BMW X3 vs Renault Arkana

BMW X3

BMW’s mid-size premium SUV.

Renault Arkana

Renault’s coupé-style compact SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW X3

Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (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

B48 20i · Petrol vs 1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol

	BMW X3	Renault Arkana
Power	184 hp Winner	140 hp
Torque	290 Nm Winner	260 Nm
0–100 km/h	8,3 s Winner	9,8 s
Top speed	215 km/h Winner	200 km/h
Power-to-weight	105,4 hp/t Winner	105,3 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	154 g/km	132 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,8 L/100km	5,8 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	BMW X3	Renault Arkana
Boot	550 L Winner	480 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.600 L Winner	1.500 L
Wheelbase	2,86 m Winner	2,72 m
Length	4,71 m	4,57 m
Width	1,89 m	1,82 m
Height	1,68 m	1,58 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	BMW X3	Renault Arkana
Platform	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series)	CMF-B
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid	1.3 TCe mild hybrid · E-Tech Hybrid 145
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Hybrid
Transmission	8-speed automatic (ZF)	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

BMW X3

EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage

Renault Arkana

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

Pros

BMW X3

Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
Strong, efficient B-series engines

Renault Arkana

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

Cons

BMW X3

Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
Pricier than most rivals

Renault Arkana

Sloping roof limits rear headroom
No diesel offered

Driving experience

BMW X3

Poised, accurate and remarkably car-like for an SUV. Steering is quick, well-weighted and precise, body control taut, and the X3 corners with the composure of a lower, lighter car. xDrive brings tenacious all-weather grip and a neutral, rear-biased balance, while the rare sDrive is lighter and more playful. Adaptive suspension keeps it composed on rough roads, if a touch firm on big wheels. The B48/B58 petrols are smooth and eager, the B47/B57 diesels pull strongly and stay hushed, and the xDrive30e plug-in glides on electric power. The ZF 8-speed is quick, seamless and always in the right gear. Overall a polished, driver-focused SUV that shrinks around you on a good road.

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.