New Renault Scenic 100% Electric Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

Back in the dim and distant past in the age before SUVs and crossovers (which is to say the mid-1990s) cars like the original Renault Scenic and Ford C-Max were the default choice for young families. Known as MPVs or people carriers, their tall, boxy shapes meant tons of flexible interior space, Renault in particular mastering the integration of clever storage and other useful features to make life with a growing family that bit easier.
Renault hopes to revive that spirit, and name, with this all-new Scenic 100% Electric, combining the previous sensible pants practicality with a dose of modern-day crossover style and – clue in the name – pure electric power. It’s already taking orders for the new model - here's what you need to know. • The new Scenic 100% Electric builds on the success of the existing Megane E-Tech 100% Electric and, using the same foundations and tech, delivers the same vibe in a larger and more practical package sharing much with the related Nissan Ariya and aimed straight at cars like the VW ID.4, related Skoda Enyaq and many others in this critical corner of the market • Google-powered infotainment system uses a portrait-oriented 12-inch screen in the centre, combined with a digital instrument display and wireless connection/charging for your phone – on top models there’s a nifty glass roof with liquid crystal sections you can blank off at the touch of a button • While there’s also a lower powered version with a smaller battery the Scenic range in the UK is all built around the same 87kWh battery and 217 horsepower combination, the impressive sounding official range just shy of 380 miles • You can order a new Scenic now, with first deliveries due in the spring • Bottom-line price for the new Scenic is £40,995, Renault offering a five-year PCP package at launch with monthly payments under £500 with a deposit of just over £5,000

While there’s nothing especially radical about the Scenic’s SUV silhouette the devil is in the details, and Renault’s successful reboot of its corporate look has been carried off with some panache. The reimagined diamond logo sits loud and proud at the centre of the grille, with smaller illuminated details linking this to the lights for a distinctive ‘face’ that’s all Renault. Big wheels give it the stance modern drivers love, but unlike many SUV rivals this is carried off without costing too much in interior space and there’s a massive boot that family buyers will appreciate. At launch there are three model lines, all based around the same battery and motor combo, the top of the range one getting the fancy glass roof for a more airy feel inside and extra 30mm of headroom to boot.

Renault is taking full advantage of building the Scenic on a dedicated electric platform, meaning the wheels can be spaced apart to free up more legroom in the back and increase boot space as well. The old Scenic was loved for its clever integration of practical features, and the new one reboots this for modern tastes with many and various cubbies, USB charging ports, a sliding storage box between the front seats and clever tablet holders that spring out of the rear armrest for backseat passengers to keep themselves entertained on long journeys. Up front Renault’s adoption of Google-driven operating systems continues, with an Android Automotive powered central screen through which you can access your favourite apps via Google Play. Like the Megane 100% Electric we ran as a long-termer recently we’ll look forward to the smart combination of tech, style and practicality we’ve enjoyed in Renault’s recent products.

The big battery offered at launch has more capacity than many of its rivals, an officially claimed range of 379 miles more than adequate for most drivers, considerably more than that offered by VW, Skoda, Kia and others and enough to make the Scenic a viable Tesla Model Y alternative. Indeed, we’d argue the smaller 60kWh battery option will probably be plenty for the commute, school run and shopping trip use owners of cars like this typically need and it should be cheaper to buy as well. It’s not currently listed on the UK model line-up but we’ll hope Renault brings it in at some point down the line.

You can order a Scenic now for delivery in the spring, the three-model line-up thankfully easy to get your head around with a logical progression through trim levels and equipment. A starting price of just over £40,000 lands into the thick of a very competitive sector, Renault following the lead of other manufacturers and attempting to make monthly PCP costs appear more palatable with a longer five-year finance term.

It’s busy times at Renault, with much to look forward to. There’s huge excitement over the pending return of the Renault 5 name, this classic supermini reborn as a stylish electric runabout. Perhaps inspired by the response Renault also looks to be doing the same with even smaller Twingo, both models joining a new generation of affordable, city-focused electric cars like the Dacia Spring, Volkswagen ID.2all and Citroën ë-C3.

The electric platform powering VW’s ID.4 and ID.5 – as well as the equivalent Skoda Enyaqand Audi Q4 e-tron – is already established, and all these cars are in the process of being updated to keep pace with new arrivals like the Scenic. A new Peugeot e-3008 is on the way as well, setting up an interesting battle between these two resurgent French brands.