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 hey to an elegant zero emissions household crossover – the 2024 European Automobile of the 12 months, no much less.
Based mostly on kerb attraction alone, the brand new Renault Scenic E-Tech is greater than a match for its many rivals which embody the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Mannequin Y, Nissan Ariya, Skoda Enyaq and Peugeot E-3008.
Priced from a really aggressive £37,495, Renault is providing the Megane E-Tech’s massive brother with two battery choices, two energy outputs and a alternative of three trim ranges (entry-level Techno, sporty Esprit Alpine and even higher geared up Iconic).
With hints of hatchback and SUV, it’s definitely trendy. The entrance finish is especially putting with the most recent Renault emblem set inside diamonds which merge into the LED headlights.
Different goodies, equivalent to flush door handles and large 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, assist to make this an announcement automobile.
There’s a wow issue inside too with a 12.3-inch driver show and a portrait-orientated 12.0-inch centre infotainment touchscreen which makes use of Google’s slick tech.
The spacious, elegant inside options loads of storage areas, plus a 545-litre boot, which expands to a powerful 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded.
A particular point out for the rear central armrest which homes cup holders that additionally double up as smartphone or pill holders, plus two USB-C ports.
There’s additionally a intelligent ‘Solarbay’ glass roof on high spec fashions. It’s, in impact, a cutting-edge sunblind, switching from clear to opaque on the contact of a button – and doesn’t eat into headroom both.
Construct high quality is correct up there with one of the best of its rivals. The animal-friendly leather-like seats and a lot of the surfaces have an opulent really feel, and it’s solely whenever you really feel round decrease down that cheaper, scratchy plastics will be discovered.
The Scenic E-Tech scores massive in relation to sustainability too. Renault claims that 24% of the supplies used are recycled, and 90% of its mass – together with the battery – is recyclable.
Normal gear features a frameless electro-chromatic rear-view mirror (it could actually change to a rear-view display), heated entrance seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters for regenerative braking, computerized wipers and a rear-view digital camera.
Driver help and security equipment contains adaptive cruise management, site visitors and velocity signal recognition, driver consideration alert, lane departure warning, lane maintain help, emergency braking with pedestrian and bike owner detection, and blind spot warning.
The brand new Renault Scenic E-Tech is obtainable with two sizes of battery and it’s front-wheel solely. The usual vary mannequin has a 60kWh battery paired with a 168bhp electrical motor, delivering a claimed vary of greater than 260 miles and a 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds.
The bigger 87kWh battery and extra highly effective 217bhp electrical motor has a spread of 379 miles, whereas the 0-62mph dash takes 7.9 seconds.
Fast charging is nice, however not excellent (as much as 150kW for the bigger battery and 130kW for the essential one), so a 20-80% enhance ought to take round half-hour. On the plus facet, the Scenic E-Tech does include a warmth pump as customary (a function which is usually an non-compulsory additional) which aids recharging, particularly in cooler temperatures.
Our take a look at automobile was a top-of-the-range Scenic E-Tech in Iconic trim, that includes the bigger 87kWh battery pack.
The driving place is on the excessive facet for me, however it does supply a commanding view of the highway forward, plus there’s loads of adjustment for the steering wheel and seat. Rear visibility isn’t so sizzling because of massive C pillars and the slim tailgate window.
That mentioned, the Scenic E-Tech is blessed with mild steering, a good turning circle and plenty of parking aids, making it simple to manoeuvre and drive on the town.
With on the spot torque, it’s fast off the mark too, however not blisteringly so like another EVs.
The trip is comfy for probably the most half, solely changing into unsettled on poorer surfaces, whereas the cabin is refined, making it a easy cruiser.
It’s truthful to say that it seems to be extra athletic than it’s, so whereas it’s not a uninteresting drive, it’s not notably dynamic both. Even so, it manages to remain fairly flat in more difficult corners and there’s good grip.
Sadly, like many EVs, the brakes are spongy, so there’s plenty of lifeless journey earlier than they chunk, making it exhausting to decelerate easily.
The ‘Multi Sense’ driving modes (Private, Consolation, Eco and Sport) alter the steering weight, throttle response and inside ambient lighting, however – as ever – you’ll end up staying in Eco or Consolation, for one of the best all-round expertise and effectivity.
We’d have to spend not less than every week with the automobile to present a correct estimate of real-world vary, however we’d guess it’s a powerful 310-330 miles within the 87kWh and the fitting facet of 200 miles within the entry-level mannequin.
Verdict: Fashionable, protected, spacious, simple to drive and properly geared up as customary, the all-new Renault Scenic E-Tech is keenly priced and among the best household EVs available on the market.
Renault UK
