The Scenic to be seen in – Renault’s latest EV shines

IF like me, you’ve been around long enough to remember the original Renault Scenic, then this new, full-electric, version may come as a bit of a shock. It’s now all-out, modern SUV instead of boxy, old fashioned MPV. Although Renault refuse to tag it as an SUV. Or an MPV. In fact, they refuse to tag it at all, so maybe they just want us all to get back to calling a car a car, no matter what its stance. Fair enough.

Renault, say they have “reinvented the car for life and living, designed to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of your whole family.” So, the original ideals haven’t changed then. But everything else has, and those changes are most certainly for the better, with the Scenic winning Car of the Year 2024; and after spending a week with one, I can see why it wears the crown.

Apart from being a very smart looking motor, it’s also very well thought out inside and is packed with tech to make you and your family’s journeys very pleasant as well as safe.

The all-important range figures need to match the promise of the Scenic and, thankfully, they do with up to 379 miles for the higher-spec “long-range” models and 260 miles for the entry level. Excellent figures for an EV in this price-bracket.

There are 3 models to choose from, starting with the entry-level ‘Techno’ (from £37,495) which has a 60 kWh battery and 170 PS. It can be optioned with the long-range battery and 220 PS for £40,995. Then we have the sportier-looking ‘Esprit Alpine’ model (from £43,495) with the 87 kWh long-range battery and 220 PS.

Top of the range is the “Iconic” (from £45,495), also with the longer-range battery and having some nifty extra tech, like the Solarbay Opacifying Panoramic Sunroof (more about that later), Smart Rear Mirror, Around View 3D Camera and Front and Rear Park Assist. All models are single-motor, front-wheel drive only, although the platform Renault use for the Scenic does allow for a driven rear axle. Maybe something for the future once efficiencies can be aligned with the extra power.

The Scenic is a generous mid-sized family crossover (sorry, Renault) that is similar in size to the new all-electric Ford Explorer (review coming soon) and the likes of the Peugeot e-3008 and Hyundai Kona EV, although it beats them all for style.

The interior is pretty special too. My Iconic model was finished in a light creme and grey interior material that looks like leather but is, in fact made from recycled plastic bottles. In fact, 24% of the new Scenic is made from recycled materials and a fully 90% of it can be recycled in the future. So, if green is you thing, the Scenic makes a lot of sense.

Apart from the feeling of space you get when you climb aboard the Scenic, the most obvious feature is the 12-inch portrait infotainment screen that is angled slightly toward the driver. It’s running a Google OS and so will be familiar to use for many. It works very well, too, with, sharp, colourful icons and – if you wish – over 50 apps to take advantage of.

Of course, Google Maps will probably be the most-used app and that is extremely easy to use, helped by the responsive screen.

The Harman Kardon sound system is worthy of special mention for being one of the best in any car I’ve driven this year, with its 410-watts delivery crisp, well-balanced sound that may well put more expensive setups to shame.

Thankfully, most of the climate buttons are physical toggle switches along the bottom of the infotainment screen. However, the temperature controls, heated seats and steering wheel buttons are all digital, which means you’ll need to take your eyes off the road to change or activate them. Or use voice commands – which I usually find can be a little hit and miss. At least they are permanently displayed though, so you don’t need to navigate the menus to find them.

There is a wireless phone charger below the main screen on which to perch your mobile phone. However, if you accelerate at a rate above “moderate’ you will find your phone shoots out of the opening and will end up on the floor. Distracting, dangerous and not particularly well-thought out.

The rest of the cabin certainly is well thought-out though, with a large, clear driving display and easy to use buttons on the multi-function steering wheel. The wheel itself feels good in the hands and is adjustable for both rake and reach.

A quick glance around the cabin reveals a well-finished, stylish environment with soft material along the top of the dash and continuing up the A-pillars, while the door tops are finished in genuine wood. There are some neat aluminum touches too, but not enough to make the Scenic’s interior feel old-fashioned.

