The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is a new family SUV that combines a spacious and versatile interior with a sleek and futuristic design. It is powered by a 100% electric motor and offers a choice of two battery sizes, delivering a range of up to 385 miles on a single charge. The Scenic E-Tech Electric also features a Google-based infotainment system, a Solarbay panoramic roof, and a host of advanced driver-assistance systems. It is one of the seven finalists for the prestigious Car of the Year 2024 award, which will be announced in March next year.
What makes the Scenic E-Tech Electric stand out?
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is the latest addition to Renault’s line-up of dedicated electric vehicles, following the Zoe and the Megane E-Tech Electric. It is based on the CMF-EV platform, which is shared with the Nissan Ariya and allows for a flat floor and a long wheelbase. This results in a generous amount of space for passengers and cargo, as well as a low center of gravity and a balanced weight distribution.
The Scenic E-Tech Electric has a distinctive exterior design that blends SUV elements with a low and aerodynamic profile. The front grille features a vertical Renault logo and a diamond motif, while the LED headlights and taillights are sharp and angular. The bodywork is curved and sculpted, with flush door handles and wheel arch cladding. The SUV rides on 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels and is available in six exterior colors, with a black or gray gloss roof for a two-tone effect.
The interior of the Scenic E-Tech Electric is designed to offer comfort, convenience, and connectivity for the whole family. The dashboard is dominated by two 12-inch screens: one for the digital driver display and one for the central touchscreen. The latter runs the OpenR Link system, which is powered by Google and offers access to various apps and services, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play, and Waze. The system also supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and over-the-air updates.
The cabin of the Scenic E-Tech Electric is equipped with numerous storage spaces totaling 38.7 liters. These include a large open center console, a glove box, door pockets, and cup holders. The rear seats have 27.8 cm of legroom and 88.4 cm of headroom and can be folded down to expand the boot space from 545 liters to 1670 liters. The rear armrest can also be folded down to reveal two smartphone or tablet stands, two USB ports, and two cup holders.
One of the most innovative features of the Scenic E-Tech Electric is the Solarbay roof, which is made from 50% recycled material and can be opacified by segments using an electric field. This allows the driver and passengers to adjust the level of light and heat entering the cabin, creating a personalized and comfortable atmosphere. The roof also has a positive impact on the vehicle’s energy efficiency, as it reduces the need for air conditioning and heating.
How does the Scenic E-Tech Electric perform?
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is available with two battery sizes: a 60 kWh pack that offers a range of over 260 miles and an 87 kWh pack that offers a range of over 385 miles. Both batteries are made from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells supplied by LG, and feature a modular design that allows for easy replacement and repair. The batteries also include a heat pump that optimizes the thermal management and preserves the range.
The Scenic E-Tech Electric has a single electric motor mounted on the front axle, which delivers either 170 hp and 280 Nm of torque or 220 hp and 300 Nm of torque, depending on the battery size. The motor is paired with a single-speed transmission and a front-wheel-drive system. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 9.3 seconds or 8.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 93 mph or 105 mph, respectively.
The Scenic E-Tech Electric can be charged using AC or DC power, with a maximum charging power of 22 kW or 130 kW for the 60 kWh battery and 22 kW or 150 kW for the 87 kWh battery. This means that the SUV can be fully charged in around 8 hours using a 7.4 kW wallbox or in around 30 minutes using a 150 kW fast charger. The SUV also supports bidirectional charging, which means that it can supply electricity to other devices or the grid when needed.
The Scenic E-Tech Electric offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. These modes adjust the power output, the throttle response, the steering feel, and the regenerative braking level. The SUV also has a B mode, which increases the regenerative braking and allows for one-pedal driving. The driver can monitor the energy consumption and the battery status on the driver display or the central touchscreen.
How safe is the Scenic E-Tech Electric?
