When the Renault Scenic was launched over 25 years in the past, it was a sensation. It grew to become an icon instantaneously. It was the primary of a brand new class of automobiles — the small household automotive, a mini MPV based mostly on a standard sedan underpinning. Later, the time period “crossover” got here into vogue. Inside a number of years, almost each model had a duplicate of the Scenic on the street; generally exhausting to tell apart from the unique.

The launch was on the similar time I began working as a self-employed software program engineer. I noticed my first Renault Scenic within the parking zone of my first job. Just a few weeks later, there have been three of them. After one other few weeks, mine was quantity 5 or 6 in that not very large parking zone. However it was a location hiring software program engineers as quick because the market might present them. The euro conversion and the millennium bug had been on the horizon.

I drove three of them on brief lease contracts, however after I determined to purchase one, the brand new mannequin had a 5-spoke steering wheel. It damage my arms and it was not match for drives of over half an hour. Mounting a greater steering wheel would price 20% additional. In the long run, I purchased a Citroen Evasion and loved that automotive for 18 years.

Now the Renault Scenic Icon has returned as a totally electrical automotive. It’s in its 5^th era. Gross sales will begin early in 2024 and deliveries a bit later. That is the successor to the Zoe the market has been ready for. The Twingo ZE has no vary and might’t cost, the Mégane ZE is a driver’s automotive and lacks longer vary, however the Scenic is a high-usability automobile for vacationers. Most likely similar to the Zoe, the most effective in its class.

Renault Scenic entrance nook

Renault Scenic different entrance nook

Renault Scenic facet

Renault Scenic entrance and blue carpet

Renault Scenic trunk and purple carpet

Normal Vary

• 125 kW motor
• 60 kWh battery
• Torque: 280 Nm
• Max DC cost: 130 kW
• Vary: >420 km (WLTP)
• Acceleration (standstill to 100 km/h): 9.3 sec
• Max velocity: 150 km/h

Excessive Vary

• 160 kW motor
• 87 kWh battery
• Torque: 300 Nm
• Max DC cost: 150 kW
• Vary: >620 km (WLTP)
• Acceleration (standstill to 100 km/h): 8.4 sec
• Max velocity: 170 km/h

Dimension & Weight

• Size: 4,470 mm
• Width: 1,864 mm
• Peak: 1,571 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,785 mm
• Entrance overhang: 842 mm
• Rear overhang: 842 mm
• Weight: 1842 kg (87 kWh model)
• Boot quantity: 545 litres

With a battery of 87 kWh and a 620 km mixed WLTP vary, it’s the household automotive Renault prospects have been ready for. Even when touring with all seats occupied and an excessive amount of baggage on the Autobahn, you solely have to cost when you need to cease for a loo break and to stretch your legs. So long as there are sufficient charging stations at common intervals alongside the highways, you possibly can plan your charging when it’s essential to cease for regular causes. Nevertheless, with the present availability of freeway charging choices in lots of nations, one won’t have that freedom on most journeys. Concerning the longer term, the EU is mandating a naked minimal, whereas most routes may have a a number of of the required infrastructure within the not-so-distant future.

Renault Scenic large glass roof

Renault Scenic driver’s view

At a automotive present, all one can do is sit in the back and front, whereas different fans additionally soar out and in of the automotive. On the primary day after the press occasion, even that was not doable, because it was additionally not possible to take photos. There have been too many competing journalists making an attempt to get an impression, a photograph, and a narrative. So, early the following day, immediately after the opening of the present, the primary order of enterprise was the Renault Scenic.

The designers did their factor with the headlights and hind lights and with the house vacated by the radiator vents. The wheels had been too large to be sensible (19”or 20”). There have been different essential design language particulars that you would be able to discover together with your eyes. Regretfully, the designers didn’t carry again the enduring home windows of the first-generation Scenic, nor a reference to the recognizable form — the type of efforts they put into recreating that older, virtually forgotten icon, the R5, that’s being introduced again as a successor to the Twingo and Zoe. From the surface, the Scenic appears good, however much like a dozen mini MPVs/SUVs/CUVs.

