Lexus RX vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?

Lexus RX

$101,200 - $111,100

2026 price

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Renault Arkana

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

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 GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Lexus RX

2026 Renault Arkana

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

5.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Smooth & refined
Premium features
Family-friendly rear seat

Stylish, distinctive design
Great boot space and practicality
Responsive handling

Dislikes

Relatively short EV-only range
No spare tyre, just a repair kit
Raised rear seat cramped for tall people

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

2026 Lexus RX Summary

Lexus has finally brought a plug-in hybrid to the Australian market with the RX450h+, and we’ve been testing the second-from-the-top Sports Luxury grade to see how it stacks up.

Promising a blend of electric efficiency and the high-end comfort Lexus is known for, this large SUV steps into a competitive segment. But does it deliver on both fronts?

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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?

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Lexus RX 2026 Renault Arkana

Verdict

The new Lexus RX450h+ Sports Luxury is packed with a wealth of premium features and strikes a solid balance between refinement and practicality. There are enough thoughtful touches that make everyday driving a little easier.

You’ll get the most out of the plug-in hybrid powertrain if you’re able to charge it regularly; ideally every day. That might not always be practical for busy people on the go, but overall, the RX450h+ manages to blend efficiency with Lexus’ signature comfort and quality.

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.

Lexus RX vs Renault Arkana What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus RX vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?