Renault 15 Reviews

Renault has added a mild hybrid version of its slow-selling Arkana small SUV to its Australian line-up.This new variant replaces the petrol-only model previously on sale. It will start from $41,990 before on-road costs, meaning buyers will have to pay $5000 more than before to get into an Arkana. The price increase does come with some extra gear, with the previous mid-tier Techno grade now kicking off the range now, as well as the addition of mild hybrid assistance. The Esprit Alpine remains the same price at $45,990 (before on-road costs).While Renault is calling this a hybrid, it's not a hybrid like the systems found in Toyota, Honda and Hyundai models. The Arkana’s hybrid system is more akin to a mild hybrid, with its electric motor producing only 3.6kW. It will continue to take on the likes of the Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos, as well as the Mazda CX-30. The Arkana comes in roughly $5000 cheaper than the fully plugless hybrid C-HR, but it is more expensive than the cheapest Kona hybrid and Seltos petrol variants. The petrol-only Mazda CX-30 is cheaper again. It continues to be powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 116kW and 270Nm, representing minor increases on the previous version. All variants of the Arkana Hybrid come with front-wheel drive, meaning there is no all-wheel drive option as on some rivals. Inside the Arkana has a 9.3-inch central vertical touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital driver display, with wireless phone charging. It is expected the new Arkana Hybrid will hit showrooms from next month. 2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid pricing Australia2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid engine and efficiency2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid standard features Other standard features include:Wireless phone chargerSatellite navigationElectric tailgateElectrically operated front seatsHeated front seatsSynthetic leather steering wheelEsprit Alpine grade addsPremium eight-speaker Bose sound systemFrameless auto-dimming rear-view mirrorSuede-style and synthetic leader seats with embroidered Alpine ‘A’Heated steering wheelPrivacy glassSlate-look trim19-inch alloy wheelsOpening sunroof2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid safety The Renault Arkana Hybrid is currently unrated, with the Arkana's five-star rating expiring at the end of the last year. Standard safety features: Emergency auto brakingForward collision warningSafe distance warningLane departure warningLane keep assistLane centringTraffic sign recognitionAdaptive cruise controlBlind spot monitoringRear-view camera360-degree camera2026 Renault Arkana dimensions 2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid warranty and servicing The Renault Arkana Hybrid comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.It has a five-year capped-price servicing plan available for purchase, with firm details still to be revealed.

Renault has added another new nameplate to the brand’s local line-up with confirmation its Symbioz compact crossover-style SUV will enter the Australian new car market in the second half of this year.Produced in Spain, the Symbioz will offer mild- and full-hybrid power options across multiple grades with details to come closer to the car’s launch. It will be the brand’s first model to offer a full-hybrid powertrain locally.At just over 4.4m long, close to 1.8m wide and a fraction under 1.6m tall with a 2639mm wheelbase the newcomer is marginally bigger than the recently introduced Renault Duster but smaller than the long-serving Koleos.Mild-hybrid versions of the car are powered by a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine sending 104kW/245Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The full-hybrid features a 80kW/107Nm 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine working in parallel with a 36kW/205Nm electric motor, the latter powered by a 1.4kWh Lithium-ion battery.It uses a specific multi-mode transmission featuring four gears for the petrol engine and two for the electric motor, again sending drive to the front wheels only.According to Renault, the full-hybrid Symbioz uses the electric motor exclusively for initial acceleration, the engine kicking in at speeds above 60km/h.This is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent in stop-start city driving and deliver an overall driving range of up to 1000km (WLTP). The system also harvests energy when the vehicle is braking, coasting or decelerating. Although final specification is yet to be finalised several inclusions have been flagged, including a panoramic ‘Solarbay’ sunroof which uses embedded liquid crystal filaments that can be dimmed on demand, premium Harman Kardon audio, Google Built-In, a 10.4-inch multimedia screen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels and a sliding rear seat to optimise boot space.The Symbioz arrives as part of Renault Australia’s plan to renew or refresh six models over the next 18 months and the company’s General Manager Glen Sealey has previously told CarsGuide the business is open to production sourcing opportunities from Renault facilities around the globe including Spain as well Brazil, India, Morocco, Romania, South Korea, Turkey and of course France.In announcing the Symbioz for local sale, Sealey said, “We know not everyone wants to drive a ‘same-same’ SUV and we know this car will earn its place in this market.“We have worked very hard with the factory to ensure the new Renault Symbioz is well equipped, delivers excellent real-world fuel economy and will be available at an attainable price point,” he said.

