Renault Rafale
New from £38,090 / £291 p/m
Is the Renault Rafale SUV a good car?
Read our expert review
Words by: Autotrader
"Renault isn’t the first name you think of when it comes to upmarket SUVs but the Rafale hopes to change all that. Especially with this plug-in hybrid version and its hopes of tempting tax-conscious company car drivers and private buyers alike with its combination of low CO2 figures, power, efficiency and refinement. Adding those talents to the Rafale’s existing qualities of style, technology and space help its case to an extent. But in a crowded field the Rafale still feels more supermarket brand French fancy than premium patisserie even if the plug-in system does add considerably to its appeal."
Read the review by category
Running costs for a Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
Adding plug-in hybrid system (PHEV in the jargon) to the Rafale line-up unquestionably increases the car’s appeal to company car drivers in particular. And with a useful electric range of up to 65 miles and ridiculously low CO2 emissions, it will certainly keep the tax bills in check. The buying decision will require a bit more number crunching for private buyers though. For those doing mostly local journeys with only the occasional longer drive the plug-in can operate almost exclusively as an electric vehicle, assuming you can keep the battery topped up. But for those without access to home charging or covering greater distances, the standard hybrid is already very efficient and less expensive to buy, finance or lease, meaning the PHEV’s extra cost may not be recovered in fuel costs if your usage doesn’t align with its talents.
Reliability of a Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
Renault has thankfully upped its game since the days when French cars were a byword for flaky reliability. The 1.2-litre engine and hybrid technology in both the standard Rafale and this plug-in hybrid is largely tried and tested, having already seen service in other vehicles from Renault’s range. However, minds won’t necessarily be put at ease by a nondescript three-year warranty, especially when the likes of Lexus, Hyundai and Toyota are offering considerably longer and more competitive warranties.
Safety for a Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
Renault has a longstanding reputation for safety, and the brand consistently nails five-star safety ratings from independent safety test body Euro NCAP. The Rafale is no exception, with a strong showing in adult and child occupant protection. It performs well with driver assistance tech, too, with plenty of features including systems to stop the car if the driver misses a hazard and to prevent it wandering out of lane. Speed limit warning technology is included, too, although the system consistently called it wrong on our test drive. Thankfully, it can be disabled easily enough via a configurable ‘hot key’ you can preset with your preferred level of warnings.
How comfortable is the Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
The plug-in hybrid Rafale’s cabin is pretty much identical to that of the standard version, so the space inside is more or less unchanged. That’s a good thing, because part of the Rafale’s appeal is Audi Q5 space for Audi Q3 money. The boot is huge, and rear legroom is generous, too, even though there isn’t much space for passengers’ feet under the seat in front. Headroom is also plentiful despite the sloping roof, and even very tall passengers will be perfectly comfortable. Renault also claims the plug-in hybrid offers a more comfortable ride, thanks to a clever suspension system offered on top-of-the-range models. It uses a camera to scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension before it reaches the bumps, supposedly combining opposing attributes of sportiness and comfort. A pity it doesn’t play out that way, the Rafale bobbing like a sailing dinghy on a rough sea in Comfort mode and becoming noticeably more jiggly in Sport but without the necessary improvement in steering sharpness to deliver on the promise.
Features of the Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
Just like the standard Rafale the PHEV’s interior is dominated by a huge, vertically orientated screen powered by a Google operating system intended to bring Android phone usability to your car. And it works, with a sharp screen that’s easy to navigate and use, while a selection of apps – including Google Maps – reinforces its smartphone-like interface. The screen is backed up by a clear, high-resolution digital instrument display and an optional head-up display, both of which are difficult to criticise. You still get proper buttons for climate control and some other features, which is ergonomically sound, and there’s a clever centre arm rest in the rear seats including fold-out holders for smartphones and tablets. Top of the range models also get the ‘Solarbay’ panoramic glass roof, which uses electronic opacity control in place of a blind. But for all the good work Renault has done on many of the details, there are still issues. Build quality, for example, is hit-and-miss, and the confusing mess of steering-column stalks behind the wheel means the Rafale never feels like a triumph of usability.
Power for a Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid
For all the high hopes the plug-in is surprisingly similar to the standard hybrid, and built around the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and automatic gearbox. On top of this the plug-in Rafale has a bigger rechargeable battery and three electric motors so it can operate as an electric car on short and middle-distance journeys, while also providing all-wheel drive for token off-road capability. That gives the Rafale much more flexibility, allowing it to operate effectively as a fully electric vehicle on short journeys, or as an efficient hybrid on longer trips. With 300 horsepower on tap it has noticeably more get up and go than the standard car as well. It’s refined enough that you don’t always notice when the petrol engine is running and it’s also incredibly efficient, even when the battery is running low. A selection of driving modes controls the system’s behaviour, with sporty settings for maximum performance, off-road modes for adverse conditions and economy settings for minimum fuel consumption.
Lease deals
These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.
£362.68
Monthly payment
£2,176.06
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.2 litres
£398.99
Monthly payment
£2,393.92
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.2 litres
£411.75
Monthly payment
£2,470.49
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.2 litres
£571.68
Monthly payment
£3,430.09
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.2 litres
Standard equipment
Expect the following equipment on your Renault Rafale SUV. This may vary between trim levels.
