Renault Scenic review

Brands live or die by moving with the times and reacting to demand – and the team behind the Renault Scenic appears to have done just that.

You see, while the Scenic was historically an unfashionable MPV shaped a bit like a van, this latest version has morphed into an electric SUV. It offers a higher driving position than a regular hatchback along with chunkier styling.

The Scenic also continues the tradition of being a more practical alternative to the Renault Megane (which is now an electric car) and it’s powered by a battery that offers an impressively long range. Earlier versions were available with a choice of two batteries but since recent price cuts all Scenics get the larger of the two battery sizes.

Renault Scenic E-Tech video review

The Renault Scenic is a bit smaller and cheaper than a Kia EV6 or Tesla Model Y but slightly larger than the Kia Niro EV. So is it the perfect compromise for you ir are there better electric SUVs available for the money? Let's find out...

With only one power output and battery size available, it’s easy to decide which Renault Scenic is for you.

With a 215bhp electric motor, it accelerated from 0-60mph in a fairly underwhelming 8.6 seconds when we timed it. That means it’s not as nippy as an MG S5 Trophy Long Range, Skoda Elroq 60 or Tesla Model Y but there’s still plenty of punch to overtake and get up to motorway speeds quickly.

Arguably more important is how far an electric car can travel between charges, and in this department the Scenic has some more impressive numbers.

All versions are named Long Range and come with an 87kWh battery. That’s enough for an official range of up to 381 miles in the entry-level trim, and slightly less in versions with more equipment fitted.

That beats any Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 or Skoda Elroq but can't quite match the Model Y Long Range RWD (387 miles).

Mind you, you’re unlikely to get that kind of range in real-world driving. When we tested it in warm summer weather the Scenic returned average efficiency of 3.1 miles per kWh, giving it a theoretical maximum range of 270 miles. 

The Scenic’s suspension has been tuned for comfort rather than agility, and it does a pretty good job of soaking up bumps and remaining calm most of the time.

It’s noticeably more supple than the Model Y and even edges the EV6. The only similarly priced electric SUV that betters the Scenic for ride comfort is the Elroq.

You can adjust the weight of the steering by switching between the various driving modes but even in Sport mode the steering is fairly light. In an ideal world we’d like a little more resistance but it is at least accurate, allowing you to place the nose of the car where you want it.

That said, the Scenic isn’t really the kind of car you’ll be taking for a weekend blast, and with plenty of body lean when cornering and moderate levels of grip, it’s best enjoyed at a relaxed pace.

When you accelerate hard out of corners, there's noticeable torque steer (the steering wheel tugs left or right in your hand unexpectedly). That's because unlike most rivals, the Scenic has front-wheel drive rather than rear. There's no four-wheel-drive option.

As for refinement, the Scenic is noticeably quieter at a 70mph cruise than the EV6 and Model Y thanks to low levels of tyre and suspension noise. You can hear some wind noise on the motorway though.

The worst thing about the way the Scenic drives is its brake pedal. Due to poor tuning of the regenerative braking system there’s a spongy, inconsistent feel to the pedal, which makes it difficult to come to a stop smoothly, especially when driving around town. The EV6 and Model Y have much firmer, more consistent pedals that inspire more confidence.

You can adjust the strength of the regenerative braking using paddles on the back of the steering wheel, and at least in its strongest setting you don’t have to rely on the brake pedal as often, although there's no one-pedal driving mode.

"It’s almost refreshing to get into a car like the Scenic that’s not trying to be sporty at all. It’s clearly aimed at being comfortable and I like that it encourages you to take it easy." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

You sit higher up in the Renault Scenic than in the relatively low-slung Kia EV6 but not quite as high as you do in a Tesla Model Y. Even so, you have a clear view over the low dashboard and the bonnet. The chunky windscreen pillars hamper your view a little at junctions and roundabouts.

The wide rear pillars and small rear windscreen compromise rear visibility but you do get front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera to help out during low-speed manoeuvres. Top-spec Iconic trim adds a 360-degree camera and a digital rear-view mirror to improve rear visibility when your view is blocked by passengers' heads or luggage.

Finding a comfortable driving position is very straightforward thanks to plenty of height and reach adjustment for the steering wheel and seat. All trim levels come with electric lumbar adjustment while top-spec Iconic trim comes with full electric seat adjustment so you can fine-tune your position even more easily. Iconic also adds a massage function.

There are three stalks behind the steering wheel on the right-hand side – one that acts as the gear selector, another to operate the windscreen wipers and a third for controlling the stereo. The set-up takes a bit of time to get used to, with some of our testers finding it easier than others.

Also not ideal for everyone is the position of the 12.3in digital driver's display. Depending on your height and driving position you might well find that the rim of the steering wheel obscures a lot of the display, including the speedo.

In the middle of the dashboard there's a portrait-oriented 12in infotainment touchscreen. It's fairly low down on the dash but is tilted towards the driver to make it easier to see and responds swiftly to your prods.

You get plenty of features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. The Google-based operating system features a great voice-control function and you get a sat-nav app powered by Google Maps. Range-topping Iconic trim includes a Harman Kardon sound system that provides plenty of punch and good quality audio.

You control most functions, including the heated seats, through the touchscreen, but there are some physical controls to adjust the air-conditioning fan speed and temperature really easily on the move. You don't get those in a Model Y.

