Road Tested By Hugh Maguire.
Many will remember the game changer the original Renault Scenic became. It was after all a completely new car in a then completely new class namely a MPV (multipurpose vehicle). The original Scenic became a best seller as it offered a winning combination of space and practicality. Ideal family transport. Over the decades many other manufacturers tried to catch up with their own MPV’s. However these days the buzz word is SUV not MPV and manufacturers are falling over themselves to offer a variety of compact, mid size and large SUV’s as it seems there is a never ending appetite for these vehicles among buyers.
It may then come as no surprise to discover that Renault’s latest Scenic is indeed an SUV and its fully electric. With either good foresight or good luck Renault have two steams of model ranges with plenty of petrol and petrol hybrid cars a decision that now looks to be very wise in the face of plummeting Global EV sales and here in Ireland down 25.3% year to date (September 9th 2024 ) in comparison to 2023.
Finally it seems people are realising EV’s are not the future of motoring, They can of course be part of that future but they are not and will not be the silver bullet many governments have made them out to be and indeed forced people to adopt. Other technologies will play their part such as hydrogen and renewable fuels.
So to the new Renault Scenic EV. Prices Start at €39,995 for the entry level Evolution model. The version on test here this weeks is the Iconic model.
So how does it look?
Very well actually. I really like the smart modern design of the new Scenic. It really looks suitably contemporary without being too extreme. Overall then first impressions of this new Scenic are very good indeed!
What’s it like inside?
The initial good feelings about the exterior continue on slipping inside this beautifully finished and well designed cabin. Its bright, airy, and very comfortable. The driving position is perfect and while I am no fan of the current trend for huge digital displays Renault have however designed theirs in such a way that it all looks nicely integrated into the dashboard design. Theres a row of real buttons for climate functions too! Furthermore the multimedia graphics are excellent as is the functionality with Google maps and Google Assistant built-in.
The level of standard kit is truly impressive, highlights of options fitted to my test car included a smart (camera) rear view mirror, Harmon Kardon sound system, 360 degree surround view camera and some clever tech such as the “Solarbay” photo chromatic panoramic roof which can go from clear to opaque at the touch of a switch to name but a few.
Accomadation is excellent both front and rear and the boot is surprisingly roomy too.
What is under the bonnet?
An electric motor powering the front wheels fed by an 87kWh battery developing 220bhp. Renault claim a range of some 625km from this larger battery version but in reality I achieved closer to 450km before needing to re charge. Thats pretty good to be fair. Also worth noting is that this Scenic EV manages to put quite a bit of range back into the battery from regenerative braking. Impressively so especially if driving around town or when braking is needed.
There are driving modes too including sport and paddles to allow drivers decide on the ament of regen. All very impressive!
So how does it drive?
Smoothly and quietly though there s a bit more tyre roar than I would have expected on coarse tarmac. It handles well and though overall the ride is quite good it disappoints on less smooth roads proving jittery and too firm. This is an issue with many EV’s as the suspension has to be firm enough to cope with the massive weight.
Verdict
If you must have an EV then I can strongly recommend the new Scenic. It really is a very well rounded package. The Iconic model tested costs €56,670.