car news

Affordable SUV coupe

At Renault, since 2021, you can get a counterpart to the Audi Q3 Sportback, BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe for a fraction of the price: the Renault Arkana. Now the French are launching a second coupe-SUV, which is a size larger. Called the Rafale, it competes in size with the BMW X4, the Audi Q5 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. From certain angles, it looks something like a Lamborghini Urus. Or are we crazy now?

New design language

Okay, that comparison may be a bit far-fetched, but you can probably understand what we mean if you look at the photo above. We have not seen this line pattern on a Renault model before. Previous models – such as the Captur and Clio – have already been facelifted with this design language, but the Rafale is the first all-new model with this style. Although the Rafale shares its foundation with the new Espace, it stands out for its sharp design. Its angular and sleek design gives it a much tougher look than the friendly-looking Espace.

The grille attracts all the attention and is inspired by French art. It consists of small diamond shapes, the same shape as the Renault logo. The rear of the car features dark taillights and dynamic turn signals. The rear window is tilted by 17 degrees, and according to Renault, this eliminates the need for a windshield wiper – something we were unable to test during our test drive in the bone-dry and nearly 40-degree warm southern Spain.

Practical

Despite the sloping roofline, the luggage space offers more than 500 liters, which is quite spacious for an SUV coupe. The second row of seats offers more than enough legroom thanks to its 2.74-meter wheelbase (the same as the new Espace). Nice touches are the handy cup holders with tablet and phone holders, allowing children to stay still and stare at their screens throughout the trip. At least when they’re not staring at the clouds, because the large panoramic roof with crystals that become frosted when darkened invites you to look upward and creates a very spacious feeling. The glass features a reference to the French Rafale aircraft of the 1930s, with which Renault managed to set a number of speed records and for which the SUV is named.

Android Automotive

Inside, the Rafale does look familiar. We already know the interior from the Espace and Austral. Two large displays run Android Automotive 12, the latest version of this operating system. The infotainment system uses a variety of Google apps – such as Google Maps and Google Assistant – and works at lightning speed. Spotify and other apps can be downloaded from the Play Store. It provides an intuitive and modern user experience. The expensive German brands could learn a thing or two from that. The level of finish is higher than in the Espace and Austral. Although the Rafale is not a premium German SUV, the use of high-quality materials, such as cork on the dashboard, gives it a sense of luxury.

Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid

Renault offers two powertrains for their new flagship model. Both are partially electrified. The base engine is a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine supported by two electric motors, good for a system output of 200 hp and a solid 410 Nm. This results in a 0-100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds. Excellent numbers, then. For those seeking more power, a plug-in hybrid version with all-wheel drive, which has an additional electric motor on the rear axle, will arrive in the fall. The PHEV boasts 300 hp and reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. A 22 kWh battery provides an electric range of 100 kilometers (WLTP), and combined with a full 55-liter tank, this version achieves an impressive 1,000 kilometers on paper.

Sufficient power

In terms of power, the hybrid is more than enough for you in the Netherlands. Abroad too, by the way, as our test car navigated effortlessly through the mountainous landscape of Andalusia. The compact battery in the hybrid can recharge itself at lightning speed, allowing you to drive bits of electric on a regular basis. In the inner city, according to the brand, you can even do 80% of your mileage on electricity. Outside the city, it also seems like we drive mostly electric. Only when you press the gas pedal more firmly does the three-cylinder engine come alive and make itself clearly heard. Under normal driving conditions, the Rafale is remarkably quiet.

Sharp edge

The 4CONTROL logo on the b-pillar means that our test car has rear-wheel steering. This makes it nice and maneuverable. Parking is a breeze, thanks to a turning radius of just over 10 meters. At higher speeds, moreover, you can make extra sharp turns. This is due not only to the rear-wheel steering, but also to the wide tires, four centimeters more track width and a suspension that is more sportily tuned than is the case with the Espace or Austral. You notice that clearly, without feeling like you’re in an overly sporty product. There is still enough comfort to take the whole family on vacation or for daily commutes. The sharp edge does provide more driving pleasure than in the average SUV, but a drive to the Nürburgring should not necessarily be at the top of your agenda.

Conclusion

The Renault Rafale offers an excellent blend of sportiness, technology and practicality. With its striking design, spacious interior, and advanced powertrains, it is an attractive choice for those looking for a hip and luxurious SUV coupe without paying top dollar. With a starting price of 47,490 euros, the Rafale is not cheap – what car still is? – but still easily 20 grand cheaper than a similar model from Germany. The hybrid offers plenty of power, but 100 kilometers of electric driving with the PHEV can be worth it if you can charge at home.