New Renault Scenic E-Tech costs £4k less than entry-level Tesla Model Y!

• Same platform as Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya
• Class-leading 379 mile range
• Starts from £40,995

UK buyers can now place an order for the new Renault Scenic E-Tech, with the entry-level model costing £40,995. As expected, this price undercuts key rivals, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, the latter starting from £44,990. All UK Scenic E-Techs are fitted with the larger 87kWh battery option, resulting in a 379-mile official range – nearly 100 miles more than the entry-level Model Y.

What is the Renault Scenic E-Tech?

Forget the once-popular Renault Scenic people carrier of years gone by – the all-new Scenic E-Tech is now a much trendier mid-size SUV. It is the latest of the brand’s iconic nameplates to be reborn as a full EV, following in the footsteps of the Renault 5 and Renault Megane E-Tech. 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. 

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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 that Renault claims create a greater sense of width. Buyer can pay extra for a black roof to contrast the exterior colour, and the wheel arches are clad with black plastic 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 three 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 sports seats. Top of the range is the ‘Iconic’ model, adding unique alloy wheels, a ‘Solarbay’ panoramic sunroof, 360 degree parking camera and a Harman Kardon sound system.

It’s 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.

What does the Scenic E-Tech’s interior look like?

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.

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The standout interior feature of the Scenic E-Tech is the high-tech ‘Solarbay’ panoramic roof that can transition between transparent and 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.

There’s no leather option for the new Scenic, with the brand set to phase it out entirely by 2025. Instead the interior upholstery is 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.

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 makes 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.

What technical details do we know about the Scenic E-Tech?

While other markets have a choice of two battery options for the Scenic E-Tech, UK buyers are only offered the larger 87kWh battery. The combination of a big battery and a relatively low weight of 1,852kg means the Scenic E-Tech can travel up to 379 miles on a charge, further than many of its rivals. The battery provides power to a single 217bhp electric motor, driving the front wheels.

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Rapid-charging capability means a 15 to 80% 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.

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.

How much does the Scenic E-Tech cost and when can I order one?

The entry-level Techno trim starts from £40,995, whilst buyers wanting extra equipment can upgrade to the Esprit Alpine trim level, costing £43,495. The top-spec Scenic E-Tech Iconic costs £45,495 and comes loaded with practically every available option. UK order books are open now with first deliveries scheduled for May 2024.

A cheaper Scenic E-Tech with a 60kWh battery is available in other markets, however Renault is yet to confirm whether this model will make it to the UK.

What does it mean for car buyers?

We recently tested the Renault Scenic E-Tech and were thoroughly impressed by its interior comfort, excellent infotainment system and class-leading range. Now that Renault has revealed an enticing £41k starting price for the Scenic E-Tech, we think it could be an even more compelling choice for families looking to buy an electric family car.

The Scenic E-Tech joins the Megane E-Tech, the upcoming Renault 4 and 5 models, and the recently announced Twingo, as part of Renault’s plan to offer a wider 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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