Lexus UX vs Renault Arkana: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Lexus UX (7.6/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Renault Arkana (6.9/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Lexus UX | Renault Arkana |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact SUV | Compact SUV |
| Years | 2018–today | 2020–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 7.6 out of 10 | 6.9 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid · With caution | 1.3 TCe · Buy |
| Score for the rest of the car | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Brakes | 8.3 out of 101 faultHigh severity | No documented faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | No documented faults | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity |
| Electrical system | No documented faults | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Electronics and infotainment | 7.5 out of 103 faultsMedium severity | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Climate control | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Lexus UX
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesBrake booster pump failure on the UX 250h built in May 2019In November 2019 the UK's DVSA recorded the recall of 228 Lexus UX 250h built in May 2019: an electrical connection inside the brake booster pump motor could cause it to stop working. The pump assembly was inspected and replaced if necessary.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmenteCall system failure: communications module (DCM) not activated or failing to restartYes: the UX has had three eCall recalls between 2019 and 2023: a system not activated from the factory, a system that might not work when needed, and a communications module (DCM) that left eCall out of service by not restarting after a software fault.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentFrozen rear camera image due to a software fault in the parking assist unitA Safety Gate alert from November 2025 includes the UX: the parking assist unit's software can freeze the rear camera image when you select reverse shortly after starting, or stop it appearing if the car is switched off and on again within a short time. The fix is a software update.
In their engines
All faults of the Lexus UXMain faults of the Renault Arkana
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the Arkana's E-Tech hybrid version, a significant number of owners describe harsh or random gear changes, loss of traction when pulling away on a slope and even the vehicle being immobilised; there is no Renault campaign or press study confirming it as a pattern, so we document it as a fault reported by owners, not as a fault independently confirmed.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical system12 V battery drain while the car is parkedSeveral Arkana owners report the 12 V battery going flat after just a few weeks, or even a single battery being replaced twice in a year; Renault has not publicly acknowledged excessive drain at rest, so we treat this as reported by owners and not as a confirmed fault.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentResets and freezes of the Easy Link multimedia screenArkana owners describe the Easy Link screen freezing or restarting and the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay pairing being lost frequently; there is no official acknowledgement from Renault or press study confirming it as a pattern.
In their engines
- High severityFrequency: CommonE-Tech HíbridoMulti-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)On the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger with the E-Tech engine, reports describe a risk of the multi-mode gearbox breaking and being replaced. Renault has launched a campaign over a primary shaft seal fault (2020-January 2024, ~150,000 vehicles) that lets oil into the electric motor.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeTurbo actuator (wastegate) faultOn 1.3 TCe/DIG-T engines built up to 19 June 2020, the clip that holds the turbo wastegate valve rod may be missing or come loose, causing a loss of power with the injection warning light on. If the rod is left with too much play, the whole turbo has to be replaced.Repair (garage): €400–€700
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.