It seems like the fruits of Renault’s 2021 Renaulution plan are coming to fruition. You can’t have missed all the excitement around the re-introduction of the 5 in EV form, and the arrival of this Scenic, with the Rafale and Symbioz SUVs also incoming.
Think Scenic, and you’d think small MPV. Due to the growth of the SUV, that market is dead and, as such, despite the name, this car is a crossover, with Renault keen to talk about this new family car’s roominess and practicality as some of the key selling points.
Previously a Car of the Year winner as the Megane Scenic in 1997, the new car has won favour again in 2024, as the Scenic.
The look might not be retro like the 5, but from the front it’s quite distinctive with the large new logo, grille made from diamonds on the front air dam, and unusual triangular driving lights under the high-set LED adaptive headlights.
At 4.47m long, 1.86m wide, and 1.57m high, it’s the new Scenic’s dimensions that are the talking point at the side.
At the rear, just like the front, there are high-set lights which spread across the boot, which Renault tells us are supposed to make the Scenic look wider. Then, there’s a chunkier rear air dam, with noticeable diffuser.
Interior tech
Inside, if you liked the Megane E-Tech, or the Austral’s design, you’re going to like the Scenic. The dashboard is made up of a vertical 12.3in touchscreen that controls most things, although we’re pleased that there’s a small bank of buttons to control the air-conditioning. The screen itself, which runs Google software along with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality, is generally easy to use. Although there are too many stalks (gear selector, indicators, and audio controls) in one place, in our opinion.
This Renault’s driving position is comfortable and the seats supportive but move to the rear seat and the space is even more impressive. There’s room for three, but better for two, with the clever centre armrest folded down with space for phones and tablets. Cleverest interior feature must be the SolarBay roof, which is fitted as standard to this Iconic grade, and has clever glazing, that can be changed from clear to opaque at the touch of a button, or by voice command. It gives some welcome extra light in this Renault’s interior.
Then there is the 545-litre boot, which is deep, and practically shaped – but has a high loading lip. The boot can be extended by the 40:20:40 split/fold rear seat.
We couldn’t miss the hard and shiny plastics on the international launch, but if anything, the hard plastics are shown up by the Scenic’s excellent interior design even more – our test car even had flimsy feeling column stalks. Another disappointment is that the glass roof does eat into the Scenic’s rear headroom.
Under the bonnet
The Renault Scenic is powered by a choice of single, front axle-mounted electric motor, with 167hp and 215-mile range, or the 215hp and 379-mile range in the Long Range version that we drove. Cleverer, is that Renault claims pre-conditioning of the battery takes place automatically, just as the Scenic nears a scheduled charging point. As a result, it claims the equivalent of 209 miles can be added in just 30 minutes, at up to 150kW for the Long Range version. The Scenic also has a welcome standard heat pump. Our Iconic range-topper, with its claimed 8.4-second 0-62 acceleration feels quicker than those figures suggest and more able than the Peugeot E-3008. There are also four driving modes, which basically change the steering and accelerator feel. Plus, three different regenerative braking modes – the Scenic can’t quite demonstrate one-pedal driving, but it is certainly close.
The Scenic’s confident and comfortable ride still impresses, though, considering the 20in wheels it is running on – although the steering ratio is too fast. The Scenic, overall, remains a useful addition to the crossover market, which is good to drive, with an excellent range.
Positive: Attractive design inside and out, practical interior space and stowage, easy to use tech.
Negative: Interior fit and finish not as impressive as the styling, overkeen steering, tidy rather than involving drive.
Standard equipment: 19in ‘streamline’ alloy wheels, front and rear full LED lights, electric flush door handles, flush roof bars, shark fin antenna, power folding door mirrors , logo puddle lights, 12.3-inch driver information display and 12in OpenR multimedia screen, automatic air-conditioning, a frameless electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, rear-view camera, front and rear park assist, heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters for regenerative braking, automatic wipers, multi-sense with ambient lighting, electric boot opening, intelligent contextual adaptive cruise control, traffic and speed sign recognition, driver attention alert, distance warning alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane centring, active emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning.
| Model | Renault Scenic E-Tech 160kW Iconic |
| P11D | £45,440 |
| Residual value | 51% |
| Depreciation | £21,990 |
| Fuel | £3,869 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,483 |
| Cost per mile | 47.23p |
| Range | 379 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £15/£30 |
| Luggage capacity | 545 litres |
| Battery size/power | 87kWh/215hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
