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By Jonathan Crouch

Renault's Scenic E-Tech Electric aims to redefine the common family car. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 65

As thirty years ago, today we have a Renault Scenic that claims to re-invent what a family car ought to be. Today's Scenic E-Tech Electric isn't so much of an MPV. Instead, it's an EV less restricted by the shackles of the Crossover genre pursued by its rivals, but with the fashion sense, the practicality and the price tag to appeal to a mass market.

Backgroundword count: 169

Is this Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric 'a new form of family vehicle', as its maker claims? 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 new-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.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 281

The original Nineties Scenic was actually first called the 'Megane Scenic', a reference to the fact that all its mechanicals were shared with that Renault hatch. As is largely the case here. Predictably, the Scenic E-Tech Electric uses the same CMF-EV platform as its Megane E-Tech stablemate (and the Nissan Ariya). Other markets get a base 'Standard Range' version with the same 60kWh battery and 167bhp front-mounted motor combination we're now used to from the equivalent Megane, giving a range of 261 miles. The UK market is mainly offered the 'Long Range' version that uses a large 87kWh battery, but there's also a base 'Comfort Range' version available at the foot of the line-up. Both variants use a 220hp motor, just one of them placed at the front. This provides for up to 379 miles for the 'Long Range' models (or up to 260 miles with the base 'Comfort Range' variant). Performance figures see the 'Long Range' version accelerate to 62mph in 8.4s but its top speed is limited to 105mph. 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.

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