Renault Rafale – a new direction with a familiar feel

A familiar feeling behind the wheel

The Renault Rafale is an SUV coupé that demonstrates how far Renault has come in terms of driving dynamics, hybrid technology, and modern interior design.

There's something about modern Renaults that often surprises. Not because they try to be something they're not, but because they consistently do certain things very, very well. The steering is one such detail.

And in the Renault Rafale, it's immediately noticeable.

Even after a few kilometres, that feeling emerges. The front end responds exactly as you want, the car feels light on its feet despite its size, and the communication through the steering wheel is unusually clear for the class. This is a characteristic Renault has built up over a long time, and here it's exactly where it should be.

A hybrid that works in the background

The hybrid powertrain is one of the model's strongest points. It works discreetly in the background, delivering power when needed, without making a big fuss about it. In city traffic, it's quiet and smooth, almost electric in its character. On country roads, there's enough power for the car to feel brisk when you want it to, but without becoming stressed.

And perhaps most importantly in everyday life: you don't have to worry about range. That's the freedom a well-functioning hybrid still offers.

Kia EV5 and Audi A6 e-hybrid are two other models I've recently spent time with, both with their own takes on modern electrification.

The technology behind the Renault Rafale

The Renault Rafale is built on the group's CMF-CD platform, the same foundation used in models such as the Austral and Espace, but here in a more design-focused and dynamic guise.

The drivetrain is Renault's E-Tech full hybrid, where a petrol engine is combined with one or more electric motors and a smart multi-mode gearbox without a traditional clutch. The system seamlessly switches between electric, hybrid, and pure petrol drive depending on the situation.

The top version also offers a plug-in hybrid with higher power and the option of all-wheel drive via an extra electric motor on the rear axle, giving the car a completely different breadth of use.

Four-wheel steering, known as 4Control Advanced, is also a central part of the driving experience. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction for smoother manoeuvrability, while at higher speeds, they follow the front wheels for increased stability. The result is a car that feels smaller than it is in urban traffic, but safe and stable on the motorway.

Internally, there's a clear step up for Renault, both in material choices and in the digital experience. The OpenR system, based on Android Automotive, provides a fast and intuitive infotainment solution with Google services integrated from the start.

Renault has also placed great emphasis on the visual experience inside the cabin. When switching between the car's different driving modes, the interior lighting changes and the Alpine logos under the seats shift colour depending on the selected mode. A detail that might not change how the car drives, but which enhances the feeling that the Rafale has several different personalities depending on mood and road.

A name with history

The Rafale name is new to the model range, but not to Renault's history.

As early as the 1930s, the name was used for a racing aircraft from Caudron-Renault, during a time when Renault not only built cars but also aero-engines and participated in the early development of aviation.

Rafale then stood for speed, precision and technical innovation.
Qualities that Renault is now trying to translate into a modern interpretation in the form of a coupé SUV.

A new flagship role

The Renault Rafale is not just a new model. It marks a clear shift.

The design is more confident, the interior is more refined, and the driving experience shows that Renault still prioritises what happens behind the wheel. This isn't always obvious in this type of car.

And perhaps that's where the Rafale succeeds best.

It feels well thought-out.

Not exaggerated.
Not forced.
Exactly.

Technical Information – Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4 300

Price: from 557,900 kronor
Engine: Electricity and petrol
Effect: Total system output 300 hp
Gearbox Automatic multi-mode transmission
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 6.4 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
Weight: around 2,000 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4,710 / 1,886 / 1,613 mm