The Residing Area

Renault Scenic driver’s view

Renault Scenic rear seats

Renault Scenic home windows/mirror controls

Renault Scenic seat controls

Renault Scenic middle armrest

Renault Scenic middle armrest storage

On the within, it’s extra of what one expects from a Scenic. It is rather snug, a cellular sitting room. There are many well-thought-out little particulars and devices, just like the pill/smartphone holders within the central armrest of the again seats. Many features are managed by voice instructions, which might be a consequence of utilizing the Google automotive swimsuit.

Renault Scenic rear armrest easy use

Renault Scenic rear armrest use possibility 2

Renault Scenic rear armrest use possibility 3

Renault Scenic rear armrest use possibility 4

Just a few years in the past, my Renault Zoe route planner was higher than the smartphone Google app Android Auto. However Google has certainly made extra progress in software program growth than Renault. Moreover the route planner, there are over 50 different apps on the central console.

There’s a good stability between the touchscreen configurations and operational tactile controls. The spartan abandonment of most bodily controls shouldn’t be for me. I wish to hold my eyes on the street and assert management solely based mostly on muscle reminiscence and contact. Even voice instructions aren’t snug.

For actual appreciation and judging of the automobile, after all, it will take a number of weeks of driving the Scenic. Then you understand what’s nice and the place there may be room for enchancment.

There are greater than 30 ADAS features, most of which you must by no means discover. They’re for emergencies, however the lane preserving, cruise management, and blind spot warning features are value testing. They’ll make a giant distinction in driving relaxed and safely. There’s additionally a protected driving coach. This generally is a bonus for drivers who’ve obtained their license just lately, or for individuals who have acquired sloppy driving habits. But, it may be very annoying for drivers who’ve developed a protected however non-standard driving model. That is one thing I actually like to check myself.

For the welcome tune and the pedestrian warning sounds, the musician/composer Jean-Michel Jarre was employed. He was a sub-culture pop idol within the late hippy period. He was well-known for spectacular open air performances with thousands and thousands of attendants.

To assist the round financial system, 24% of the mass of the automotive is made from recycled supplies. When it’s on the finish of its helpful life, over 90% of the automotive will be recycled. There isn’t any leather-based nor chrome used wherever within the automotive. So far as automobiles will be eco-friendly, this one is.

Renault Scenic facet

Renault Scenic again nook

The large sunroof doesn’t have a center assist on the location of the b-pillar, creating a really spacious cabin. The solar display is included within the glass by means of LCD expertise. When much less gentle or extra privateness is required, the liquid crystals flip to put flat and block the sunshine. And it is usually voice managed.

The upholstery of the seats and the end on the doorways and dashboard is gentle in tone. I hate automobiles which can be like the within of a darkish cave. It makes me really feel claustrophobic. Moreover the now commonplace cupholders and USB sockets, there are good gimmicks to carry telephones and tablets to be used by the passengers. For consolation, there are heated seats and a heated steering wheel. There’s even the choice for a therapeutic massage within the entrance seats. I preferred it after I was drained from strolling the showroom flooring.

The Harman Kardon sound system might be excellent. It has many audio system and was optimized by Jean-Michel Jarre. I won’t be able to inform — like many individuals of my age, my ears aren’t what they was. It will be good if I might configure the identical correction as is in my listening to aids. Value wanting into.

Renault has made a 30-page leaflet [PDF] for individuals who need to know much more about this marvel on wheels. However don’t count on too many details — it’s extra a storytelling by the advertising division than a technical specification or a list of all of the choices. Gross sales will start in early 2024 in most European nations. Count on the specs, trim ranges, choices, and costs to be printed by that point. Deliveries are anticipated to begin within the second quarter.

I can’t wait to attempt it out.

Renault Scenic again

Written in collaboration with Jolanda Vinkhuyzen.