All-new £40k Renault Scenic E-Tech EV to challenge the electric family-car class

• Same platform as Megane E-Tech Electric and Nissan Ariya
• Safety noise developed by French Musician Jean-Michel Jarre
• Prices estimated to start around £40,000

Following in the footsteps of the Renault 5 and Renault Megane E-Tech, the Scenic E-Tech is the latest of the brand’s iconic nameplates to be reborn as a full EV. The electric family car features a striking new look which adopts the company’s latest design language, seen previously on its Scenic Vision concept car. Renault announced a starting price of around €40,000 in Europe, and it's expected to cost just under £40,000 when it reaches the UK. That price tag will undercut key competitors such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

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The Scenic E-Tech gets a wide, commanding stance with a front end that features sleek, thin aggressive-looking headlights and vertical lighting elements flanking either end. It also gets an intricate grille made up of individual rhombi and octagonal honeycomb-like shapes for an elegant, futuristic look.

The rear of the car gets a pair of wishbone-shaped taillights spaced far apart to create a greater sense of width, Renault says. The model featured in the latest pictures gets a black roof contrasting with the white exterior colour and wheel arch cladding on the sides for added protection in urban environments.

One particularly notable design touch is the unique alloy wheels which put a modern twist on Renault wheel designs of old. The original Renault Espace featured a similar design with angular slats, which appears to be an inspiration here on the new Scenic E-Tech.

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The Scenic E-Tech will initially be offered in two trim levels. Techno is the cheaper of the two options, or buyers can upgrade to the Esprit Alpine trim level which brings 20-inch wheels, different upholstery and a Harman Kardon sound system. It will be available in Flame Red, Midnight Blue, Starry Black, Shale Grey Glossy and Shale Grey Satin and Pearl White colours. Depending on the trim, the roof can be had in a different colour to the body, with a choice between Starry Black or Shale Grey Glossy.

2024 Renault Scenic Interior

On the inside, the Scenic E-Tech gets a tall driving position with the centre console and dash angled towards the driver. Renault’s latest OpenR digital cockpit consists of a 12.3-inch driver’s digital display and 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over 50 compatible apps including Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music and Waze.

The Scenic E-Tech also gets a high-tech Solarbay panoramic roof which can go opaque at the touch of a button, one section at a time. Renault is also keen to point out its rear armrest, which offers 3.6 litres of storage, two cupholders, and fold-out stands to help prop up smartphone or tablet screens more comfortably. There are also two integrated USB-C outlets to keep your devices charged.

Renault has confirmed no leather will be available for the new Scenic, with the brand set to phase it out entirely by 2025. Instead the interior upholstery will be replaced with grained coated fabric which carries a smaller carbon footprint. Renault says 24% of the new Scenic E-Tech’s materials will come from recycled sources.

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Interior space is a priority on the new Scenic E-Tech, with Renault giving the car a long 2.78-metre wheelbase to improve practicality. There appears to be plenty of leg room in the rear and the completely flat floor will make the Scenic E-Tech more spacious than ever. The boot offers 545 litres of space, with up to 1,670 with the rear seats folded down. There’s even a ski hatch between the rear seats for transporting longer items. Plenty of storage solutions can be found about the cabin, adding up to an extra 38.7 litres.

2024 Renault Scenic E-Tech powertrains

The Scenic E-Tech comes with a choice of powertrains – both use a single electric motor with either 168bhp or 217bhp. Battery options include a 60kWh unit with an official range of 261 miles and a larger 87kWh version giving up to 385 miles onto a charge.

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Rapid charging capability means a 15 to 30% top up could take just around 30 minutes at a compatible public charger, while AC three-phase charging capability up to 22kW is also included. There’s an onboard heat pump which helps to maximise range in colder conditions by keeping the battery at optimum operating temperatures – this will even pre-condition the battery when it sees you’re approaching a charging station through the sat nav to enable faster and more efficient charging.

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Renault has packed the Scenic E-Tech with lots of safety tech, as the SUV boasts over 30 driver assistance and safety systems. One notable feature is the Vehicle Sounds for Pedestrians exterior noise that has been developed in collaboration with French musician Jean-Michel Jarre to warn pedestrians when the car is driving at under 18mph.

The Scenic E-Tech will join the Megane E-Tech, the upcoming Renault 4 and 5 models, as well as the recently announced Twingo, widening Renault’s lineup of EVs. Sister-company Ampere – the company responsible for the design and engineering behind Renault’s latest electric models – hopes to achieve EV sales of 300,000 per year by 2025, and up to 1,000,000 by 2031.

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