Renault Arkana ARK vs Skoda Karoq MK1

Renault Arkana

ARK · 2020 – 2026

The Arkana (ARK), a coupé-SUV on the CMF-B platform.

Skoda Karoq

MK1 · 2017 – 2026

The Karoq (MK1), on the MQB-A1 platform.

First car

Second car

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

Pick this one if…

Skoda Karoq

Pick the MK1 for a roomy, practical and comfortable family SUV with a sweet 1.5 TSI or strong 2.0 TDI.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI 150 — or the 2.0 TDI for high mileage.

Read the full guide

Performance

1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol vs 1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol

	Renault Arkana	Skoda Karoq
Power	140 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	260 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	9,8 s	8,9 s Winner
Top speed	200 km/h	205 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	105,3 hp/t	111,9 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	132 g/km	130 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,8 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Renault Arkana	Skoda Karoq
Boot	480 L Winner	479 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.500 L	1.605 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,72 m Winner	2,64 m
Length	4,57 m	4,38 m
Ground clearance	—	18,3 cm
Turning circle	10,9 m Winner	11,3 m
Towing capacity (braked)	750 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Renault Arkana	Skoda Karoq
Platform	CMF-B	MQB-A1 (shared with the VW Tiguan)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.3 TCe mild hybrid · E-Tech Hybrid 145	1.0 TSI · 1.5 TSI · 2.0 TSI petrol · 1.6 TDI · 2.0 TDI diesel
Transmission	6-speed manual · EDC7	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Renault Arkana

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

Skoda Karoq

1.5 TSI: kangarooing on early cars
DSG: jerkiness at low speed
2.0 TDI: DPF/AdBlue and timing belt

Pros

Renault Arkana

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

Skoda Karoq

Roomy boot and variable rear seats
Comfortable and practical
Strong 2.0 TDI

Cons

Renault Arkana

Sloping roof limits rear headroom
No diesel offered

Skoda Karoq

Sparse base equipment
Interior with hard plastics
Not focused on sharp dynamics

Driving experience

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.

Skoda Karoq

Composed and secure for a compact SUV of its era, with light steering that suits motorway and urban driving. The ride is comfortable on standard wheels, and body roll is present yet managed. Diesels deliver strong low-end torque for motorway use. It prioritises comfort and practicality over sharp dynamics, with good visibility.