Renault Arkana vs Mazda CX-30
What's the difference?

Renault Arkana

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

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Mazda CX-30

$22,850 - $41,950

2024 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Renault Arkana

2024 Mazda CX-30

By Emily Agar

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Stylish, distinctive design
Great boot space and practicality
Responsive handling

Value
Practicality
Safety

Dislikes

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

Dated interior
Fuel efficiency could be better
Bit noisy

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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2024 Mazda CX-30 Summary

If you’re in the market for a city- and family-friendly compact SUV, you’re in luck.

The small SUV segment is one of the most heavily populated and hotly contested in the Aussie new-car market and the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP FWD is pitched against a seething pack of at least 10 similarly sized, generously specified and highly-credentialed competitors.

So, stay with us on a mission to determine whether this high-end version of one of Mazda’s best sellers is worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Renault Arkana 2024 Mazda CX-30

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.

Verdict

About to enter its fifth year in market the Mazda CX-30 is holding up well and this GT SP FWD grade delivers solid value relative to its key competitors, of which there are many. It’s also space-efficient, practical and performs well with top-shelf safety, decent refinement and good dynamic ability.

Alternately, it’s crying out for a hybrid powertrain to improve fuel efficiency, the interior form and function is starting to date and while it meets the market the ownership promise could be sharper. But this little SUV is still worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

Renault Arkana vs Mazda CX-30 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Renault Arkana vs Mazda CX-30
What's the difference?