- 12.3in Driver Information Display
- 2-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Humidity Sensor and Air Recycling
- 2nd Row of 3 Passenger Bench Seat
- 3x - Rear Headrests
- 6-Way Manual Front Seats with Dark Shell Backing and Storage Net
- Air Purifier
- Black Carpet
- Engine Start Button
- Frameless Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror with Brightness Adapt and Rain Sensor
- High Central Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage
- Luggage Compartment Light
- Paddle Shift Levers for Regenerative Braking
- Rear Seats - 60-40 Split and Fixed Base
- Steering Wheel - Manual Height and Depth Adjustable
- Steering Wheel - Multifunctional including Audio Controls - Cruise Control Operation
- Steering Wheel - Synthetic Leather
- x2 Front and x2 Rear Touch LED Interior Lighting
- 12in OpenR Link Central Touchscreen Multimedia System
- Android Auto and Apple Carplay Wireless Smartphone Replication Compatibility
- Bluetooth
- E-Call - Automatic Emergency Assist
- Front Interior 12V Power Outlet
- Internet Access - Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Navigation System - Google Maps Built In
- Shark Fin Antenna
- USB-C Ports - 2x Front - 2x Rear
- Wireless Phone Charger
- 20in Alloy Wheels - Diamond Cut - Sonic - Black
- Black Door Mirrors
- Bumper Grill Background - Grey
- Door Mirrors - Electric Folding with Heater
- Electric One-Touch Power Front and Rear Windows
- Floating Spoiler - Body Coloured
- Heated Rear Window
- Locking Wheel Nuts
- Reversing Lights - 3rd Brake Light
- Tinted Rear Windows and Tailgate
- Tyre Inflation Kit
- 3x3 Point Rear Seat Belts
- Active Emergency Braking System - Urban - Pedestrian - Cyclist and Junction Function
- Adjustable Driver and Passenger Safety Seat Belts
- Airbags - Driver and Front Passenger
- Alarm
- Anti-Lock Braking System - ABS
- Collision Avoidance Braking - Autonomous Emergency Braking
- EBA - Emergency Brake Assist
- Electric Parking Brake with Auto-Hold Function
- Electronic Stability Program - ESP
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist including Solid Line - Oncoming Traffic - Road Edge Detection
- Front and Rear Seatbelt Reminder
- Hands-Free Keycard with Keyless Entry
- Hill Start Assist and Trailer Stability Assist
- ISOFIX Child Seat Fixing Points on Rear Outermost Seats
- Immobiliser
- Intelligent Speed Assist - Traffic Sign Recognition with Speed Alert
- Multi Collision Braking
- My Safety Switch - Shortcut to Personalise Configuration of Driving Aids
- Occupant Safe Exit and Child Locking Function for Rear Doors and Windows
- Passenger Airbag Deactivation - Manual
- QRescue - QR Code Fireman Access for Technical Information
- Rear Active Emergency Braking System
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Automatic Braking
- Remote Central Locking
- Seatbelt Pretensioners - Front
- Seatbelt Pretensioners - Rear for 3 Seats
- Side Airbags
- Superlocking
- Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Recognition and Rear Detection with Emergency Lane Keeping Assist
- Digital Rear View Camera
- Driver Attention Alert
- ECO Mode Function
- Exterior Temperature Display
- LDW - Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Change Warning
- Miles Per Hour Configuration
- Multisense - Driving Modes - Eco - Comfort - Sport - Personal
- Parking Sensors - Front - Rear - Side
- Safe Stopping Distance Warning
- Service Interval Indicator
- Trip Computer
- Tyre Pressure Warning Light
- Voice Control for Navigation System - Google Assistant Built In
- Automatic Headlights and Rain Sensitive Front Wipers
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Headlights - Automatic High-Low Beam
- LED Front Signature Lighting
- Mirage Effect Rear LED Lights
- Power Assisted Steering
- Speed Limiter
Related articles and reviews
Renault Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid (2024 – ) review
Can Renault’s flagship coupe-SUV cut it as a convincing competitor to premium rivals?
Renault Rafale SUV (2024 - ) review
Big, practical and good to drive the hybrid-powered Rafale is Renault’s latest attempt to move into the premium sector
Your questions answered
Monthly rentals ('payments') are not an offer of credit. Payments are based on offers available today which may be withdrawn or varied at any time in the future without notice.
Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.
Autotrader Limited (Firm Reference Number: 735711) is a credit broker and not a lender. Autotrader Limited introduces you to Autotrader Leasing Limited, which acts as a credit broker in its own right. Autotrader Leasing Limited, No.3 Circle Square, 3 Hawkshaw Street, Manchester, M1 7BL (Firm Reference Number: 630748) may go on to introduce you to one of a limited number of leasing companies. Autotrader Leasing Limited will typically receive a commission or other benefits from the leasing company as a result of this introduction.
Autotrader Leasing Limited is an Autotrader Group Plc company.
Vehicles are subject to availability and may vary from images shown.