MODEL TESTED: Renault Scenic E-Tech Iconic Long Range PRICE: £45,495 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 217bhp/87kWh battery
COMPETITIVE pricing has been a philosophy at Renault for a few years now, and the new Scenic E-Tech benefits from prices that undercut most similarly sized rivals. Here we’re testing the top-spec 87kWh Iconic Long Range, which, at £45,495, costs £1,450 less than the entry-level Ioniq 5 Premium with the Long Range battery.
Tech highlights
BACK when the original Renault Scenic MPV was launched in 1996, it started life as a derivative of the Mégane, and today the new Scenic SUV shares its running gear with the latest Megane E-Tech.
Both use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-EV platform, which also underpins the Nissan Ariya, and the Scenic has similar dimensions to the Japanese SUV – although that means it’s smaller than the Ioniq 5.
This platform is capable of sending power to all four wheels, but at launch the Scenic range is front-wheel drive, with the electric motor under the bonnet and the large 87kWh battery set between the axles to keep the centre of gravity low.
A kerbweight of 1,860kg is 75kg lighter than the Ioniq 5’s, which will help to boost the Scenic’s efficiency, while a maximum charging rate of 150kW is offered, although that’s 90kW less than the Hyundai is capable of.
SAFETY: Euro NCAP has awarded the Scenic a five-star safety rating, while the car’s percentage scores across the four categories are similar to those for the Ioniq 5. Standard safety kit includes 360-degree cameras on this top-spec Iconic model, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist (which isn’t overly intrusive with its movements of the steering), blind-spot detection and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
On road
A FIRM ride and so-so power delivery put a dampener on the Scenic’s driving ability.
AROUND TOWN: At low speeds the Scenic is refined, while light steering boosts its manoeuvrability. The wheel has a strong self-centring tendency, although this is something you soon get used to. The 360-degree camera set-up is needed to help with reversing, because the view out the back is obscured by the narrow rear window and large headrests. The powertrain is responsive enough away from the lights, although the Scenic isn’t as punchy as some rival EVs from a standing start. However, a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds will be acceptable for most occasions.
A & B-ROADS: Press on a little harder, and the