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is equipped with a range of advanced driver-assistance systems that enhance the safety and convenience of the driver and the passengers. These include:
- Adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front and can stop and resume automatically in traffic
- Lane keeping assist, which helps the driver stay in the center of the lane and warns of any unintentional lane departure
- Blind spot warning, which alerts the driver of any vehicles in the blind spots and applies corrective steering if needed
- Rear cross traffic alert, which warns the driver of any approaching vehicles when reversing out of a parking spot
- 360-degree camera, which provides a bird’s-eye view of the surroundings and helps with parking and maneuvering
- Automatic emergency braking, which detects potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or animals and applies the brakes if necessary
- Traffic sign recognition, which reads the speed limits and other road signs and displays them on the driver display
- Driver attention alert, which monitors the driver’s behavior and warns of any signs of fatigue or distraction
- Safety score, which analyzes the speed, the trajectory, and the safety distance data and issues a driving score after each journey
- Safety coach, which notifies the driver of potential hazards along the route in real-time, based on surrounding data
The Scenic E-Tech Electric also features a high-strength steel body structure, eight airbags, Isofix anchors, and a pedestrian alert system.
Image gallery
How does the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric compare to its rivals?
The Scenic E-Tech Electric is a family SUV that competes with other electric models in the same segment, such as the Volkswagen ID.4, the Skoda Enyaq, the Toyota bZ4X, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Here is a comparison table that shows some of the key specifications and features of these vehicles:
| Model | Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric | Volkswagen ID.4 | Skoda Enyaq | Toyota bZ4X | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery size | 60 kWh or 87 kWh | 52 kWh or 77 kWh | 58 kWh or 77 kWh | 71.4 kWh | 58 kWh or 72.6 kWh |
| Range | 260 miles or 385 miles | 213 miles or 310 miles | 256 miles or 333 miles | 280 miles | 238 miles or 300 miles |
| Power | 170 hp or 220 hp | 146 hp or 201 hp | 177 hp or 201 hp | 201 hp | 168 hp or 214 hp |
| Torque | 280 Nm or 300 Nm | 220 Nm or 310 Nm | 310 Nm or 310 Nm | 280 Nm | 350 Nm or 605 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 9.3 seconds or 8.4 seconds | 10.9 seconds or 8.5 seconds | 8.7 seconds or 8.5 seconds | 8.5 seconds | 8.5 seconds or 5.2 seconds |
| Top speed | 93 mph or 105 mph | 99 mph or 99 mph | 99 mph or 99 mph | 112 mph | 115 mph or 115 mph |
| Charging power | 22 kW or 130 kW (AC) / 150 kW (DC) | 11 kW or 125 kW | 11 kW or 125 kW | 6.6 kW or 150 kW | 11 kW or 232 kW |
| Charging time | 8 hours or 30 minutes | 7.5 hours or 38 minutes | 7.5 hours or 38 minutes | 11 hours or 30 minutes | 6.5 hours or 18 minutes |
| Boot space | 545 liters | 543 liters | 585 liters | 466 liters | 527 liters |
| Infotainment | 12-inch touchscreen with Google | 10-inch or 12-inch touchscreen with VW OS | 13-inch touchscreen with Skoda OS | 12.3-inch touchscreen with Toyota OS | 12-inch touchscreen with Hyundai OS |
| Price | $47,000 or $54,000 | $39,995 or $44,495 | $39,000 or $43,000 | $42,000 | $45,000 or $50,000 |
As the table shows, the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric has some advantages over its rivals in terms of range, power, torque, charging power, and infotainment. It also has a unique Solarbay roof that can adjust the light and heat in the cabin, as well as a bidirectional charging capability that can supply electricity to other devices or the grid. However, the Scenic E-Tech Electric is also more expensive than most of its competitors, and has a lower top speed and a smaller boot space.
Image gallery
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is a finalist for the Car of the Year 2024 award, which is one of the most prestigious and influential awards in the automotive industry. The award is given by a jury of 60 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, who evaluate the vehicles based on design, innovation, performance, efficiency, safety, and value for money. The winner of the award will be announced on March 1, 2024, at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Scenic E-Tech Electric is a family SUV with a spacious and versatile interior, a sleek and futuristic design, and a 100% electric motor that delivers a long range and fast charging. It is one of the most advanced and innovative electric vehicles on the market and a strong contender for the Car of the Year 2024 award. If you are looking for a family-friendly, eco-friendly, and tech-savvy SUV, the Scenic E-Tech Electric might be the perfect choice for you.
- Add new comment
- 246 views
