The Scenic nameplate dates back to the late 1990s, and was something of a trailblazer for Renault in the people-carrier space. It was also a stalwart of the school runs as a kid throughout the 2000s. Now in the driver seat of a Scenic, it’s safe to say the latest iteration of the model has come a long way from the previous versions that ferried me to and from school.
Recently crowned 2025 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental Tyres, as well as being voted European Car of the Year 2024 last February, the new Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is truly a winner.
First of all, it’s a fantastic car to live with, being practical and spacious in equal measure. The boot is a huge 545-litres before adjusting the rear seats, while the vertical 12.3-inch centre touchscreen offers the same ease of use as an iPhone. With its long wheelbase (2.78 m), rear passengers have 278 mm of knee room for extra comfort. They also benefit from a generous 884 mm of head room. An innovative Solarbay opacifying sunroof and ‘ingenious’ rear armrest complete the cabin’s impressive package.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric has a starting price of €39,995 (after the SEAI grant) for the 60 kWh 170hp/125kW ‘Evolution’ trim model. There are three other trim levels: ‘Techno’ (€41,995 or €48,995), ‘Esprit Alpine’ (€51,995) and ‘Iconic’ (€54,795) – which I tested. This 87 kWh 220hp/160kW long range model has a WLTP range of up to 625km and up to 22kW AC charging and 150kW DC charging. Unlike some other EVs on the market, the stated range from the new Scenic E-Tech felt very honest at all times, with comforts such as heated seats and steering wheel not eating away at my remaining range.
Battery pre-conditioning is another feature of the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric. The system uses Google Maps to automatically start pre-conditioning the battery when the car is nearing pre-selected charging points. The battery is therefore at an ideal temperature on arrival, so you can charge it faster and/or more.
Renault’s new model also has four levels of regenerative braking. In ‘Drive’ mode, it kicks in when you take your foot off the accelerator, turning the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electric energy, which is then stored in the battery. The electric motor doubles as a generator when the braking system is used to harvest energy.
Depending on the type of road, you can choose any of the four levels using two paddles behind the steering wheel, from zero (no regeneration, the car keeps on moving at the same speed when you ease pressure on the accelerator, like when on a motorway) to three (maximum regeneration, like when on city roads, where the motor handles most of the braking when you take your foot off the accelerator, so you need to step on the brake pedal only for a complete stop).
Renault feels to be one of the most diverse brands in Europe at present. Having tested a total of six different Renault models in 2024, I can confidently stand over this claim.
