Audi Q3 vs Renault Arkana

Audi Q3

Audi’s compact premium SUV.

Renault Arkana

Renault’s coupé-style compact SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for maximum interior space, a bigger boot and modern technology.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Renault Arkana

Pick the Arkana for a striking coupé-SUV with a roomy boot and an efficient hybrid.

Best engine: The 1.3 TCe (petrol) or E-Tech hybrid.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs 1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol

	Audi Q3	Renault Arkana
Power	150 hp Winner	140 hp
Torque	250 Nm	260 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,2 s Winner	9,8 s
Top speed	205 km/h Winner	200 km/h
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	105,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km	132 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km Winner	5,8 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	Renault Arkana
Boot	530 L Winner	480 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L Winner	1.500 L
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,72 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,57 m
Width	1,86 m	1,82 m
Height	1,62 m	1,58 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Renault Arkana
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	CMF-B
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI	1.3 TCe mild hybrid · E-Tech Hybrid 145
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	6-speed manual · EDC7 · E-Tech automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6d allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

Infotainment software (early cars)
S tronic maintenance (DQ200 models)
Cooling system needs checking
DPF on diesels

Renault Arkana

Infotainment: freezes and lag
Electrical gremlins (12V battery)
E-Tech hybrid: 12V battery drain

Pros

Audi Q3

Roomy interior & big boot
Modern tech (Virtual Cockpit)
Modular EA engines

Renault Arkana

Striking coupé design
Roomy boot (480–513 L)
Efficient E-Tech hybrid available

Cons

Audi Q3

Early infotainment quirks
Pricier than the VW Tiguan on the same platform

Renault Arkana

Sloping roof limits rear headroom
No diesel offered

Driving experience

Audi Q3

Comfortable, quiet and easy to place. The Q3 rides well over poor surfaces, stays settled at motorway speed, and steers accurately with light, consistent weighting. 2.0-litre cars use quattro, which adds strong traction in wet conditions and inspires confidence. The 1.5 TFSI is adequate but nothing more; the 45 TFSI is genuinely quick; the 2.0 TDI is the best all-rounder — torquey, economical and smooth at a cruise. The S tronic is sharp around town. Body control is good for a high-riding SUV, though the Q3 is set up for comfort rather than driver involvement.

Renault Arkana

A comfortable long-distance cruiser rather than a dynamic driver's car. Steering is light and accurate enough for daily use, and body control is reasonable, but the ride is firmer than many rivals — especially on larger wheels — and can feel unsettled over sharp bumps. The 1.3 TCe feels responsive once moving, while the E-Tech hybrid prioritises efficiency and can feel less linear under hard acceleration because of its multi-mode transmission. The EDC dual-clutch is smooth at higher speeds but can show low-speed hesitation or judder.