Nissan Qashqai 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.
Data checked: specs 4 Oct 2026, price 5 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$45,640RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Nissan Qashqai starts from $45,640 before on-road costs, while the Renault Arkana opens at $45,990. That makes the Nissan Qashqai the more affordable entry point by $350.
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 $50,204 and $50,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Nissan Qashqai by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Nissan Qashqai
- REC-006662 · published 13 Jul 2026Due to a software issue with the Lithium-ion Battery Controller (LBC) the vehicle may enter a fail-safe mode whilst driving.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006618 · published 5 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel pipe may chafe against the support bracket and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006450 · published 16 Oct 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel pipe may chafe against the support bracket and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- 4 more on the model page.
Renault Arkana
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Nissan Qashqai 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 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 Nissan Qashqai gets cloth upholstery while the Renault Arkana offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Nissan Qashqai and 1-zone in the Renault Arkana.
Drivetrain
The Nissan Qashqai lines up producing 140kW and 311Nm of torque, sent through a reduction drive (automatic) to a FWD layout.
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 Nissan Qashqai has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 116kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Nissan Qashqai measures 4,425mm long on a 2,665mm wheelbase, 143mm 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 404L in the Nissan Qashqai and 485L in the Renault Arkana, giving the Renault Arkana a 81L advantage.
For towing, the Renault Arkana leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.1m
Based on 11.1m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,169/year for the Nissan Qashqai and $1,682/year for the Renault Arkana. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Nissan Qashqai.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Qashqai) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Arkana). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Nissan Qashqai)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan Qashqai if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Renault Arkana if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Nissan Qashqai: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 71
The Nissan Qashqai comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 71), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Nissan Qashqai ahead by 16), safety (Nissan Qashqai ahead by 13), practicality (Renault Arkana ahead by 9). The Nissan Qashqai will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Renault Arkana has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan Qashqai and Renault Arkana?
The Nissan Qashqai is the cheapest at $45,640 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Renault Arkana by $350.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Nissan Qashqai uses the least fuel at 4.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Nissan Qashqai holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Renault Arkana, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Renault Arkana has the largest boot at 485L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Renault Arkana has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Qashqai makes the most power at 140kW.
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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
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