RENAULT SCENIC E-TECH ELECTRIC ESTATE

Renault's Scenic E-Tech electric continues to try and redefine the common family car. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the updated version.

Background

Back in 2023 at this model's introduction, we were told by Renault that the Scenic E-Tech electric was 'a new form of family vehicle'. It's originating Scenic model line certainly was, on sale between 1996 and 2022 with a name derived from an ambitious acronym - 'Safety Concept Embodied in a New Innovative Car'. Over 53 million original Scenics were sold, with over 2 million still on the road. But those were compact MPVs - basically variations of the Megane family hatch, with extra space and versatility This current-era full-battery Scenic E-Tech electric is the same - but different. Once more, it's a swollen version of an accompanying Megane, the Megane E-Tech electric, with which it shares its CMF-EV platform. But this time, the Scenic isn't really an MPV. Perhaps more notably, it isn't really an SUV or Crossover either, significant because that's what nearly all its lower-mid-sized EV Crossover rivals are trying to be. Instead, it's something in between People Carrier, family hatch and SUV. An indecisive or potentially innovative solution? Let's take a closer look at this car in the usefully updated form that was introduced in Autumn 2026.

Driving Experience

As before (and as has always been the case with any generation of Scenic), all the mechanicals here are shared with the Renault Megane hatch. Which in this case means that this Scenic E-Tech can now benefit from that model's lately improved 89kWh lithium-ion NMC 'long range' battery, with its much improved EV mileage. Specifically here, that means up to 392 miles (11 more than the pre-facelift model). Another change lies with the addition of 'Smart Mode', a set-up that automatically adapts the car's 'Multi-Sense' driving mode system according to the way the vehicle is being driven. So you can leave the car to do its thing; or manually select a mode - choose from 'Comfort', 'Eco' and 'Perso' for normal motoring; or 'Sport' if you want to try and replicate the quoted performance figures - 0-62mph in 7.9s en route to 106mph. The 220hp front-mounted motor bolted to the CMF-EV platform is much the same as before, producing 300Nm of torque. It's a front-mounted motor; unlike most of its rivals, this Renault can't be had in any kind of dual motor form. Renault's carried over the same quick darty steering ratio from the Megane E-Tech, which should make the car feel more agile than its family remit might suggest. Considerable efforts have been put into managing body roll. And Renault claims the multi-link rear axle will provide a good compromise between comfort and dynamics. As you might expect, there's a variable regenerative braking system - there are four selectable levels, from zero to 3, with the fiercest setting providing the 'one-pedal' feel that'll mean you hardly ever have to use the brake pedal to slow off-throttle. Finally, the usual EV external pedestrian warning sound has been curated by French composer Jean-Michel Jarre.

Design and Build

You'd have to know the Scenic E-Tech very well indeed to recognise the visual changes made to this updated model. The front and rear 'blade' finishes have been smartened up. And there are restyled designs for the big 19 and 20-inch alloy wheels; that's about it. As before, the design is a blend of different genres. Because the Scenic E-Tech has a long bonnet and lacks high wheel gaps, you can see it's deliberately trying not to be an SUV; more of a kind of cross between hatchback and SUV, but with the interior space of an MPV, thanks to a longer wheelbase length than most models of this size. The styling, from ex-Renault designer Gilles Vidal, draws on the company's 'Visual language'. That means curvy bodywork, high-tech design elements and sharp character lines. There's a profile reference to the monobox shape of the original Nineties Scenic. But a much more modern look, particularly at the front where the nose sees a vertical Renault logo set a little back from a panel featuring a diamond motif. Size-wise, there's almost 4.5-metres of length but just 1.57-metres of height, with a wheel-at-each-corner stance and short overhangs. Finishing touches include flush-fitting door handles, specially designed door mirrors and a sculpted rear spoiler. Take a seat behind the wheel and the cabin updates made to this facelifted model are even more subtle than those outside. The front seats are now more supportive, there's now a cooled wireless 'phone charging mat on all models and base 'techno' spec now feels a bit plusher. The main change though is that Google Gemini AI voice control system has been added into the 12-inch portrait-style 'openR link' centre screen, which as before has Google services built in. Gemini allows for a more conversational interaction with the car. Otherwise, everything's as before, so there's a 12.3-inch instrument display with a speed line that changes colour according to speed and power demand. The cockpit area is 26% fashioned from recycled plastic, over 80% of the dashboard materials are recycled and leather has been banished. This model's MPV roots are referenced by the prodigious levels of cabin storage - there's 38.7-litres of it, including a big glovebox, deep door bins, an enormous compartment under the front armrest and further space under the centre screen. What will really appeal to families though, is the amount of space in the rear, where thanks to the 2,784mm wheelbase, there's 278mm of legroom and a 884mm of head space. Renault has included what it calls an 'ingenious' rear armrest, which has 3.6-litres of storage space, two cup holders, a pair of USB-C ports and fold-out stands that enable occupants to watch screens more comfortably. Another clever touch is the optional 'Solarbay' panoramic roof, which uses electrified Polymer Disposed Liquid Crystals that can opacify one segment of the glass at a time, allowing different light levels in different parts of the car. Out back, there's a 545-litre boot that can be extended with a ski hatch. With the seats folded, there's 1,670-litres of space.