What about interior quality? Well, you’ll find plenty of padded fabric and faux-leather on the Scenic's dashboard and doors, with fabric also lining the windscreen pillars and roof. There are hard and scratchy plastics in a few areas but less overall than in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6. The Model Y's interior features some plusher materials but doesn't feel any better made.

Iconic trim Scenics get a panoramic glass sunroof with an integrated tint called Solarbay, which allows you to switch from a see-through glass roof to an opaque one at the touch of a button. You can even choose which sections of the roof to tint so, for example, you can keep children in the back shaded from bright sunlight while letting the sun into the front seat area.

"Fancy a bit of colour inside? I quite like the blue carpet and door trim finishers fitted in higher-spec Alpine trims. I can understand if buyers prefer the more understated Techno version though. " – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

The Renault Scenic is focused on serving families, so practicality is obviously a big thing. To that end, there’s loads of space in the front for two six-footers, with plenty of elbow room and lots of leg room to stretch out.

Iconic trim's panoramic roof doesn’t eat into head room because its electronically controlled sun tint removes the need for a sliding blind.

Head room in the back of the Scenic is generous, even for someone sitting in the slightly raised middle seat. There’s lots of leg room so rear-seat passengers can really stretch out. Overall, there’s a bit more  room in both respects when compared with an EV6 and Model Y.

The only slight disappointment is that – unlike in the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y – the Scenic’s rear seats don’t recline for that extra bit of comfort. You can't slide them back and forth like you can in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 either.

There’s a huge amount of storage space up front, including door bins that can each take a large bottle of water, a wireless phone-charging tray below the infotainment screem and a deep storage cubby under the centre armrest.

You also get a long storage tray on the lower centre console with two movable dividers that slot into various places. There’s only one integrated cupholder, and while you can create another one with the dividers they can be quite fiddly to use.

Rear-seat passengers get map pockets and two smaller pockets for phones and devices on the backs of the front seats.

The long, fold-down centre armrest provides lidded storage for your devices and has two cupholders. It has two arms that swivel out and have integrated slots designed to hold a device upright so, for example, passengers can watch a film.

The Scenic has a 545-litre boot, which is 105 litres more boot space than in a Renault Megane. That also makes it slightly larger than the boot in an Ioniq 5 or EV6 and allows you to slot up to seven carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf with space left over for a soft bag. That's not bad, although the Model Y can carry nine carry-on cases in its boot and one under the bonnet.

There's quite a drop from the Scenic's boot entrance down to the boot floor, which isn't ideal for loading and unloading, but at least the load area is uniform in shape and the height-adjustable boot floor gives you plenty of space to hide your charging cables out of sight. Unlike the Ioniq 5 and Model Y, the Scenic doesn’t have a front boot.

For the times when you need more space, the Scenic’s rear seatback can be folded down in a 40/20/40 split. The Model Y offers the same flexibility while the Skoda Elroq has a 60/40 split with a ski hatch in the middle of the seat backs.

"There’s plenty of room for all 5ft 11in of me in the Scenic's back seats, and I appreciate the seat base being longer and more supportive than the one in a Model Y." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

The entry-level Renault Scenic Techno has an attractive list price that undercuts many rivals', including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y. The Skoda Elroq is available for less but the version that matches the Scenic's spec most closely – the 85 SE L – costs slightly more.

The Scenic commands the same low BIK tax rate as other electric cars and electric SUVs but its lower list price should mean it works out a little cheaper each month as a company car than many alternatives.

The Scenic is expected to lose its value more slowly than an equivalent Ioniq 5, EV6 or Enyaq, and is on a par with the Model Y for depreciation. That should help to reduce the monthly costs for those buying on PCP finance.

The Scenic can accept a maximum charging rate of up to 150kW – slightly slower than most versions of the Elroq, Enyaq and Volkswagen ID 4 and significantly slower than any Ioniq 5 or EV6. A 10-80% top-up will take around 40 minutes in ideal conditions.

Our favourite trim – entry-level Techno – comes with 19in alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, ambient lighting and an EV heat pump.

Mid-level Techno Esprit Alpine gets larger 20in alloy wheels and sports front seats. It also has blue interior highlights on the carpet, storage compartments and trim finishers.

The flagship Iconic Esprit Alpine trim adds a panoramic glass roof, parking assist, a massaging driver’s seat and a Harman Kardon sound system upgrade.

We’ll have to wait a while before the latest Scenic features in our What Car? Reliability Survey but we can tell you that Renault finished ninth out of 31 brands in the 2024 manufacturer league table. That's a big improvement from the previous year and places it just above Kia and Hyundai.

Renault gives you a three-year warranty as standard, with unlimited mileage for the first 24 months and a cap of 100,000 miles thereafter. That’s fairly par for the course and doesn’t match Hyundai’s five-year cover or Kia’s seven-year warranty. The main drive battery is covered for eight years.

The Scenic was awarded the full five stars for safety when it was tested by Euro NCAP. All versions come with automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic-sign recognition as standard.

"For private buyers, I’d say it’s best to avoid the top-of-the-range Scenic Iconic Esprit Alpine, which is the only version with a list price over the £40,000 luxury car tax threshold." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

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