I might be showing my age here but I recall the introduction of the first Renault Scenic back in 1996 when it was referred to as the ‘Megane Scenic’. This vehicle went on to become rather successful to say the least and is now widely regarded as the first compact Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in European automotive history. The concept car was unveiled in 1991 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the road-going version reached dealerships in 1996. It was designed from the inside out for comfort and became a cocoon for cross-country travel with pioneering safety and a super relaxing drive. For this era it was full of trailblazing technology and featured windows that were larger than life for excellent visibility. It was voted European Car of the Year in 1997 and Renault has sold more than 5.4 million units in 110 countries. This impressive sales number is set to grow further with the re-introduction of the Scenic brand now powered by the E-Tech electric platform. We recently took a trip out to Spain for an initial test drive to see if this vehicle simply pays homage, or is it a worthy successor to the Scenic of past.
Features
So what have we got here in terms of proportions? Well, looks can be deceiving because although sizeable, it weighs in at just 1.85 tonnes with a compact wheelbase of 2.78 metres. Purposeful and well thought out is how we would describe it with Renaults modern design language commanding your attention as you walk around the vehicle. Whilst some DNA elements are visible from the previous generation Scenics, this isn’t a reborn example like Renault have recently done with the 5 on which, it shares some of its underpinnings. Instead the new Scenic was aerodynamically designed to maximise efficiency and thus resulting in better looking vehicle with hidden MPV qualities. This for us is a good thing because MPV’s have somewhat lost their cool over the last ten years resulting in the mass movement to SUV’s and Crossovers, which we are all too familiar with. Do, or did we ever really need this to happen? Probably not if truth were told but peoples tastes change and this new era of vehicles seems to blur the lines between MPV and SUV. This new Scenic E-Tech electric comes six colours with four trim levels to include Evolution, Techno, Esprit Alpine and the top of the range Iconic trim. Our test vehicle was decked out in Iconic trim and boy does it look good.
Opening the drivers door reveals a cabin of generous proportions, comfortable seats and two screens in a continuous L-shaped configuration. The horizontal TFT screen directly in the drivers eye measures 12.3-inches corner-to-corner, whilst a vertical 12-inch touch screen in the middle of the console display’s crystal clear vitals with ‘ease of use’ very much a factor. Jumping into the rear and all six-foot of me was swallowed up with ease! With 278 mm of knee room and a generous 884 mm of head room, it is plenty big even for those families with lengthy teenagers to transport. A panoramic roof lets in ample light but this is no ordinary panoramic glass, its actually Renaults pioneering Solarbay opacifying sunroof which can be see-through or opaque at the flick of a button. This heat insulated window needs no blind and has multiple settings including partially open to the front or rear. Another ingenious feature is the rear armrest which has storage space for smartphones or tablets with fold-out stands to comfortably watch screens. Two drink holders, and two USB-C outlets also aid with rear passenger comfort. Opening the tailgate reveals a class leading 545 litre boot that can swallow 1,670 litres of your finest French orange juice with the rear seats down.
Power
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric will come with a choice of two battery options one of which is the entry 60 kWh and our test car which was powered by the 87kWh battery. Both have eight-year, 160,000km warranty and separate modules can be individually repaired or replaced in the event of a failure. Expect 160hp from the entry level motor with a range of up to 430km and 220hp with a claimed 625km range in the larger variant. Will it actually do this claimed range? Well, only time will tell but if you are hogging the motorway overtaking lane or exploring the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of just 7.9 seconds, then we should think not! Drive it sensibly and you should see north of 500 kilometres which, is perfectly acceptable. Quick charging of up to 150 kW is also possible and Renault have clinched a deal with Ionity through it’s Mobilize card service to avail of better charging rates across Europe.
Safety
All versions of Scenic E-Tech electric are equipped with more than 30 ADAS and safety features that include innovative systems tailored for each driver. As we know, all new vehicles have to come with these driving aids but some can be intrusive and off putting. With that in mind the Scenic will always start with all safety aids turned on, but by configuring the ‘Perso’ settings you can simply double click a button to the right of the steering wheel to dis-engage what you are not comfortable with! Think of it as a ‘hot-key’ as such that makes it much easier than scrolling through vast safety menus.
Summary
We spent two days enjoying the mountainous routes around the Mijas region flicking between Comfort, Sport, Eco, and the Custom driving modes. The Scenic felt planted, comfortable even rolling on 20-inch wheels and engaging to drive at all times. With four levels of regenerative braking you can enjoy a hint of single pedal driving whilst also replenishing your battery. Road noise is almost non existent with ample sound-deadening used between the drivetrain and cabin giving you a hushed driving experience to enjoy the quality infotainment. For us Renault are on a roll now with some fantastic products on the market. From Megane E-Tech to Austral and now Scenic, each have been very impressive to drive. Soon we will see the Rafale and 5 entering the Irish market not to mention 4 EV and Symbioz also rumoured to be on the way. At the time of writing, prices have yet to be confirmed for the new Scenic but we will report back in due course with a full Irish review on our more familiar testing routes. This all new Renault Scenic E-Tech has already scooped the prestigious award for Car of The Year 2024 at the Geneva motor show, and it’s not hard to see why!
