Overview and Common Failures
The car body not only looks good, but is also perfectly painted, with no complaints about it. The interior, although nice at first glance, disappoints with its low-quality materials: hard and hollow plastic, cheap eco-leather, and so on. However, the sound insulation is decent and up to par.
The multimedia system has a decent screen, facing the driver, but it often glitches too much.
The 1.6-liter H4M engine has been used in the entire Renault model range for quite some time. This aluminum engine has a high lifespan, but its major overhaul can be expensive. It also lacks hydraulic compensators, so the valves need periodic adjustment. Owners often complain about oil consumption, but this occurs only at significant mileage.
The 1.3-liter turbo engine H5Ht or TCe 150 was developed in cooperation with Mercedes and is used, for example, in the A-Class models. It is too early to talk about its reliability.
The 5-speed manual gearbox JR5 is installed in front-wheel drive versions of the Arkana and is characterized by rough shifting mechanism and a budget feel. However, it has excellent durability, and the cost of maintenance, repairs, and spare parts is very affordable.
The 6-speed manual gearbox TL8 is used in all-wheel drive modifications and differs from the similar 6-speed manual gearbox of the Duster only in the absence of a short first gear. In terms of reliability, it is also quite good, with owners only complaining about oil leaks.
The Jatco JF015E CVT is paired with the smaller engine, as seen in the Kaptur crossover. This unit had many teething problems, but most of them have already been resolved.
The Jatco JF016E CVT is well known to us from crossovers such as the X-Trail and Koleos. Compared to its predecessor, the JF011E, the lifespan of the main components has significantly increased, and its problems are typical for any modern CVT: gradual contamination of the oil with friction wear products that clog the hydraulic block, in addition to relatively weak tapered roller bearings.
The crossover suspension is energy-intensive and well-suited for less-than-ideal roads, but as a result, the car is unstable at high speeds and quite rolly in turns.
The light electric power steering feels empty, and the Multi-Sense system does not help in this regard.
The front brakes are ventilated discs, while the rear ones are inexpensive drum brakes, which are only good for city driving and do not slow down the car willingly at high speeds.