The Iconic gets the smart rear view mirror, which when activated shows a camera view from the roof of the car, looking rearwards. Great if you have restricted view through the regular mirror due to taller passengers or a full load in the boot. However, I always find these cameras make me a little nauseous and I soon flip back to the regular mirror. That may just be me though . . .

The A-pillars are quite thick and restrict the view at junctions a little, but it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Generally, visibility is good, aided by parking camera and sensors, when needed.

Storage is decent with material-lined, large door bins and a decent glove box, as well as space in and below the floating central arm rest.

The star of the show has to be the sunroof which is guaranteed to get a “Wow!” from friends and family. It uses polymer dispersed liquid crystals to magically make the huge panoramic sunroof either opaque or clear – and for extra effect it does this in stepped sections giving you the option for partial clarity, if you wish.

It can be controlled by voice for extra show-offiness or simply by pushing a button above the rear-view mirror. It’s practical too, saving a good chunk of headroom that a mechanical set up would take.

In the rear, you’ll find your passengers really don’t have anything to complain about. Head and leg room is generous, the seats are very comfortable and those large side windows won’t cause your precious little ones to suffer claustrophobia.

The flat floor stretches from side to side with not a hump in sight to spoil the ride for the middle passenger.

With kids in mind, Renault have provided a smart cental armrest that, when lowered, provides cup-holders that be extended to become phone/tablet holders that are angled just right to keep the kids entertained/quiet. It even has a couple of USB-C chargers in the back. Genius.

The practicality extends to the large boot too. With no rear motor, the Renault Scenic manages to provide 545 litres of space or 1,670 litres if you drop the 40-20-40 folding rear seats.

There is no “frunk” for hiding away the charging cable, although an extra 38 litres is provided under the boot floor which is more than enough.

So, the new Renault Scenic shines both inside and out with its Galic flair and practicality; but how does it drive?

I took a trip from Fife to Glasgow and back with some city centre driving and all in all I found the Scenic to be well-behaved, manoeuvrable and a relaxing place to be – especially on the long motorway stretches. I was on target to achieve around 310 miles from the full charge, so quite a bit down on the official figure of 379 miles. It was cold though . . .

Straight from the off, after pushing the starter, the Scenic impresses with its colourful 12-inch driver display and a fanfare of sound from 1970s superstar Jean Michel Jarre. Grandparents will be impressed, anyway. Even the subtle reversing sound can to optioned as a JMJ creation, which is a little “otherworldly” but in keeping with the Scenic’s ambiance.

Soon after wafting off in near silence, you begin to notice other niceties, like the light steering and the fact that those annoying bings and bongs, usually associated with electric and hybrid vehicles, aren’t so intrusive in the Scenic. They’re subtle and subdued enough to not make you want to immediately pull over and figure out how to stop them.

They can be silenced if you wish and the lane keep is particularly easy to silence, due to a button on the steering wheel.

The Scenic rides very well indeed and even the worst pot-holes are deal with without drama. The regen on the brakes is also surprisingly unobtrusive, with a decent pedal feel that is easy to modulate without the jerkiness you can get in other EVs.

The regen can be altered via the flappy-paddles behind the steering wheel. It has 4 settings but you won’t find a setting that provides one-pedal driving; which is a little disappointing.

I did manage to get out onto some rural B-roads and was surprised by how much fun the Scenic was. It feels quite lithe and “pointy” for such a chunk of SUV (sorry again, Renault). You don’t really notice the weight of those low-down batteries, just the pleasing effect it has on the car’s centre of gravity.

Along with the quick(ish) steering, and good levels of grip, you’ll find the Scenic’s instant power makes for – dare I say it? – a decent driver’s car. Which is not something you can normally say about a family SUV – especially a weighty, electric version. It’s quiet too, with no extraneous noise from the tryes and just a little from the wind around the wingmirrors.

In conclusion, the Renault Scenic is a bit of a belter – whether you see it as an SUV, Crossover or just “the family car” it impresses on many levels. Tech and safety equipment is comprehensive, even in the entry-level model which only misses out on the sci-fi sunroof, Harman Kardon premium sound system and heated front seats – making it a bit of a bargain at just £37,495

Definitely one to consider.