Renault has confirmed its next-generation Master large van will launch in Australia mid-year.The new Master, a traditional rival to the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter, is the first ground-up version in more than a decade, and will arrive in both diesel and electric forms.It has the traditional boxy visage of a large commercial van, but Renault says it has been designed in a wind tunnel for “optimal aerodynamic efficiency”. It also wears Renault’s new group design in its face, and has a completely overhauled cabin, complete with physical controls for key functions.The diesel version uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo layout (125kW/380Nm), paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, which is more efficient and powerful than the outgoing 2.3-litre diesel (110kW/350Nm) paired to a six-speed single-clutch automatic.The Electric version uses a 96kW/300Nm electric motor powered by an 87kWh battery pack, which grants it a 400km range unladen, according to the WLTP standard.It can charge at a rate of 130kW, which should see it move from 10 - 80 per cent in about half an hour.The popular large van continues to be available in an array of bodystyles, with mid- and long-wheelbase versions as well as mid- and high-roof options.Payload is up to 1973kg for the diesel version, with a GVM of four tonnes, while the electric version is limited to a payload of 1164kg with a 3500kg GVM.The slide-opening side-door is wide enough to fit a pallet, while the bulkhead behind the cabin is flat to maximise interior space.It will also include an increase in safety equipment, and has been awarded a top platinum rating from EuroNCAP’s commercial vehicle rating scheme.Full pricing and specs for the large van will be announced closer to its expected June 2026 arrival. Expect a price increase over the outgoing model, which sits at $55,200 for the MWB or $57,200 for the LWB.It forms part of Renault’s “model revitalisation” plans to launch six new models in 18 months, which also includes the recently-launched Scenic E-Tech mid-sizer, and just-confirmed Symbioz small SUV.Thus far in 2026, the outgoing Master van remains reasonably popular in its segment, amassing 330 registrations, outselling the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, and Peugeot Boxer. It lands nearly on-par with the Fiat Ducato, but lags behind the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and budget-focused LDV Deliver 9.

The flagship Scenic E-Tech Esprit Alpine is priced at $59,990, before on-road costs.

Euro carmaker Renault has slashed the price of its Megane E-Tech electric hatch in Australia.The car will now start from $49,990 (drive-away), representing a more than $15,000 decrease on its original launch price.When it arrived the E-Tech started from $64,990 (before on-road costs) in late 2023.Renault’s small SUV is a European rival to the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia EV3, with this latest deal undercutting both. It also comes in cheaper than the Mini Countryman EV, which starts in the low $60K bracket. The deal will run until the 30th of June 2026, while stocks last. It only applies to models with solid white paintwork and a black roof, with metallic paint costing an extra $400 and alternate two-tone paint adding an extra $800.Renault sold 207 examples of the Megane E-Tech in 2025, which represented a drop on 2024 numbers. It trails the EV3 and Kona on the sales charts, with Chinese rivals such as the Zeekr X also besting it. The car has experienced a couple previous price cuts since it went on sale, and was available from $54,990 (drive-away), before this latest cut.The base variant of the Megane E-Tech has a single electric motor set-up, producing 125kW and 280Nm, with its 60kWh battery, offering 454km of driving range (WLTP). On the inside, the car has a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.0-inch central touchscreen. The Megane E-Tech is one of several electrified models forming part of Renault’s ‘International Game Plan 2027’ for overseas markets.The brand recently brought across its Scenic E-Tech SUV to Australia earlier this year, with the plug-in hybrid Filante also a possibility Down Under at some stage.

The mid-range Scenic E-Tech Techno Long Range is priced at $59,990, before on-road costs.

The Renault Scenic E-Tech starts from just under $55,990, before on-road costs, for the entry-grade Techno.

After a 15-year absence from the local new car market Renault's Scenic has returned as a pure-electric, mid-size, five-seat, premium SUV priced and specified to take on established EV competitors from Europe and South Korea as well as recently arrived disruptors from China.

