2024 Renault Scenic review: At last — a fun electric car

In this spot last month I reviewed the new electric Peugeot 3008 and now, hot on its heels, comes its deadliest rival, domestic or otherwise. As regulars will be aware, I admired the Peugeot for its quality, comfort and looks, but Renault appears to be playing a different game altogether.

For essentially the same money, Renault will sell you a car that’s a lot quicker, has a far greater range and is infinitely more pleasing to drive, partly because it is a quite staggering quarter of a tonne lighter. But it’s also because those in charge at Renault have taken a different view to the mainstream approach of accepting that EVs are never going to be entertaining and focusing on design instead.

Is the Scenic actually fun on the road? I’d say so, in a modest kind of way and perhaps more by the standards of EVs than other cars. But it feels light on its toes, responds swiftly and accurately to your commands and even lets you adjust its line a little with your right foot. Will miracles never cease?

It’s not as plush as the Peugeot, though not far off, and it has one of the best features I’ve seen in a modern car: customisable toggles on the dash. So if, for example, you want to switch off lane-keep assist, the speed limit warning and all the other infernal ‘safety’ systems that distract you from your driving, just cluster them together under one toggle and in a single push they’re all gone. I’d have paid plenty extra for that feature alone… AF

Renault Scenic E-Tech Long Range

• Price £43,395
• Engine Front electric motor, 87kWh battery
• Power 220bhp
• Torque 221lb ft
• Weight 1850kg
• Power to weight 119bhp per tonne
• Transmission Single-speed, front-wheel drive
• 0-60mph 8.4sec
• Top speed 105mph
• Range 379 miles, 326 miles (WLTP)
• Charging capability Up to 150kW
• Verdict Good show, Renault – a fun EV.