We get behind the wheel of the all-new, all-electric Renault Scenic E-Tech…
The Renault Scenic has been re-invented for 2024. It’s goodbye to the worthy MPV and hello to a chic zero emissions family crossover – the 2024 European Car of the Year, no less.
Based on kerb appeal alone, the new Renault Scenic E-Tech is more than a match for its many rivals which include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Nissan Ariya, Skoda Enyaq and Peugeot E-3008.
Priced from a very competitive £37,495, Renault is offering the Megane E-Tech’s big brother with two battery options, two power outputs and a choice of three trim levels (entry-level Techno, sporty Esprit Alpine and even better equipped Iconic).
With hints of hatchback and SUV, it’s certainly stylish. The front end is particularly striking with the latest Renault logo set within diamonds which merge into the LED headlights.
Other goodies, such as flush door handles and big 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, help to make this a statement car.
There’s a wow factor inside too with a 12.3-inch driver display and a portrait-orientated 12.0-inch centre infotainment touchscreen which uses Google’s slick tech.
The spacious, classy interior features plenty of storage areas, plus a 545-litre boot, which expands to an impressive 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded.
A special mention for the rear central armrest which houses cup holders that also double up as smartphone or tablet holders, plus two USB-C ports.
There’s also a clever ‘Solarbay’ glass roof on top spec models. It is, in effect, a cutting-edge sunblind, switching from clear to opaque at the touch of a button – and doesn’t eat into headroom either.
Build quality is right up there with the best of its rivals. The animal-friendly leather-like seats and most of the surfaces have a plush feel, and it’s only when you feel around lower down that cheaper, scratchy plastics can be found.
The Scenic E-Tech scores big when it comes to sustainability too. Renault claims that 24% of the materials used are recycled, and 90% of its mass – including the battery – is recyclable.
Standard equipment includes a frameless electro-chromatic rear-view mirror (it can switch to a rear-view screen), heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters for regenerative braking, automatic wipers and a rear-view camera.
Driver assistance and safety kit includes adaptive cruise control, traffic and speed sign recognition, driver attention alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and blind spot warning.
The new Renault Scenic E-Tech is available with two sizes of battery and it’s front-wheel only. The standard range model has a 60kWh battery paired with a 168bhp electric motor, delivering a claimed range of more than 260 miles and a 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds.
The larger 87kWh battery and more powerful 217bhp electric motor has a range of 379 miles, while the 0-62mph sprint takes 7.9 seconds.
Rapid charging is good, but not outstanding (up to 150kW for the larger battery and 130kW for the basic one), so a 20-80% boost should take around 30 minutes. On the plus side, the Scenic E-Tech does come with a heat pump as standard (a feature which is often an optional extra) which aids recharging, especially in cooler temperatures.
Our test car was a top-of-the-range Scenic E-Tech in Iconic trim, featuring the larger 87kWh battery pack.
The driving position is on the high side for me, but it does offer a commanding view of the road ahead, plus there’s plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and seat. Rear visibility isn’t so hot thanks to large C pillars and the slim tailgate window.
That said, the Scenic E-Tech is blessed with light steering, a tight turning circle and lots of parking aids, making it easy to manoeuvre and drive in town.
With instant torque, it’s quick off the mark too, but not blisteringly so like some other EVs.
The ride is comfortable for the most part, only becoming unsettled on poorer surfaces, while the cabin is refined, making it a smooth cruiser.
It’s fair to say that it looks more athletic than it is, so while it’s not a dull drive, it’s not particularly dynamic either. Even so, it manages to stay reasonably flat in more challenging corners and there’s good grip.
Sadly, like many EVs, the brakes are spongy, so there’s a lot of dead travel before they bite, making it hard to slow down smoothly.
The ‘Multi Sense’ driving modes (Personal, Comfort, Eco and Sport) alter the steering weight, throttle response and interior ambient lighting, but – as ever – you’ll find yourself staying in Eco or Comfort, for the best all-round experience and efficiency.
We’d need to spend at least a week with the car to give a proper estimate of real-world range, but we’d guess it’s an impressive 310-330 miles in the 87kWh and the right side of 200 miles in the entry-level model.
Verdict: Stylish, safe, spacious, easy to drive and well equipped as standard, the all-new Renault Scenic E-Tech is keenly priced and one of the best family EVs on the market.
Renault UK
