The original Scenic model line was available from 1996 to 2022 and was named after an ambitious acronym: 'Safety Concept Embodied in a New Innovative Car.' Often characterised as variations of the Megane family hatch but with added space, the Scenic was a popular choice.

Alongside the Megane E-Tech Electric, it shares its CMF-EV platform, the Scenic has also been redesigned. following the introduction of the Megane E-Tech, the brands first new all electric car for over a decade, the Scenic launched in 2023.

For the Techno, Esprit Alpine, and Iconic trims, Each model is equipped with an all-electric powertrain featuring a compact 87kWh battery and a 220hp motor, which can achieve approximately 370 miles on the WLTP cycle. In contrast, the Comfort model comes with a 60kWh battery, offering a range of up to 260 miles WLTP. A heat pump is standard helping to recover heat and energy that would otherwise be wasted.

In line with the original acronym that begins with SAFETY, the Scenic E-Tech, equipped with standard features, received a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP Safety Ratings. It scored 88% for adult occupants, 89% for child occupants, 77% for vulnerable road users, and 85% for safety assist.

Unfortunately the Scenic E-Tech has not yet been rated by Green NCAP. However, we anticipate a comparable score to the recently evaluated Megane E-Tech.

 

The Scenic E-Tech has won many awards, including

Performance

For the Comfort specification, the Scenic provides 170 brake horsepower, achieving 0-62 mph in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph.

The E-Sprit Alpine, Techno and Iconic variants provide 217 bhp and 300 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 106 mph.

 

Design

Six colour options are offered: Flame Red, Midnight Blue, Diamond Black, Shadow Grey, matte Shadow Grey (exclusive to the Esprit Alpine trim), and Arctic White. Depending on the trim level, the roof and door pillars can be finished in a contrasting Diamond Black.

The vehicle prominently highlights its commitment to sustainability, utilising recycled aluminum and various recycled plastics in its construction. Both the bonnet and doors are made from up to 80% recycled aluminum. The steering wheel cover features 51% bio-sourced materials, comprising 25% PVC derived from ricin oil and 26% cotton. The cockpit is designed with 26% recycled plastic, while the door panel storage bins are made from 45% recycled fiber. Additionally, the floor mats consist of 54% recycled plastic bottles, and the seat upholstery in the Techno and Esprit Alpine trims is crafted from 100% recycled fabric.

The iconic version uses 87% recycled materials. The Solarbay opacifying panoramic roof is made from recycled glass, with 50% sourced from waste generated during plate and automotive glass production, and 90% of it remains recyclable at the end of its lifecycle.

Overall, up to 24% of the Scenic E-Tech 100% electric vehicle’s materials are recycled, and 90% of its mass, including the battery, is recyclable.

 

Size and Space

The Renault Scenic, which is larger than the Megane, is similar in size to the Kia Niro EV and Volvo C40, while being slightly smaller than a Ford Explorer. It boasts a boot capacity of 545 liters, which expands to 1,670 liters when the seats are folded down.

Dimensions

Driving the Scenic was a remarkably comfortable. The driver's seat was described as 'The most comfortable seat I've ever sat in' by one member of the team. The driving seat offers exceptional support while being spacious and easily adjustable. The massage feature is a nice addition, subtle but enjoyable. There was ample space for the driver, and the left armrest was large enough for both the driver and passenger to use. Additionally, the steering wheel was easy to adjust, with a good range of motion up and down, allowing each driver to find their ideal driving position.

 

We tested the Scenic over various journeys, from our usual commutes, through to a long motorway drive into London. It’s easy to drive, and switching between modes was done at the click of the Multi-Sense button. The ride was smooth, with bumps and poor road surfaces absorbed well.
 

The steering was light and remarkably responsive; even slight adjustments to the steering wheel made a noticeable impact. We found that the brakes were sharp, but acceleration felt slightly delayed, and we struggled to push above 70mph, even reaching 71 / 72mph to over take in the outside lane we felt resistance.

 

The traditional interior mirror has been replaced by a 'Smart rear-view mirror,' which displays a live image from a rear camera on the screen. This feature requires some adjustment, at night we found the image appeared somewhat dazzled or distorted by headlights and while reversing, the view was quite zoomed in, which felt unnatural and was difficult to get used to.

 

The reverse guidance camera and 360-degree view could use some enhancements, yet they effectively assist in manoeuvring into tight spots. The hands-free parking feature, which comes standard on the Iconic trim, performed quite well.

We encountered challenges with efficiency, which, considering this is a demo car driven by various individuals with different driving styles, isn't surprising. However, we believe that over the course of a week, we could have easily surpassed the 2.9 kWh we left the Renault with. The official WLTP range is 369 miles, and we returned the Renault with 85% battery, which equated to roughly 190 miles.

The return journey to London was completed on a single charge, coming close to the initial 240 miles (130 miles shy of WLTP), as we covered a total distance of 230 miles. When the battery reached 5% charge, instead of displaying the remaining mileage, which would have boosted driver confidence, the numbers went blank. We felt this could easily display remaining mileage to help alleviate range anxiety for drivers.