When it comes to used cars, many people prefer a hybrid combined with a high entry. You have those in all shapes and sizes, but when we read on and see that the average used car price is a considerable €24,000, we take that as a guideline.
Last week we focused on the no-nonsense Kia XCeed, the sporty Cupra Formentor and the premium BMW X2. Because there are plenty more options, this week we are repeating with a DS 7 Crossback, a Lexus NX and a Renault Arkana in the leading roles.
Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid 145 RS Line – 2021 – 45,743 kilometers – €23,935
Last September it was announced that Renault Netherlands would stop selling the Arkana. There would be too little distance to the younger Symbioz, hence. Because the last stock models will probably be sold by now, you will have to turn to the used car market if you have such a coupe SUV on your wish list. That’s no problem: the country is full of them, so look for the desired engine (in addition to the petrol hybrid, it was available for a while with the turbocharged 1.3), version, color, year of construction and/or mileage. As far as the latter aspects are concerned; with a budget of 24 grand you will invariably come across young occasions with sometimes virgin mileages. We love color on the road and because we want to play it safe with such a large budget, we choose this Renault Arkana: the bright blue N-517-SV from the first owner is at the brand dealer in The Hague who (of course) sells it with a year’s Bovag warranty.
Although based on the Captur, the Arkana is a lot longer. The luggage space in particular benefits from this, but occupants are also not short of anything, although you should not be taller than 1.85 meters in the back due to the sloping roofline. There is little to criticize about material choice and build quality. In addition, this RS Line generously equipped: excellent sports seats (leather/alcantara) that are electrically adjustable and heated, DAB audio, navigation system, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, LED lighting, adaptive cruise control plus a number of safety features. Under the hood a special piece of technology: an atmospheric 1.6 works together with two electric motors and more or less two automatic gearboxes with a total of eight gears, but a clutch is missing. This does not always ensure consistent driving behavior. If you don’t ask the utmost from the technology, it is quite livable. Anyway, the Arkana is not a cornering knight, but rather a good-natured travel companion. ‘RS Line’ only stands for external embellishment, not for an anabolic cure.
Type Arkana E-Tech Hybrid 145 RS Line
Where to buy? Zeeuw & Zeeuw Renault The Hague, The Hague
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc, hybrid
Max. system power 105 kW/143 hp
Max. system torque 250 Nm
Luggage space 480 l/1,263 l
Max. braked trailer 760 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 20.0 (WLTP)
All data according to manufacturer specifications
Lexus NX 300h AWD F Sport Line – 2015 – 116,168 kilometers – €23,880
As a premium representative, we showed the BMW X2 last week, this time we choose this Lexus NX. Because for the money of the Arkana above, you also drive such an über-Toyota. However, you will then make concessions in terms of year of construction and mileage (and price or warranty, because 12 months of security costs € 795 extra here). The GJ-232-K (three ex-owners) also has a lot to offer in return. For example, the fuel and electric motor are a lot more powerful, which is reflected in an almost twice as high towing weight. And four-wheel drive is also present. The downside of this is that the NX weighs 350 kilos more.
The NX is drawn quite progressively, something that continues in the interior. As a result, it takes a while before you feel completely at home in it, with a negative leading role for the touchpad for the multimedia system, which is difficult to operate while driving. Material choice and build quality are beyond question: it looks and feels like it was made to last forever. The same applies to the red and black leather-covered sports seats that offer a lot of support and are excellent. The NX mainly excels in legroom in the back. The luggage space is also generous. Features such as a panoramic roof and an electric tailgate are present, as well as many things that we already mentioned with the Arkana. However, you can see its younger age in its many safety features – the NX does not offer the latest in that area.
Interaction and transition between combustion and electric motor is almost imperceptible. The fact that the technology is linked to a cvt is understandable, but it results in unnatural-feeling engine speeds during full acceleration. The premium Japanese is also a bit nervous. The rear axle in particular is softly sprung, while the damping is hard. On (fast) roads with smooth asphalt, the NX is a comfortable cruiser, but when the asphalt gets less, that is clearly noticeable.
Type NX 300h AWD F Sport Line
Where to buy? Car Aaltink, Nijverdal
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 2,494 cc, hybrid
Max. system power 145 kW/197 hp
Max. system torque nb
Luggage space 550 l/1,600 l
Max. braked trailer 1,500 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 18.9 (NEDC)
All data according to manufacturer specifications
DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 225 Opéra – 2021 – 134,259 kilometers – €23,945
Anyone who likes to drive premium, but then in a used car of a year comparable to the Arkana, can go to compatriot DS. That brand is not yet as established as Lexus (logical, because it is also much younger), so the depreciation on most models is above average. For example, we see this DS 7 Crossback at the official dealer (well, Citroën) in Bergeijk. Six years younger than the NX, but with the highest mileage. This import car (whose addition Opéra is not used here) has been on Dutch registration since August, ready to serve its first boss here. He must like the expressive exterior and interior – the car looks rich inside (it is), but sometimes form seems to take precedence over function. In the leather interior, the very generous Opéra offers seat heating, cooling and massage, a memory system on its electric adjustability, active suspension (the road ahead is scanned, allowing the suspension to prepare for what is to come) and many more gadgets, including a BRM clock and audio from Focal. What’s not on it? A nice color, because the HVB-28-S is very black. In all its splendor and – especially – pomp, all occupants have plenty of space, the trunk space is a bit narrower.
The chassis of the DS 7 is mainly tuned for comfort. It may make the car a bit distant and emotionless for sporty drivers, but it is therefore a wonderful touring car. In sudden corners it comes across a bit understeered, something you can quickly correct with some extra throttle thanks to the widely available torque. Despite its soft honest character, the body leans over very little. The steering is also a bit distant, but still precise enough.
The turbocharged 1.6 works together with an electric motor. The span provides the most power and the highest performance. Anyone who plugs in very regularly can come close to the barely realistic WLTP value.
Type 7 Crossback E-Tense 225 Opéra
Where to buy? Citroën dealer Autobedrijf Dirks, Bergeijk
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc, turbo, hybrid
Max. system power 165 kW/225 hp
Max. system torque 360 Nm
Luggage space 401 l/1,712 l
Max. braked trailer 1,250 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 71.4 (WLTP)
All data according to manufacturer specifications
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