Renault Scenic
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a family car that combines electric efficiency with genuine practicality? The Renault Scenic E-Tech might be exactly what you need. This all-electric family SUV represents a bold reinvention of the iconic Scenic name, trading the traditional MPV body style for a more modern crossover design. It’s built for families who want clean, quiet motoring without compromising on space or comfort.

The new Scenic stands out in the increasingly crowded electric family car market. While rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage still rely on petrol engines, the Scenic goes fully electric with impressive results. The design is sleek and modern, featuring Renault’s distinctive diamond grille pattern and a confident SUV stance. Inside, you’ll find a spacious, well-thought-out cabin that prioritises family needs above flashy gadgets.

What makes the Scenic special is how it balances electric innovation with real-world usability. The 87kWh battery provides enough range for most family trips, while the elevated driving position gives you excellent visibility. It’s perfectly suited to school runs, weekend adventures, and daily commuting. The trade-off is a higher purchase price than petrol alternatives, but the running cost savings and environmental benefits make it an increasingly attractive proposition for forward-thinking families.

What's the Renault Scenic Like to Drive?

The Renault Scenic E-Tech delivers smooth, refined electric performance that suits family driving perfectly. The single electric motor produces around 220 horsepower, providing brisk acceleration from 0-60 mph in approximately 7.9 seconds. This gives you plenty of power for safe overtaking and confident motorway merging. The instant torque delivery makes city driving particularly enjoyable, with no lag when pulling away from traffic lights.

Where the Scenic truly excels is in its composure and refinement. The electric powertrain is virtually silent, creating a serene cabin environment that passengers will appreciate on longer journeys. The suspension is well-tuned for comfort, soaking up bumps and potholes effectively while maintaining good body control through corners. Steering is light and precise at low speeds, making parking effortless, yet it provides reassuring feedback at higher speeds. The regenerative braking system can be adjusted to your preference, allowing for smooth one-pedal driving once you get used to it.

How Comfortable Is the Renault Scenic?

Step inside the Scenic and you’re greeted by a thoughtfully designed cabin that puts family comfort first. The dashboard features a clean, modern layout with a large 12-inch touchscreen that controls most functions. The materials used feel solid and well-chosen, with soft-touch surfaces where you’re likely to make contact. The digital instrument cluster is clear and informative, showing all the essential electric vehicle information without overwhelming you with data.

The seating is a real highlight. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with good adjustment range to help drivers of all sizes find their ideal position. The rear seats are particularly impressive, offering generous legroom and headroom for adult passengers. Three individual rear seats can slide and recline independently, maximising flexibility. Storage solutions are abundant throughout the cabin, with large door pockets, multiple cup holders, and cleverly designed compartments. The panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel, while excellent sound insulation keeps road and wind noise to a minimum.

The Renault Scenic E-Tech represents a bold and largely successful reinvention of a family car icon. It delivers genuine electric vehicle benefits while maintaining the practicality and comfort that families need. The interior space is excellent, the ride quality refined, and the electric drivetrain provides smooth, quiet performance that transforms daily driving. The 379-mile range capability addresses most range anxiety concerns, making it viable for longer family trips.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Renault Scenic Expensive to Run?

As an electric vehicle, the Scenic offers compelling running cost advantages over traditional petrol or diesel family cars. Electricity is significantly cheaper than fuel, with home charging costing roughly equivalent to 100+ MPG in a conventional car. Public rapid charging is more expensive but still cheaper than filling up with petrol. Company car drivers benefit from minimal benefit-in-kind tax rates, making it an attractive option for business use.

The higher purchase price is the main consideration, with the Scenic costing more than equivalent petrol SUVs. However, government grants and manufacturer incentives can help offset this initial cost. Electric vehicles also require less maintenance, with no oil changes, spark plugs, or complex exhaust systems to worry about. Insurance costs are reasonable for the class, though they may be slightly higher than for petrol equivalents. When you factor in potential congestion charge exemptions and lower servicing costs, the total cost of ownership becomes very competitive, especially for higher-mileage drivers who can maximise the fuel savings.

Renault Scenic Practicality & Boot Space

The Scenic excels as a practical family vehicle, offering impressive space efficiency thanks to its dedicated electric platform. The 545-litre boot is generous for the class, easily accommodating the weekly shop, sports kit, or holiday luggage. The loading lip is low and the aperture wide, making it easy to lift heavy items in and out. With the rear seats folded, cargo space expands significantly, allowing you to carry larger items like furniture or bicycles.

Inside the cabin, the Scenic demonstrates excellent space utilisation. The three individual rear seats can slide fore and aft independently, allowing you to prioritise passenger comfort or boot space as needed. Storage solutions are thoughtfully designed throughout, with large door bins, a generous centre console, and multiple charging points for devices. The elevated SUV driving position provides excellent visibility in all directions, making it particularly well-suited for families navigating busy school car parks or tight residential streets. Compared to other used Renault cars, the Scenic represents the brand’s most advanced approach to family motoring.

The Renault Scenic E-Tech successfully combines electric innovation with genuine family car practicality. It offers excellent interior space, refined electric performance, and impressive range capability in an attractive crossover package. The cabin is thoughtfully designed with families in mind, featuring flexible seating arrangements and abundant storage solutions. Running costs are significantly lower than petrol alternatives, especially for higher-mileage drivers.

You choose the Scenic because you want to embrace electric motoring without compromising on family needs. It’s ideally suited to families ready to make the electric transition, particularly those with access to home charging. While the higher purchase price requires consideration, the combination of low running costs, environmental benefits, and excellent practicality makes it an increasingly compelling choice. For families considering car finance options, the long-term savings can help justify the initial investment in electric technology.