Renault Arkana or Kia Sportage? If you doubt between these two models and you don’t know which is the best option, we help you choose the best SUV to buy in 2023.
In the SUV segment you have all kinds of options to choose from. There are conventional crossovers, coupe-style SUVs, large SUVs, and small and compact urban crossovers. Today we present you the Renault Arkana and the Kia Sportage, two vehicles that are different in principle, but that can be a great option to buy in 2023.
To help you choose the best option, we must analyze what each model offers and there is no better way to do it than with a technical comparison. In it we will study its dimensions, trunk, engines, standard equipment and prices, and at the end we will present the strengths of each rival to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Dimensions
We start with the Renault Arkana. The new coupé-style SUV halfway between the Renault Austral and the Captur that is presented with a body that is 4,570 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,575 mm high, all on a platform that has a 2,720 mm wheelbase .
For its part, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage, which has recently been presented and ranks below the Kia Sorento within the range, has a body that measures 4,515 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,645 mm high. This is combined with a 2,680mm wheelbase.
Trunk
The trunk is key when choosing an SUV model like the ones featured in this article, since they present a more familiar approach where space and versatility prevail. Thus, the Renault model, despite its coupe-like body, offers 515 liters of volumetric capacity, a figure that can be increased to 1,270 liters simply by folding down the rear seats.
For its part, the new generation of Kia’s compact crossover does the same with a boot with 590 liters of volumetric capacity, a figure that grows to 1,780 liters when folding down the rear seats. Both models offer an interior with space for up to five passengers.
Engine
The Renault Arkana engine offer includes a 140 hp 1.3 TCe turbo gasoline engine that integrates 48V Mild Hybrid technology and a seven-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic transmission. It also offers a 145 hp E-TECH hybrid version, this time with a CVT-type automatic transmission. Both send power to the front axle and have the DGT ECO label.
Meanwhile, the Sportage is available with a 150 and 180 PS 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine with Mild Hybrid technology, as well as a 115 and 136 PS 1.6 CRDi MHEV diesel. The range is completed by a 230 CV hybrid version and a 265 CV plug-in hybrid variant with up to 70 kilometers of autonomy. There are manual and automatic gearboxes, as well as front-wheel drive or 4×4 versions.
standard equipment
Among the standard equipment of the Arkana (Equilibre finish) there are 17-inch wheels, emergency braking, rear camera, automatic parking brake, driving modes, multimedia system with 7-inch touch screen, lane keeping assistant, recognition of traffic signals, parking sensors, automatic climate control or tinted windows, among others.
Among the standard equipment of the Sportage (Concept finish) we find electric windows, fatigue detector, electric parking brake, LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, 10.7-inch digital instrument panel, 8-inch central touch screen, signal recognition, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and driving modes, among others.
Price
Prices for the Renault Arkana start at 26,962 euros in the Equilibre version with the Mild Hybrid 1.3 TCe 140 hp gasoline engine and seven-speed automatic transmission.
For its part, the Kia Sportage has a starting price in Spain of 27,540 euros in the Concept trim level with the 1.6 T-GDi 150 CV gasoline motor and six-speed manual transmission.
conclusion
If we start by analyzing the measurements, we can verify that the Renault Arkana is 55 mm longer than the new Kia Sportage, but loses 45 mm in width and 70 mm in height compared to the Kia SUV. Even so, the wheelbase of the Renault model is 40 mm higher.
In terms of habitability, both models have five-seat interiors, but the trunk offers 75 liters more cargo capacity without giving up the rear seats in the Kia Sportage, and up to 510 liters more volume when the rear seatbacks are folded down.
The engine offer, meanwhile, is broader, more varied and more efficient in the Kia model. And it is that it includes gasoline and diesel versions with and without Mild Hybrid technology, a conventional hybrid variant and a plug-in hybrid with the DGT 0 Emissions label. In addition, it has in its favor the option of being able to choose variants with 4×4 traction.
The standard equipment, however, is quite complete in both models, even in the case of high-end versions. Where there are few differences is in the price of the range access version. The Sportage is just 600 euros more expensive, but includes a more powerful engine. The Arkana, despite its 10 less hp, is automatic and has an ECO label.