Market and Model

As before, the Scenic E-Tech qualifies for the top £3,750 level of government Electric Car Grant. And after that's deducted, prices start from just over £33,000 with base 'techno' spec. Find another £3,000 and there's plusher 'techno esprit Alpine' trim; and for just over £38,000 after grant deduction, you can have top 'iconic esprit Alpine' trim. There's plenty of standard kit. Even base 'techno' trim gets you 19-inch 'cinetic' alloy wheels, the 'openR link with Google built-in' infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, active driver assist, heated front seats and steering wheel, a powered tailgate and ventilated wireless charger. Mid-level 'techno esprit Alpine' trim adds distinctive esprit Alpine styling, 20-inch 'speedway' alloy wheels and electrically adjustable front seats with a driver massage function. At the top of the line-up, the 'iconic esprit Alpine' version adds further premium equipment including the Solarbay opacifying panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 360-degree around view 3D camera, a smart rear-view mirror and hands-free parking. As part of this facelift, further updates have been made to Scenic E-Tech electric's driver assistance systems, with active driver assist, predictive eco driving assistance, blind spot warning, rear automatic emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert available on all models.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the 392 EV mileage range figure in our 'Driving' section: bear in mind that this applies only to base 'techno' trim. The mid-level 'techno esprit Alpine' variant offers 385 miles, while the top 'iconic esprit Alpine' version has 382 miles. To achieve these figures, you're going to need to make the most of the four-level regenerative braking system, adjusting the set-up using the paddles provided behind the steering wheel. At least the standard heat pump should mean that cold weather shouldn't affect range too much. For this update, Renault has worked on DC charging speed. It's rated at up to 150kW, which enables a 15-80% charge in 28 minutes, a reduction in charging time of 24% compared with the previous model. And the E-Tech system uses Google Maps to automatically begin pre-conditioning the battery when the car is nearing charging points selected in the app. That will mean the battery is then at a perfect temperature on arrival, which will allow you to charge it faster and more efficiently. The Google-based journey planner built into the system can even consider wind direction and speed to predict energy consumption. When you park up to charge, the powered seats can shift into a relaxed position and perform massages, while the ambient lighting, USB chargers, infotainment and glass roof remain powered for 45 minutes. What about charging at home? Well an 11kW AC onboard charger remains standard, together with battery pre-conditioning for DC charging. Expect the AC charging times to be much as before. Which means that with a 7.4kW home wallbox and a single-phase supply, you'll need about 9 hours and 15 minutes for a full charge, a figure you can reduce to around 6 hours 30 minutes with an 11kW three-phase supply.

Summary

Instead of slavishly following the Crossover SUV genre championed by virtually all of its lower-mid-sized EV family rivals, the Scenic E-Tech electric continues to go its own way - and is all the better for it. Nothing's too radical as part of this mid-term update but the new NMC battery gives a slight efficiency boost, the Smart Mode drive system's worth having and the Gemini AI voice control system makes the infotainment set-up more intuitive. As before, this Scenic also has some genuinely clever design innovations - like the 'Solarbay' roof and the multi-purpose rear armrest. And it's all presented with fashionable exterior packaging that we think the market will like. Will that market like this car enough to ignore all the many rivals at this price point? The brand talks of positioning the Scenic E-Tech Electric in the vanguard of what it calls 'phase 2' of the battery car revolution: 'EV adoption for the masses'. That won't happen with a car of this price, but the company's secondary objective - 'to make a car that doesn't force people into compromising' - looks as if it may have been met here. And in that respect at least, this model is a true Scenic.