Renault Rafale - Review

Introducing the Renault Rafale E-Tech Hybrid. With up to 683 miles of driving range thanks to its advanced E-Tech powertrains, you'll be able to conquer anything, anywhere.

Exterior Design

Renault Rafale Front Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.
3/4 Renault Rafale Front Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.
3/4 Renault Rafale Rear Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.
Renault Rafale Rear Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.
TThe exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.
Renault Rafale Side Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Rafale is designed to be both sporty and distinctive, with its raised fastback-style ranking it in the coupe SUV category. The front grille features an illusion of bright blue backlighting that transforms its appearance depending on the vantage point. The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. The rear of the Rafale features a boldly-raked tailgate. The LED taillights have been pushed to the outer corners of the car to give it a wider stance, and are created with micro-optic technology which brings them to life when activated. When deactivated, a “floating ice-cube” effect is made. The lower bumper is finished in contrasting gloss black. The Rafale also offers wider wheels, with alloys up to 20 inches in diameter available.

Interior Design

Renault Rafale Interior
The Renault Rafale’s interior is designed to be a relaxing and luxurious space, featuring a mixture of premium materials throughout. This attention to detail ensures a high-quality feel and a comfortable environment for all occupants. One of the standout features in the Espirit Alpine trim is the inclusion of sport seats. These seats are upholstered in Alcantara, a material known for its durability and luxurious feel. The tri-colour stitching adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, while the illuminated Alpine emblems on the seatbacks provide a distinctive and stylish detail that enhances the overall aesthetic. The rear seats of the Renault Rafale are designed with passenger comfort in mind. They offer spacious legroom, with 302 mm in radius at the knees, ensuring that even taller passengers can sit comfortably. Additionally, the headroom is generous, with 880 mm available under the sloping roof, providing ample space for passengers to relax without feeling cramped. For those who appreciate high-quality audio, selected models of the Renault Rafale come equipped with a Harman Kardon hi-fi sound system. This premium sound system delivers exceptional audio quality, making every journey more enjoyable by providing a rich and immersive listening experience.
Renault Rafale Digital Instrument Cluster
The Rafale's interior features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 12-inch infotainment display, accompanied by a cleverly designed rear armrest which features two USB outlets, storage for tablets and smartphones, and foldout screen stands for convenient viewing that will keep all occupants comfortable and connected when on the road. Technological updates include examples such as the driver's dashboard display with the previous circle replaced by a 28° diagonal line, known as the speed line, that changes colour as the engine revs up or the car accelerates.
Renault Rafale Sunroof
The unique 1,470mm by 1,117mm Solarbay® panoramic sunroof, designed by Saint-Gobain, is the first car in the world to have this iteration of the feature. It darkens and lightens on demand, allowing you to decide how much light you want using the four opacity modes available - comfort truly tailored to you. The Solarbay roof also adds an additional 29 mm of headroom in the front and 10 mm in the rear, and the laminated glass maintains a comfortable temperature in both summer and winter. It can be controlled by voice through Google Assistant and also has a manual switch located near the ceiling light.
The Ingenius® rear armrest in the Renault Rafale is designed to significantly enhance passenger comfort and convenience, making rear-seat travel more enjoyable and organised. This thoughtfully engineered feature includes several practical elements that cater to the needs of passengers. One of the key aspects of the Ingenius® rear armrest is its integrated storage compartments. These compartments provide a convenient place to store small items such as mobile phones, keys, or snacks, keeping them within easy reach and ensuring the cabin remains tidy and clutter-free. This practical storage solution helps passengers stay organised during their journey. Additionally, the armrest features built-in cup holders, which are essential for holding beverages securely while on the move. This feature not only adds to the convenience but also helps prevent spills, contributing to a cleaner and more comfortable travel experience.
The seats in the Renault Rafale have been meticulously crafted to maximise comfort and support for both drivers and passengers, significantly enhancing the overall driving experience. These seats are designed with a focus on ergonomics, ensuring that occupants remain comfortable even during long journeys. One of the standout features of the front seats is the Alpine illuminated logo. This sophisticated detail not only adds a touch of elegance but also creates a welcoming atmosphere. Upon entry, the logo lights up with a heartbeat-like sequence, providing a warm and inviting ambiance that sets the tone for a premium driving experience. The seats are constructed using high-quality materials that offer both durability and comfort. The cushioning is designed to provide optimal support, reducing fatigue and ensuring that both drivers and passengers can enjoy a relaxed and comfortable ride. The attention to detail in the stitching and upholstery further enhances the luxurious feel of the interior.

Powerful and efficient

Renault Rafale Powertrains
The Renault Rafale offers three hybrid powertrains, all utilising Renault’s E-Tech technology. The first is a 197bhp front-wheel-drive hybrid with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors, providing a smooth, efficient drive. The second is a 295bhp four-wheel-drive hybrid, adding an electrified rear axle for improved traction and handling. The third and most powerful is the 300bhp E-Tech 4x4 hybrid, offering enhanced performance with seamless transitions between electric-only, hybrid, and petrol modes. All variants boast a range of up to 683 miles, ideal for long journeys with fewer stops.

