Renault Scenic E-Tech

The once genre-defining family car reinvents itself for the EV era We’ll delve into the various strengths, weaknesses and quirks of the new Renault Scenic in just a moment, but perhaps the biggest story here is one comprehended merely by looking at the car.You’ll notice that the fifth-generation Scenic on test here has a two-box design in the crossover style that’s now completely commonplace. This marks a seismic change in the Scenic philosophy, which for the previous four generations had been expressed with a one-box silhouette that the French call ‘monospace’.The earliest Scenic of the mid-1990s was the brainchild of Renault’s visionary chief designer, Patrick Le Quement, and was the original sensibly sized MPV. It was regarded at the time as a revelation in packaging and usability, and the fact that the Scenic has now fallen into line with everything else in terms of its packaging really does represent the final nail in the MPV coffin. Thrusting SUV-type cars are what sells these days.But even switching to a two-box design – even one as handsome as this new Scenic undeniably is – doesn’t guarantee success. The other big twist in the Scenic’s story is that the car is now solely electric-powered, and operating in the circa-£40,000, mid-size crossover EV sphere brings with it almost endless competition.This new Renault goes up against the Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID 4, Peugeot e-3008, the Hyundai Kona EV and lower-spec versions of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, as well as its mechanically related cousin, the Nissan Ariya. Compared with the original of 1996, this Scenic could hardly be less niche-busting.Renault would argue that it doesn’t need to be. The new car’s sharp exterior design, plus an interesting interior that makes laudable use of recycled materials, along with strong on-paper driving range and adequate performance, will make it the natural choice for many buyers, according to the French car maker. What we will now find out is whether that really is the case.The range at a glanceModelsPowerFrom60kWh Techno168bhp£37,44087kWh Techno215bhp£40,940The Scenic E-Tech range consists of two powertrain options – one with a 60kWh battery and a 168bhp motor, and another with an 87kWh battery and a 215bhp motor – and three trim levels. Techno is the entry point and the line-up rises through Esprit Alpine to top-ranking Iconic. Four-wheel drive is a possibility with this platform but it is not, says Renault, on the cards for now.