At the right price, the Renault Rafale is carried by prevailing winds

While some automakers might be accused of indecision, at Renault, balance is a philosophy. The brand is betting on an electric future, while continuing to meet the needs of drivers attached to thermal or hybrid powertrains for specific uses. Because not everything is binary: electric or thermal, good or bad, past or future. Drivers have the right to consider their priorities and choose based on their needs. Those who prioritize ease of use, without charging constraints, will appreciate an intelligent hybrid solution, while others prefer to reduce their carbon footprint without necessarily going all-electric.

The Renault Rafale embodies this freedom. Compact and stylish, it meets the expectations of those who want to combine design, comfort, and versatility. With its elevated driving position, it offers a commanding view of the road, which translates into increased safety. And contrary to clichés, a modern SUV with manageable dimensions and optimized weight has nothing to criticize. Why would a compact SUV like the Rafale be less relevant than a sedan?

An Underdog Coupe that Passes Under the Radar of Anti-SUVs

With the Rafale, Renault offers an ideal daily solution: a sleek aeronautical-inspired design (from Caudron, not Dassault), ultra-fine LED lights sculpting its dynamic silhouette, and taut lines giving it a sporty look. Inside, the well-thought-out ergonomics and quality materials will appeal to the most demanding.

On the motorization side, the Rafale shines with its E-Tech hybrid technology. In the city, it can run up to 80% of the time in electric mode, allowing for 40% fuel savings while reducing CO₂ emissions. And for skeptics about charging, its battery recharges automatically while driving, with no plug needed. With 200 horsepower, it combines performance and efficiency. But as not everything can be perfect, and in a blue sky context, starting at 45,500 euros, it’s not cheap!

Renault knows this and offers the Rafale in a well-thought-out long-term rental plan over 37 months and 30,000 km. 36 monthly payments of 420 euros with an initial moderate down payment of 5,500 euros, totaling 45% of the new vehicle price over 3 years, which is reasonable. But the price includes a 3-year warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance, and maintenance, for total peace of mind, and that has no price. Well, it does, but it’s much better when smoothed out into monthly payments. Finally, Renault is currently offering 2 months of free rent.

So, no, the Rafale isn’t the cheapest SUV on the market. But it’s a well-designed car that offers pleasure and reason. It mainly embodies a sensible alternative between full electric and full thermal.

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