Renault Scenic E-Tech test: – Only the name remains of the old Renault Scenic

Malaga, Spain: Over 600 km range for less than NOK 500,000, with new design, plenty of space and comfort? Yes, that will actually be possible when the Renault Scenic E-Tech arrives on the Norwegian market well before the public holidays.

You don't have to travel far outside the different country of Norway before you see why Renault is a major force in Europe. The small cars Clio and Captur, the old familiar Mégane, the Espace and the charming Twingo are still there.

And if you look at the back of models you've never seen here at home, you might see names like Arcana, Astral and Rafale. They are all sized appropriately for the Norwegian market, but have one big “flaw”. It's not fully electric and therefore irrelevant here at home.

new beginning

It has been a long time since Renault has been able to celebrate its sales success in Norway with the Zoe. The small electric car was a good fit in Norway when it arrived ten years ago, and as of 2021 nearly 15,700 examples have been registered. This is almost ten times what Megane E-Tech was able to achieve during its first two years in the increasingly competitive Norwegian electric vehicle market.

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– Megan falls a little between two chairs in Norway. Too young to be the “number” of the family. “One car” and a little too big to be the “No. 1″ for the family. 2-car,” says Roger Andersen, PR and Marketing Director at RBI Norway, as we take first impressions of the brand's new pride and Megane's big brother: the Scenic E-Tech.

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He hopes that in many ways Scenic will create a new beginning for the French brand in Norway. With a class-leading range and a 'COTY' title under its belt, the prerequisites are certainly there.

The Scenic competes with the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda ENIAC, among others. Photo: Ivar Ingerud / FinanceAffairs

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Elegant renovation

The picturesque name resonates well with previous Renault customers, and now it is revived in a completely different guise to previous versions. The character of the MPV was replaced by that of an SUV, while the internal combustion engines were replaced by an electric motor consisting of an engine and a front-wheel drive system.

It's pretty much the hangover of the old name, plus a number of other good, easy-to-use features, as it turns out. Because Scenic is a thoroughly enjoyable acquaintance, from the time you look at the modern exterior design to the time you get behind the wheel – or in the back seat.

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Space and comfort for four people must be among the best in its class. A segment in which the Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota bZ4X and Skoda Eniac are among the main rivals, along with group cousins ​​the Nissan Ariya, new Volvo EX40 and Peugeot E-3008.

The designers used the freedom offered by electric motors to create a pleasing front design with an emphasis on the logo. Photo: Ivar Ingerud / FinanceAffairs

Far and longer than far

The Scenic is being launched in four versions (Evolution, Techno, Espirit Alpine and Iconic) and two battery sizes of 60 and 87 kW respectively. And with the Norwegians' appetite for range, the largest battery pack will likely be the best seller. After that, it is up to each individual to focus their desires on the economic, sporting or full equipment level.

The importer believes the big battery with Techno equipment package at just over NOK 430,000 could become a popular variant, but we drove the top Icon model on our test on country roads and motorways around Malaga in Spain.

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With a fully charged battery, the car shows an estimated range of 622 km. After a few hours in the car with varied (and not always economical) driving, the mileage and remaining range remain surprisingly similar. This range (tested only in summer temperatures) certainly seems to deliver what it promises, as we didn't drive it in Eco-only mode.

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Even the smallest 60 kW battery pack offers an impressive range of 429 km.

The interior design is pleasant with a touch of quality without an excessive desire to display all the functions on the screen. However, there are too few levers on the right side of the steering wheel for our taste. Photo: Ivar Ingerud / FinanceAffairs

Comfortable car for long distances

With the aforementioned competitors, it goes without saying that this is no sports car, and 170 horsepower doesn't scare anyone away. But as a family car, with passengers, it works very well.

There are careful choices of materials in the top version, the Iconic, while the Alpine Espirit equipment version – the middle of the three with the largest battery – has a sportier feel. Here you get, among other things, matte paint, other rims and blue interior details and layers.

Renault has invested so much in the Alpine name that it should be used for all occasions, and this is a good fit, even if it acts more relaxed than straight-up sporty. It's a slightly tougher version, quite simply.

While we wait for the new Alpine models, the Renault Scenic gets a slightly tougher 'Espirit Alpine' version with special matte paint and blue detailing. Photo: Ivar Ingerud / FinanceAffairs

Lighter than the competition

Much of the range is down to the relatively moderate weight – 1858kg with a large battery – while rivals typically lean towards the north side of two tonnes. The improvements are due to increased energy density in the batteries and deliberate weight reduction in design and engineering.

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The Scenic is being launched with front-wheel drive only as an option, which will of course take that market segment by storm will You have four-wheel drive, and obviously there are quite a few of these cars in this segment in Norway. The trailer weight of 1100 kg is a plus.

Smart and fun

There are many solid solutions and sensible material choices inside the car that are fun. Which makes the stunning landscape a good place to be. The vehicle's 157cm exterior height provides good headroom, and the low-profile battery pack provides adequate legroom under the front seats and enough thigh support to endure long periods. And so do the back seat passengers.

The luggage volume with all seats up is 545 liters when taking into account the large space under the floor. The rear seat back is split 40/20/40 allowing long items to be transported inside the vehicle, even with two items in the back seat. Fixed details also include two phone/pad holders built into the cup holders as well as four dedicated USB 3 sockets for rear seat passengers.

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While we wait for the new Alpine models, the Renault Scenic gets a slightly tougher 'Espirit Alpine' version with special matte paint and blue detailing. Photo: Ivar Ingerud / FinanceAffairs

Positive impression

All Scenic variants are placed under the VAT limit of NOK 500,000 in steps from NOK 362,000 to NOK 472,000, before shipping and handling costs.

The Scenic View with the smallest battery and a range of up to 429 kilometers will suit families without long travel distances, but the larger models will stay with the larger battery. The car's range of up to 622 kilometers, modern design, balanced with stable solutions – and a large degree of recyclability – made it the “Car of the Year” in Europe.

Then it is up to the Norwegian Renault organization to make it a winner in Norway as well. The first customer cars are expected to arrive here in early June.

This article was previously published in Finansavisen engine.