Let me start with something that might surprise you. This is currently the flagship Renault. And under the bonnet sits a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre engine producing 150 horsepower.
If that sounds underwhelming, wait. Because the Rafale behind me is not just a petrol car. It’s a full hybrid with three electric motors. One on the front axle producing 70 horsepower, one on the rear axle delivering 136 horsepower, plus a starter-generator adding another 34 horsepower. The result is a combined system output of 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive.
Suddenly, that three-cylinder engine doesn’t sound so modest anymore. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 6.4 seconds, and top speed is limited to 180 km/h. Honestly, for a car like this, that feels more than enough.
But numbers rarely tell the full story. I sit behind the steering wheel of the new Renault Rafale.
Design
The Rafale sits in the D-segment and follows the current trend of coupe-SUV styling. In many ways, it replaces the large executive sedans Renault once offered, just like Vel Satis and Avantime represented bold interpretations of their time. Today, the format has changed — SUVs are the new executive cars.
This is Renault’s new design language, and according to the brand, it is distinctive and rooted in heritage. Personally, when I look at the front end, I don’t see a particularly strong identity. It doesn’t look bad. In fact, it looks modern and perhaps even slightly aggressive for this type of car. But I’m not entirely convinced that you would instantly recognise it as a Renault without the badge.
The side profile is more convincing. The lines are dynamic, the surfaces sculpted, and the 21-inch wheels — the largest available for the model — add visual presence. The rear end continues that dynamic theme, with interesting aerodynamic elements around the rear window designed to reduce lift at higher speeds.
The taillights are grey rather than red, following the current “smoked” trend, although here they feel more subtle than dramatic. What I personally struggle with is the “Rafale” script on the tailgate. The font feels dated, almost like something from fifteen years ago. Without it, the rear would look cleaner and more premium.
What truly elevates the car visually, however, is the colour. The satin blue finish of the test car looks absolutely fantastic on the road. It costs extra — and not a small amount — but in this shade, the Rafale genuinely turns heads.
Interior
If the exterior is attractive, the interior is genuinely impressive.
Let’s start from the back, because that’s where I discovered one of the smartest solutions I’ve seen in a long time. The second row features integrated phone holders in the seatbacks. It’s such a simple idea, yet incredibly clever. Phones are part of everyday life, and having a dedicated, adjustable slot that actually holds them securely is brilliant. I haven’t seen it executed this well before.
Rear passengers also get multiple USB-C ports and generous legroom and headroom. Even with the panoramic roof, space remains impressive. The almost flat floor means three adults can sit relatively comfortably. The blue carpeting in this version adds personality — small details like that make a difference.
Up front, the Rafale continues to impress with thoughtful design. Renault speaks a lot about its aviation heritage, and there’s a certain cockpit-like feel here. What looks like a control lever is actually a comfortable armrest that houses an EV mode button, allowing you to switch between hybrid, electric or battery-saving modes quickly. It’s practical and intuitive.
The absence of a traditional gear lever frees up space. The selector sits behind the steering wheel, which feels natural after a short adjustment period. There’s wireless phone charging integrated into the console — not the fastest charging solution, but it doesn’t overheat the device, which is often more important.
Ergonomically, I’m satisfied. The large screens offer sharp graphics and, finally, integrated navigation data from apps like Waze in the driver display. The system is responsive and logically structured. Crucially, Renault has kept physical climate control buttons. That alone deserves praise in today’s touchscreen-obsessed world.
The steering wheel buttons are physical, although finished in glossy material that attracts fingerprints. Keep a cloth nearby.
The sports seats look excellent, combining Alcantara and synthetic leather, with stitching inspired by the French flag. They offer good lateral support, but here I must criticise Renault. For a car in this class and at this price point, six-way manual adjustment feels insufficient. There’s no front seat base tilt adjustment, and I struggled to find the perfect driving position. That feels like unnecessary cost-cutting.
Still, the overall impression of the interior is extremely positive. It feels well built, thoughtfully designed and, most importantly, comfortable.
On the Road
The last Renault I drove with similar power was my old Megane RS. The numbers may be comparable, but the experience is entirely different.
The Rafale weighs 1,950 kilograms — about 300 more than the standard hybrid version. That weight changes the character. The acceleration is strong and pleasant, but not explosive. Power delivery is linear and predictable, which suits a family car perfectly.
The hybrid system works harmoniously. Most of the time, the transition between petrol engine and electric motors is smooth. Occasionally, at very low speeds in traffic, the petrol engine engages slightly abruptly, particularly when charging the battery.
Fuel consumption can be impressively low in city driving. With sufficient battery charge, figures around 1.4 litres per 100 km are possible. Realistically, however, the system shines in urban and secondary road use. On the motorway, consumption rises to around 9 litres per 100 km or more. That’s simply the reality of moving nearly two tonnes at sustained high speeds.
Where the Rafale stands out is in its chassis setup. The adaptive suspension and Renault’s 4Control system — four-wheel steering — make a noticeable difference. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front, improving manoeuvrability. In the city, the car feels surprisingly agile for its size. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the fronts, increasing stability.
Unlike in sportier Renault models where this system could feel slightly unpredictable, here it works seamlessly. Compared to the smaller Austral, which felt unnecessarily stiff, the Rafale strikes a much better balance between comfort and control. It’s composed, stable and genuinely pleasant to drive.
Not everything is perfect. The 360-degree cameras lack the image quality expected at this price. The parking assistant can feel hesitant and occasionally forces driver intervention. Traffic sign recognition struggles with conditional signs, sometimes displaying incorrect speed limits. The Level 1 driver assistance system — combining adaptive cruise control and lane centring — works reliably overall, though it occasionally slows down without clear reason.
At night, the matrix headlights perform well, but I would appreciate more control over interior brightness. Even with the central screen turned off and brightness reduced, the cabin remains too illuminated for long nighttime drives.
Conclusion
The Renault Rafale is an attractive package with genuinely practical substance. It combines bold design, a spacious and comfortable interior, clever technological solutions and a well-balanced chassis. The hybrid system is efficient in the right conditions, and the four-wheel steering adds real value.
It’s not a sports car, despite the 300 horsepower. It’s not perfect in its assistance systems. And it has a few questionable cost-saving decisions inside. But as a modern family flagship, it works.
It feels comfortable, confident and thoughtfully engineered. And perhaps most importantly, it feels like Renault is once again trying to be interesting — not just competitive.
Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