Specialised Safety

Renault Rafale Safety Features
The Rafale is equipped with up to 32 ADAS, including Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) that automatically alerts the driver if the car is going beyond the stated speed limit. The new Active Driver Assist system integrates Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keeping Assist, using geolocation data and specialised maps to allow the car to adapt predictively to the road conditions. All models are equipped with LED Adaptive Vision technology, which adjusts the dipped headlights based on driving conditions. Higher-end models feature LED Matrix Vision technology, allowing the driver to keep the full-beam lights on at all times without dazzling other drivers.
Speed Limiter: Maintains a set maximum speed, enhancing safety and compliance with speed limits.
Distance Warning: Enhances safety by alerting the driver when the vehicle is too close to the one ahead.
360-Degree Camera: Provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, making parking in tight spots easier and safer.
Hands-Free Parking: An automated feature that uses sensors and cameras to detect parking spaces, takes control of steering, and provides guidance to assist drivers in parking safely and conveniently.

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    TECHNO ESPIRIT ALPINE Techno Espirit Alpine specification includes:

    EXTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ Castellet 20” black diamond-cut alloy wheels with smoked varnish
    ✔ shark fin antenna
    ✔ heated electric folding wing mirrors
    alloy boot kick plate
    ✔ esprit Alpine exterior styling
    ✔ matrix LED vision headlights

    INTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ Alcantara TEP upholstery - quilted and perforated with blue background and illuminated Alpine logo
    ✔esprit Alpine synthetic leather steering wheel
    ✔ driver and front passenger seat height adjustment
    ✔ interior ambient lighting
    ✔ 12” OpenR link screen with Arkamys 6-speaker audio, DAB and Google built-in
    ✔ 12.3” driver information display
    9.3” head-up display

    SAFETY & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    ✔ MULTI-SENSE driving modes (eco, comfort, sport & normal)
    ✔ emergency brake assist
    ✔ driver and passenger front airbag, plus side airbags
    ✔ blind spot warning
    ✔ distance warning alert
    ✔ lane departure warning with emergency lane keep assist including solid line, oncoming traffic & road edge detection
    ✔ Renault Automatic Emergency assist (E-Call)
    ✔ sound for pedestrians (1 to 19 mph)
    ✔ isofix child seat fixing points on rear outermost seats
    ✔ super locking
    ✔ frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with brightness adapt & rain sensor
    ✔ automatic lights with auto high/low beam and automatic wipers
    ✔ electronic parking brake with auto-hold function
    ✔ active driver assist: adaptive cruise control + lane centring
    ✔ 4Control Advanced 4-wheel steering

    COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
    ✔ electric power tailgate opening
    ✔ heated driver + front passenger seats
    ✔ 6-way electric front seats with 2-way lumbar and massage function on driver’s seat
    ✔ heated windscreen
    ✔ heated steering wheel
    ✔ hands-free keycard with keyless access & start
    ✔ wireless phone charger
    ✔ two front & two rear USB-C ports
    ✔ automatic dual-zone air conditioning
    ✔ front and rear one-touch electric windows
    ✔ 6-way manual front seats with dark shell backing and storage net
    ✔ sliding centre console armrest
    ✔ manual height & reach adjustable steering wheel
    ✔ ingenious rear armrest with swivelling fold-out stands for devices and charging ports
    ICONIC ESPIRIT ALPINE Techno Espirit Alpine specification, plus:

    EXTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ puddle lamps with logo illumination from door mirrors
    ✔ Solarbay panoramic sunroof with AmpliSky technology

    INTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ 12 speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system

    SAFETY & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    ✔ heated electric folding wing mirrors with memory and auto-tilt when reversing
    ✔ hands-free parking
    ✔ 360° around view 3D camera
    ATELIER ALPINE Iconic Espirit Alpine specification, plus:

    EXTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ 21'' chicane black diamond cut alloys
    ✔ solarbay® opacifying panoramic sunroof
    ✔ door kicking plates with Rafale lettering
    ✔ non body coloured wing mirrors
    ✔ rear window green tinted glass with heating & timer
    ✔ led rear lights with moirage effect
    ✔ two tone colour (standard with flame red on iconic esprit Alpine)

    INTERIOR DESIGN
    ✔ 6 way electric front seats with 2 way lumbar and massage function on driver seat
    ✔ heated driver & passenger seats
    ✔ 3 rear up & down headrests
    ✔ air purifier boost function (via air conditioning)
    ✔ rear air vents on rear of central console
    ✔ automatic dual-zone air conditioning

    SAFETY & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    ✔ automatic high/low beam
    ✔ 360º around view 3D camera
    ✔ thatcham super lock

    COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
    ✔ specific Alpine tuning
    ✔ electric power hands-free boot opening