Renault Arkana vs Volkswagen Tayron
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.
Price Breakdown
The Renault Arkana starts from $39,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Tayron opens at $48,290. That makes the Renault Arkana the more affordable entry point by $8,300.
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 $43,989 and $53,119 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Arkana by roughly $3,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Renault Arkana and Volkswagen Tayron hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 96% for the Renault Arkana and 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Renault Arkana and 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron. The Volkswagen Tayron adds a 360-degree camera that the Renault Arkana misses.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Arkana features a 9.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Renault Arkana uses a Petrol producing 105kW and 205Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 seconds.
The Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.
The Volkswagen Tayron has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 105kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Tayron is 1.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Arkana measures 4,568mm long on a 2,720mm wheelbase, 224mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,791mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tayron generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 430L in the Renault Arkana and 570L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Volkswagen Tayron a 140L advantage. The Volkswagen Tayron seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 1,300kg 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 11.2m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,482/year for the Renault Arkana and $2,166/year for the Volkswagen Tayron. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Renault Arkana.
Estimated annual total: $1,482 (Renault Arkana) vs $2,166 (Volkswagen Tayron). The Renault Arkana saves you roughly $684 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Arkana) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Tayron). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Arkana if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Tayron if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Tayron takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Renault Arkana will save you roughly $684 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Tayron 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, Renault Arkana and Volkswagen Tayron?
The Renault Arkana is the cheapest at $39,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Tayron by $8,300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Arkana uses the least fuel at 5.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Renault Arkana and Volkswagen Tayron all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the largest boot at 570L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Tayron makes the most power at 110kW. The Volkswagen Tayron is quickest to 100km/h in 7.8s.
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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