a smaller family, but it’s hard to ignore the lack of improvement in efficiency following the addition of the mild-hybrid system. That said, it still succeeds on some fronts. It just does it quietly.

BMW X5 vs Renault Arkana What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW X5 vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?