With the avalanche of fresh brands entering the Australian new car market showing no sign of slowing, clearly some recent newcomers and longer-term legacy brands will come under increasing pressure in the next 12 to 18 months.Fold in the additional complexity and potential cost of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) and the thumbscrews are already starting to tighten for certain players.In this context, one well-established Euro brand is focused on its ability to “survive” in what it describes as an exceptionally aggressive market.Speaking at the local launch of the new Scenic E-Tech SUV, Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey was asked about increasing competition and said, “Renault as a brand is really in a good position to survive in a market like it is now. And I say that because this is an aggressive market.” “You’ve got annual sales of around 1.2 million vehicles and the top 10 brands accounting for 70 per cent of them.“That leaves 60 brands competing for 360,000 cars a year. That’s the reality of life if you’re going to compete.“So, can you survive on 6000 cars a year? We can,” he said.Despite the French brand’s concerted push towards electric propulsion in Europe and elsewhere, Sealey made the point that EVs still account for less than 10 per cent of new car sales in Australia.While acknowledging the brand buzz funky Renault EV models like the R4, R5 and Twingo (even at a relatively steep price) would generate he said the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, Megane E-Tech and now the Scenic E-Tech EVs currently on offer here are “enough for a market our size”.“If the market goes to 50 per cent EV, guess what, we’ve got a cupboard full of cars. But if the market stays at 10 per cent EV we’ve got cars and drivetrains we can access.“Not everyone wants hybrid, not everyone wants electric and not everyone wants ICE and there’s a (Renault) drivetrain for everyone.”Year-on-year Renault sales were down 17.8 per cent in 2025 (to 4569 units). And so far this year numbers are down by exactly the same percentage.But Sealey confirmed Renault Australia would renew or refresh six models over the next 18 months, noting the age of the brand’s current line-up.“Koleos and Master make up 60-70 per cent of our volume and they are right at the end of their lifecycle.“So, to expect to be flying when you got that on your hands… it’s never going to happen.“And that’s obviously coinciding with some aggressive entrants into the marketplace.“But there’s Duster and Scenic and there’s more coming,” he said.  When asked about potential range inclusions like the Bridger small SUV (to be built in India), the Filante mid-size hybrid SUV (out of South Korea) and the Symbioz compact crossover (produced in Spain), he was expansive on available production sourcing opportunities from those centres as well as France, Morocco, Romania, Turkey and Brazil.“We've put our hand up, we'll look at the business cases and we’ll have some exciting things to say soon.”In pin-pointing the ‘sell’ that will help stand Renault apart from others in the market, Sealey said, “Fundamentally Renault represents a couple of things and it comes back to emotional design. Our cars look good. “It could be Master in its old age. The car’s nearly 10 years old but had an all time sales record in 2024. Koleos is holding up reasonably well for the age of that car, as well.“And we have user-friendly technology. Everything’s easy to use. It’s not intimidating, it’s not minimalistic and it’s not all on screens. There’s an appeal to that,” he said.

Of the 113 primary and 173 sub-clause Australian Design Rule (ADR) standards for safety, anti-theft and emissions currently applied to new vehicles marketed in Australia one stands out as a regular sticking point for manufacturers.It’s ADR 34/03 - Child Restraint Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchor Fittings - originally gazetted in 1989 and most recently updated in 2017.It mandates a compliant ‘Upper Anchorage’ and ‘Upper Anchor Fitting’ (aka a top-tether point) for “each seating position in the ‘Second Row Seats’ equipped with an adult ‘Seatbelt Assembly’”.And this makes Australia a global stand-out. Although three top-tether anchorages are required in Canada and the USA, only two are mandated in Europe, and China has no specific demand for top-tether points. We strictly require a top tether anchor for all rear-seating positions, including the centre. In many markets, in concert with ISOFIX, use of the three-point seatbelt to help stabilise the seat and reduce twisting in a crash is deemed adequate.  But it sounds easy, right? Drill a hole in the parcel shelf or rear floor, bolt in a hook and the job’s done. Authorised restraint fitting stations do it all the time. Of course, it’s light years away from being that simple.The time, money and engineering focus required to homologate a centre rear top-tether for this market across a vast array of interior and rear seat arrangements is often a stumbling block for potential new model introductions.Specialised research and development required for certification of the strength and real world performance of reinforced mounting points will typically involve a full program including virtual and physical engineering as well as testing to destruction of rear seat modules or entire vehicles.Then there’s the time and cost of the compliance process, submitting required technical data  to the The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts that oversees the ADR regime.And a case-in-point is the Renault 5 E-Tech.Although it’s never been confirmed for local sale, Renault Australia has previously told CarsGuide it would “love to have the car here” as long as it “does the business case to get the investment for the unique Australian ADRs”.Having started European deliveries in late 2024, the R5 E-Tech is still a possibility for this market, but it’s a much longer shot than it was thanks in part to ADR 34/03.Speaking at this week’s launch of the Scenic E-Tech, Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey confirmed the R5 E-Tech was originally going to be a four-seater but a European tax change mid-way through the car’s development cycle saw it morph into a five-seater (thanks to additional subsidies for three seats in a rear bench).Suddenly, the need to homologate a top tether for the middle rear position threw a big spanner in the works for the car’s Australian market potential. Sealey estimates the prospective compliance cost at around 3 million ($4.9M).Also speaking at the launch, Renault S.A. Country Manager, Oceania Arnaud Mourgue confirmed Australia is now plugged into the brand’s relevant new model programs from day one, which minimises the chances of ADR compliance roadblocks. But other recent ADR 34/03-related hiccups include a temporary pause on sales of the Deepal E07 Multitruck to rectify a missing child seat restraint anchor in the rear.The Tesla Model 3’s 2024 update was paused early that year because of a rear-centre top-tether compliance issue and BYD Atto 3 deliveries were briefly paused in 2022 in light of child seat anchor point issues.There are other instances and who knows how many interesting EVs from China and elsewhere have been ruled out for Australian sale   A spokesperson for The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts told CarsGuide, “ADR 34/03 is likely to remain in force in its current form for the foreseeable future.”Which, depending on your perspective, means kids in capsules and car seats in Australia are doubly protected. Or onerous ADRs mean Aussie new car buyers are potentially missing out on exciting new products from around the globe.