A CLEVERER SCENIC ROUTE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

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

Ten Second Reviewword count: 80

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. Here, we're going to take a look at the usefully updated version of this model.

Backgroundword count: 191

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 Experienceword count: 293

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.

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