Renault has shown that they can make good electric cars. The Zoe was one of the very first usable electric cars on the market. The Scenic E-Tech was named European Car of the Year 2024. Can it stand out among the other electric SUV models?
Where is the knob?
You shouldn't take an unfamiliar car out on the road without getting to know it beforehand. Yet that's exactly what I do. First I adjust the seat and steering wheel – and then I drive off straight away. If the driver's seat is intuitively designed, everything goes well. And I can say that (almost) everything went well. The gear selector is located on a lever on the right side of the steering wheel, just above the wiper lever. So after a few involuntary swipes of the wipers, I maneuvered the car out of the parking garage and onto the road.
The infotainment system is Google Assistant and can be operated easily while driving. I found my radio station, but no volume knob to turn down the volume. So with one eye on the road, I tried to find the volume knob with the other. Finally, I found it hidden behind, under the steering wheel on the right side – completely invisible from the driver’s seat. Renault has placed the volume knob out of sight, and instead placed the button to select driving program very visible on the steering wheel. I think you change the volume more often than you change the driving program?
Steady in the turns
The Scenic works well on the road. The suspension absorbs bumps and potholes in the road very well. Speed bumps can also be driven over without discomfort. The car is very stable sideways. When cornering, you don't notice that you are sitting in a vehicle that weighs 1,9 tons. In cars like this, the weight of the batteries is often felt well in roundabouts and tight corners – either in the form of roll or that you feel the grip being squeezed. In this car, it was as if centrifugal force had been magically dispelled.
Lacks steering feel
One factor that dampens the perception of lateral forces may be that the steering does not convey what forces the wheels are exposed to. I give a plus for the steering being light and direct, but it also gets a minus for not being able to feel the grip through the steering wheel.
Disco button
I had no trouble finding the button to select the driving program. It is marked "MULTI SENSE" and very clearly located on the steering wheel. Each program has its own mood lighting. So if you press it several times, the car will have disco lighting. I chose to stop the show at "Comfort". "Eco" can also work, but then I noticed that the engine stalled ("stuck") when I wanted to increase speed on the highway. I think everyone can drive just as economically in "Comfort" mode without having to feel like you are losing engine power.
Consumption and range
At the end of the day, my Eco score on the dashboard showed 88/100 with an average consumption of 16.0 kWh/100km. You can regulate the regenerative braking with paddles on the steering wheel. I chose a fairly powerful brake and drove with one pedal. The stated range is 622 km. My calculated range was 539 – 548 km depending on the calculation method. These are good numbers considering that most of the driving took place on the motorway at 100 km/h. Fast charging from 15 to 80% is stated to take 37 minutes. The batteries are automatically preheated when you enter a charging station as a destination in the navigation system.
A good platform
Scenic E-Tech shares a platform with Nissan Ariya and the brand new one Nissan Leaf, and will also come in new electric models from Mitsubishi. Ampr Medium The platform is designed for bidirectional charging with both V2L and V2G.
The Renault Scenic only comes with front-wheel drive, while the Nissan Ariya, on the same platform, offers dual motor and 4WD at the same price. Since the platform is dimensioned for dual motor, should it be possible for Renault to offer 4WD for the Scenic as well?
Even though the wheelbase and exterior dimensions are roughly the same, the Scenic clearly wins in terms of space. Nissan also markets the Ariya as a Coupe CrossoverCompared to the Ariya, "my" Scenic is 400 kg lighter, can take 130 liters more luggage and has 100 km more range.
From MPV to SUV
The Renault Scenic first appeared in 1995 as a compact MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) – practical family cars with smart solutions. The new Scenic is aimed at the same buyer group, although the MPV character is no longer as prominent. Visually, it differs little from other high-built SUV models such as Toyota BZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4 og Ford Mustang Mach E to name a few. The space in the Scenic is actually very good and the seats are comfortable. The trunk holds a decent 545 liters with the rear seats intact. Of the aforementioned competitors, only Volkswagen has a similarly large trunk.
Prices
Renault Scenic E-Tech can be delivered with a smaller battery. 60 kWh gives a range of up to 430 km, costs 40.000 kroner less and weighs 95 kg less. I believe that long range is the key to a happy life with an electric car. Therefore, I think most people will have a better everyday life with the large battery of 87 kWh which can give up to 622 km of range. The car in this post has the large battery. In Techno version, the car costs 419.810 kroner, in the color diamond black fully delivered in Oslo. The equipment level includes equipment that Google Assistant with voice control and electric tailgate. The only thing I was missing in “my” equipment level was blind spot warning. The wide area around the C-pillar gives poor visibility diagonally to the rear. To get blind spot warning you need Pack, parking, driving and safety assistant to 11.900 kroner. I would also have set up a Harman Kardon plant for 9.900 kroner on the wish list.
Facts Renault Scenic E-Tech
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 447 x 186 x 157 cm
Wheelbase: 278 cm
Net weight: 1858 kg (without driver)
Payload: 508 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1100 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Roof load: –
Drivetrain
Engine: Electric located at the front
Power: 220 HP
Torque: 300 Nm
Gearbox: 1-speed automatic
Front wheel drive
Performances
Top speed: 170 km/h
0-100: 7.9 seconds
Battery pack
Manufacturer: LG Energy Solution
Type: Lithium-ion NMC
Total capacity for use: 87 kWh
Heat pump
Preheating
Range and consumption
WLTP: 622 km (combined)
Stated consumption WLTP: 16,9 kWh/100km
Real consumption test: 16,0 kWh/100km
Cargo
Contacts: Type2 and CSS
On-board charger: 11kW
Charging time Type2, 11kW, 15-80%: 3h 0min.
Charging time CSS, 150kW, 15-80%: 37 min.
Preheating of the batteries: Yes
Luggage compartment
As 5-seater: 545 litres
As 2-seater: 1670 litres
Tires
Dimension: 205/55R19 97T XL
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Continental VikingContact 7
Prices
Price: 419.810,- (87 kWh, Techno, paint surcharge)
About the car
Place of production: Douai, France
Color: Black
Equipment level: Techno
Owner: Volkswagen Møller Bilfinans
Model: 2025
Mileage: New
Source: Renault.no, Vegvesen.no
See
Electric garbage with an insanely long charging time. Renault could have avoided this piece of crap.