All New 2024 RENAULT RAFALE - Visual REVIEW, interior & exterior

The new Renault Rafale brings coupe SUV style to the mainstream with its fashionable design inside and out. Taking aim at the likes of the Peugeot 408, Cupra Formentor and Citroen C5 X, the Rafale offers an upscale look and feel for buyers who want to stand out without shelling out for a luxury brand.

Right from first glance, the Rafale makes an impression with its bold, upright front end featuring Renault's signature large grille flanked by sleek, modern headlights. The coupe-like roofline flows back to the rear where narrow taillights flare outwards, emphasizing the Rafale's wide, planted stance. It's a head-turning design that looks far more expensive than the Renault badge might suggest.

Slipping inside, the Rafale's cockpit envelops the driver with its sporty, driver-focused layout. Taking center stage is the dual-screen setup, with a horizontal digital instrument panel in front of the driver and a portrait-oriented central infotainment touchscreen to control navigation, media and vehicle settings. Both displays are quick to respond and intuitive to navigate. Material quality is a mixed bag - not cheap-feeling but shy of premium - though the top-spec Iconic Esprit Alpine's seat upholstery is a plush, upscale highlight.

Passenger space is a strong point for the Rafale, with ample leg and headroom in the back seats for two adults to travel in comfort, plus decent space for a third in the middle. Storage options are about average for the class - the door bins are notably accommodating but the glovebox and center armrest bin are on the small side. Cargo capacity ranges from 530-535 liters depending on powertrain, besting the Formentor and 408 but coming up short of the C5 X.

Initially, the Rafale is only offered as a self-charging hybrid with 200 horsepower and a very respectable 60.1 mpg rating. A more powerful 300hp plug-in hybrid is on the way and will likely be the pick for company car buyers thanks to its low Benefit-in-Kind rate and ability to travel on electric power alone if regularly charged.

On the road, we expect the Rafale to continue Renault's trend of prioritizing comfort over sportiness, though we'll have to wait for a test drive to say for sure. In any case, those cross-shopping the Rafale will find its focus on style, efficiency and technology to be compelling selling points.

The Renault Rafale is priced from £38,195 in Techno trim, climbing to £41,695 for the Techno Esprit Alpine and topping out at £44,695 for the fully-loaded Iconic Esprit Alpine. Even in base trim, standard kit impresses with 20-inch alloys, wireless phone charging, and key safety tech like adaptive cruise control. That said, budget-conscious buyers can find more affordable alternatives in this class, especially petrol and diesel models. But for the style and efficiency-minded, Renault's sleek new crossover coupe makes a compelling argument to give the French brand a fresh look.

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