Kia EV3 vs Renault Arkana
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Kia EV3 & Renault Arkana
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Kia EV3 starts from $47,600 before on-road costs, while the Renault Arkana opens at $45,990. That makes the Renault Arkana the more affordable entry point by $1,610.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $52,360 and $50,589 respectively.
The Kia EV3 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Renault Arkana, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
81.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 101kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 101kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Renault Arkana gets a 9.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV3 stands out with V2L that you will not find on the Renault Arkana. The Renault Arkana counters with wireless charging, power tailgate, Bose audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV3 gets cloth upholstery while the Renault Arkana offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV3 and 1-zone in the Renault Arkana.
Drivetrain
The Kia EV3 uses a Electric producing 150kW and 283Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Renault Arkana responds with a Petrol making 116kW and 270Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds.
The Kia EV3 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 116kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia EV3 is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV3 measures 4,300mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 268mm shorter than the Renault Arkana at 4,568mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Renault Arkana generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the Kia EV3 and 485L in the Renault Arkana, giving the Renault Arkana a 25L advantage.
For towing, the Renault Arkana leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.8m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Arkana). The Kia EV3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia EV3 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Renault Arkana if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia EV3 takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The Kia EV3 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV3 and Renault Arkana?
The Renault Arkana is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV3 by $1,610.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Arkana uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Renault Arkana has the largest boot at 485L.
Which can tow the most?
The Renault Arkana has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV3 makes the most power at 150kW. The Kia EV3 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
