Renault Arkana ARK vs Volkswagen Tiguan AD1

Renault Arkana

ARK · 2020 – 2026

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

AD1 · 2016 – 2024

The second-generation Tiguan (AD1), on the MQB 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…

Volkswagen Tiguan

Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol vs 1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol

	Renault Arkana	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	140 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	260 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	9,8 s	9,2 s Winner
Top speed	200 km/h	200 km/h
Power-to-weight	105,3 hp/t Winner	102,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	132 g/km Winner	139 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,8 L/100km Winner	6,1 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Renault Arkana	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	480 L	615 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.500 L	1.655 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,72 m Winner	2,68 m
Length	4,57 m	4,49 m
Ground clearance	—	19,0 cm
Turning circle	10,9 m Winner	11,5 m
Towing capacity (braked)	750 kg	2.200 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Renault Arkana	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	CMF-B	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.3 TCe mild hybrid · E-Tech Hybrid 145	EA211 1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 2.0 TSI (R) · EA288 2.0 TDI · eHybrid PHEV
Transmission	6-speed manual · EDC7	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6d-TEMP
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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Water pump/thermostat module on EA211
Haldex 4MOTION service (fluid/clutch)
Software/infotainment glitches pre-facelift

Pros

Renault Arkana

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Very roomy boot (615–1,655 l) with sliding rear bench
Allspace variant with 7 seats (option)
Towing up to 2,500 kg on 4MOTION diesels

Cons

Renault Arkana

Sloping roof limits rear headroom
No diesel offered

Volkswagen Tiguan

Pre-facelift interior looks more dated
1.4 TSI (early) less smooth than the later 1.5 TSI

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, easy to drive and predictably competent. The Tiguan II rides with good isolation over broken surfaces, stays quiet at a cruise, and steers lightly and accurately without much feedback. Front-drive versions are easy and economical; 4MOTION adds useful traction in poor weather and on loose surfaces. The 1.5 TSI is the sensible pick — smooth and efficient — the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance choice, and the 2.0 TSI is brisk if unremarkable. The DSG is smooth in traffic. Body control is fine for a family SUV, but the Tiguan is set up for comfort and space, not cornering entertainment.